Ironically, Dansk Designs, the tableware company practically synonymous with Danish design (“Dansk,” in fact, translates to “Danish”), was the brainchild of an American couple, Ted and Martha Nierenberg.
The Nierenbergs, who founded the business in 1954, initially worked out of the garage of their Great Neck, Long Island, home and marketed their serveware, tables, decorative objects and other products largely in the United States. But they had a secret weapon: Jens Quistgaard.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, the Copenhagen native was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. Quistgaard built toys, jewelry and hunting knives under his father’s tutelage. Later, he spent years learning from local artisans how to produce wood, metal, ceramic and glass models. Quistgaard’s career path solidified during his apprenticeship as a silversmith with legendary Danish silver firm Georg Jensen.
The Nierenbergs discovered the sculptor and designer on their honeymoon, which they’d spent traveling through Europe searching for top-quality goods that might form the basis of a business.
After they hired Quistgaard and launched Dansk, their products swiftly came to epitomize the best of accessible Scandinavian design for mid-century American consumers, who fell for the firm’s staved-teak salad bowls, colorful casseroles and stainless-steel flatware, all of which managed to look handmade despite being mass-produced.
The long-distance relationship flourished for 30 years, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the company's factories.
The designs for Quistgaard’s Købenstyle line and other collections during the mid-1950s were revolutionary, with bowls built like barrels and charming, lightweight monochrome tableware in enameled steel. Quistgaard’s work married function with striking, sophisticated form. He utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware, barware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s postwar-era Scandinavian modernist work is still exceedingly popular in living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens in the United States, Europe and Japan, particularly in the homes of mid-century design enthusiasts.
Find vintage Dansk Designs furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Decorative Set of Two Modern Glazed Scandinavian Vessels
By Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative set of two modern glazed Scandinavian vessels. The tall pottery vase marked "Kragten," the lidded ceramic jar marked DANSK DESIGN DENMARK. Tall vase: 12 in. tall x 4 in...
Ceramic, Pottery
Dansk Sculptural Double-Form White Ceramic Vase, Danish Modern Minimalist Design
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking sculptural ceramic vase by Dansk, executed in a clean white glazed finish with an architectural double-column form. The design features two vertically fused cylindrical bo...
Ceramic
Danish Modern Whimsical Hand Painted Rare Ceramid Bottle by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical hand painted porcelain bottle by Dansk can be used for liquor , oil vinegar etc. you can put a cork or spout.
Porcelain
Michael Bang rare glass vase Dansk
By Dansk, Michael Bang
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare glass vase by the worldwide designer /artist Michael Bang, marked Holmegaard and MB.
Glass
Decorative Set of Two Modern Glazed Scandinavian Vessels
By Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative set of two modern glazed Scandinavian vessels. The tall pottery vase marked "Kragten," the lidded ceramic jar marked DANSK DESIGN DENMARK...
Ceramic, Pottery
Decorative Set of Two Modern Glazed Scandinavian Vessels
By Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative set of two modern glazed Scandinavian vessels. The tall pottery vase marked "Kragten," the lidded ceramic jar marked DANSK DESIGN DENMARK. M...
Ceramic, Pottery
Midcentury Striped Holmegaard Art GlassGlass Vase by Michael Bang , 1960s
By Holmegaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Dating from the 1960s this unique hand-blown art glass vase by Michael Bang was made at Holmegaard in Denmark. Beautiful vintage condition.
Glass
Contemporary Danish Design White Ceramic Vase with Textured Spout
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Danish design textured white ceramic vase. Bubble shaped top with off center single tubular spout. Single tubular shaped base.
Ceramic
$821Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.29 in Dm 5.51 in
Michael Bang Atlantis Vase, Smoky Blue & Black Art Glass, Denmark 1981
By Holmegaard, Michael Bang
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Danish modern smooth round vase with smoky blue and black pattern in milky white glass. From the series Atlantis by art glass designer Michael Bang for Danish Holmegaard. Beautiful,...
Glass, Art Glass
$2,200
H 12 in Dm 6 in
Rare Dutch Green & White Royal Delft Delvert Hand Painted Japanese Bottle - 1968
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A rare and beautifully crafted tin-glazed earthenware bottle/vase in the traditional Japanese Fles style, notable for its delicate geometric motifs painted in soft, tranquil shades o...
Pottery
$2,511
H 10.63 in W 6.11 in D 4.34 in
A Rare Hand-Painted Studio Glass Vessel by Richard Meitner (1983)
By Richard Meitner
Located in Aachen, DE
An exceptional and unique studio glass vessel created by renowned glass artist Richard Meitner in 1983. Masterfully mouth-blown and freely hand-shaped into a flattened silhouette, th...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Paint
$320 / item
H 10 in Dm 4 in
TRAVERTINE VASE SET of 2, Natural Stone Travertine Decorative Object - Vessel
Located in St Petersburg, US
Giacomo by Haand: A set of 2 travertine vases, each featuring a unique design with varying sphere sizes and tall flower holders. With dimensions of 10 cm (4") in width and 25 cm (10...
Travertine, Marble
Organic Sculptural Stoneware Vase – Minimalist Donut Form Ceramic Vessel
Located in Istanbul, TR
This sculptural ceramic vase is defined by its soft organic silhouette and tactile volcanic surface. Inspired by natural erosion and ancient stone formations, the form resembles a sm...
Stoneware
$1,381 / item
H 6.01 in Dm 12.01 in
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 30.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase, German Minimalist Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Minimalist Studio Pottery Vase, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic...
Ceramic
$1,909Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 13 in D 10.63 in
Set of Two Spanish Terracotta Olive Jars or Vessels
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handmade terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles from Segovia, Spain, 1930s Two traditional Spanish ceramic 'orza'. Unglazed exterior with handles at both sides and green and ...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
$272Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Rare Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Spider Candelabra Cast Iron Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Jens Quistgaard for Dansk International Designs candle holders (pair set of 2), often referred to as a "Spider" candelabra. Cast iron with brass ac...
Brass, Iron
Rare Large Bay Ceramic Vase, Hand-Painted, Mid-Century Modern, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Large Bay Ceramic Vase – Germany, 1960s This stunning and rare large ceramic vase is a beautiful example of Bay Keramik’s iconic designs from the 1960s. Made in West Germany, t...
Ceramic
$550
H 6 in W 7 in D 2 in
Contemporary Danish Design Textured White Ceramic Vase with Sculptural Design
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Danish design small textured white ceramic vase with center round spout on a base of two round spheres. Very sculptural in design. Same shape different sizes available S...
Ceramic
Glass Bowl, Palet, Blue by Michael Bang - Holmegaard
By Michael Bang
Located in Lejre, DK
Glass bowl from the Palet series designed by Michael Bang for Holmegaard. The bowl is made of glass in a blue colour tone and is part of the Palet series, produced at Holmegaard in t...
Art Glass
Scandinavian Modern Vase by Tue Poulsen, Glazed Ceramic, 1960s
By Tue Poulsen, Knabstrup
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Tue Poulsen for Knabstrup, vase of glazed ceramics.
Ceramic
Dansk Hexagon Vase “Brown Mist” by Niels Refsgaard
By Dansk
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage pottery vase designed by Niels Refsgaard for Dansk. Hexagonal shape in the "Brown Mist" pattern. Pale gray speckled glaze with brown trim and an unfinished edge at the base...
Pottery
Dansk Mezza Filigrana Glass Vase
By Dansk
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage blown glass vase in the "Mezza Filigrana" design by Dansk. Beautiful design of orange and blue swirls. Original sticker is still attached.
Blown Glass
Dansk Design Scalloped Blue Art Glass Vase Bowl by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Great color, serene and organic in its form. Scalloped bowl-vase is 7.5 diameter by 5.5 in hgt. In excellent vintage condition with no wear. Not signed.
Art Glass
Trio of White Vases by Thomas, Dansk and Rosenthal Plissee
By Thomas Keramik, Dansk, Rosenthal, Richard Scharrer, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in New York, NY
Trio of white vases including Thomas textured bisque detail vase by Richard Scharrer, Dansk curved design vase, Rosenthal Plissee vase by Ambrogio Po...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Salad Bowl Dansk by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous teak salad bowl by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk. Wooden ware from the early seventies. In excellent vintage condition.
Teak
Early Jens H. Quistgaard Acorn Lidded Jar, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Amarillo, TX
Jens H Quistgaard acorn lidded jar or box with early markings By Dansk, 1960s Early four ducks marking to underneath Measures: 4.5 diameter x 5.75 height in.
Teak
Jens H. Quistgaard Teak Ice Bucket for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Jens H. Quistgaard. Manufacturer: Dansk Design. Period/style: Danish Modern. Country: Denmark. Date: 1950s. Dimensions: 19.5″ H x 9.5″ W. Materials: Teak. Conditio...
Teak