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.
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
$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
$2,496
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
$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
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Italian Ceramic Oil Bottle by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Bitossi is a well-known Italian ceramics manufacturer that has been producing high-quality ceramic pieces since the mid-20th century. The company is famous for its unique designs and...
Ceramic
Danish Mid-Century Modern Holmegaard Blue Bottle
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century Modern bottle-shaped turquoise and white case glass vase with a long cylindrical neck and a wide, flat rim (Gulvvase by OTTO BRAUER for HOLMEGAARD)
Glass
Danish Midcentury Hand Painted Ceramic Vase, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Scandinavian midcentury handpainted ceramic pitcher vase. Decorated with landscape motif of a Danish stone age viking grave built of large rocks. Multicolored unique decor...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery
$290Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in Dm 2.76 in
L. Hjorth Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase, Denmark
By Lauritz Adolph Hjorth
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Small handmade 1950s ceramic vase by L. Hjorth manufactured on the Danish island of Bornholm. Six stylized matchstick people dancing around the cylinder shaped belly hand decorated i...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Hand-Painted Danish Modern Colorful Fish Ceramic Vase, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handpainted ceramic vase manufactured in the 1960s by Johgus Keramik on the island of Bornholm. Two large colorful fish in green, yellow, lilac and black glaze on caramel brown and w...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.13 in Dm 3.57 in
Dansk Danish Modern Sterling Silver Plate Candelabra Made in France
By Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A Midcentury Modern or Danish/Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs sterling silver plate twelve (12) candle holder/candelabra, circa mid-20th century, made in France. Piece also makes a...
Metal, Silver Plate
Rare Royal Doulton Hand Painted Glazed Vase
By Royal Daulton
Located in Redding, CT
Rare Royal Doulton Hand Painted Glazed Vase possibly hand painted by by H. Morrey. Early 20th century with amazing hand painted artistry and glaze. Some chips on the top of the vase...
Ceramic
$190Sale Price|60% Off
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 5.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Stoneware Bottle Vase, Salt Glazed, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Decorative stoneware bottle vase originally used for alcoholic liquor in Denmark in the 1940s. Thick light grey salt glaze with baby blue specks along the handle and sides. Asymmetri...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Victorian Glass Antique Barber Bottle Hand Painted Flowers
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique Victorian-era Bristol glass or semi-opaque clambroth glass barber bottle dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (circa 1880-1905). Essential History &...
Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bird Shaped Bottle, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bird Shaped Bottle, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materia...
Ceramic
$816Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.22 in Dm 3.54 in
Hand Painted Danish Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Søholm, 1940s
By Søholm Stentøj
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful Folk Art style Danish Mid-Century Modern handmade and hand painted ceramic vase from the early 1940s. Manufactured on the island of Bornholm by Søholm Keramik. Camel colore...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware