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.
Dansk Designs France Silver-Plated Spiral Tapered Candlesticks, Candle Holder
By Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
French Mid-Century Modern Dansk designs spiral tapered floral candle holders. Marked underneath Dansk Designs France B V. Holds 12 candles. A-90...
Metal
$899 / set
H 12.75 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Antique English Edwardian Silver Plated Candlesticks
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique silver plated candlesticks are hallmarked "W.S.&Co." which we are unable to identify specifically, but believe t...
Metal
Silver Plate Floral Leaf Candle Stick Holder, Four Candles
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Silver plated four candle stick with leave design on circular based. Includes four tapers or four flower trumpets with metals nibs (1/2 in diameter)
Silver Plate
Pair of Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique silver plated Corinthian candlesticks having pretty shaped removable sconces to the top and supported by attractive circular re...
Silver Plate
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 1.38 in D 4.88 in
19th Century Georgian, Sheffield Silver Plate Candlesticks, Pair
By Sheffield
Located in Soquel, CA
19th Century Georgian, Sheffield Silver Plate Candlesticks, Pair Pair of English, Georgian, George IV Sheffield silver plate candlesticks. Vintage, distressed silver finish. Silver ...
Sheffield Plate, Copper
$1,400 / set
H 12.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Antique English Edwardian Silver Plated Candlesticks, Circa 1900's
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique English Edwardian silver plated candlesticks, Circa 1900's.
Silver Plate
$3,900 / set
H 12 in Dm 4 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Silver Plated Fabergé Centerpiece Candle Holders
By Fabergé
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exceptional pair of mid-century modern silver plate Fabergé centerpiece candle holders exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design. Each piece features a sculptural dolphin base, beautifully detailed, with the candleholder receptacle gracefully perched atop the dolphin’s curved tail. The sleek and sophisticated design makes these candle holders versatile as tableware centerpieces or decorative accents for a mantel or console table. Measuring approximately 12 inches in height with a 4-inch base diameter, they are perfectly proportioned to create a striking focal point while maintaining elegance. In pristine, brand-new condition, these candle holders come with their original packaging box, making them an ideal choice for collectors or as a luxurious gift. A stunning combination of artistry and functionality, these Fabergé candle holders...
Silver Plate
$605
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 4.73 in
Antique Napkin Holder Decorative Butterfly Silver Plated Table Ware
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Butterfly Napkin Holder Decorative Silver-Plated Tableware A charming and highly decorative vintage butterfly-themed table accessory set comprising an elegant butterfly napki...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Other, Silver Leaf
$875 / set
H 14 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
A Fine Pair of English Silver Plate Columnar Neoclassical Style Candlesticks
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality pair of stately English silver plate fluted columnar candlesticks in the Neoclassical style. This tall pair of candlesticks is decorated with Corinthian capitals with ...
Silver Plate
Vintage Silver Plate Tray Featuring Ornate Engraved designs by Lanthe 1960
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This item is a vintage silver-plated serving tray featuring ornate engraved designs and a decorated border, produced by Viners of Sheffield based on similar antique designs This ite...
Silver Plate
$1,510 / set
H 6.5 in W 9.65 in D 4.14 in
1950 Christofle Design France Silver Metal Bottle Holder and Bowl
By Christofle
Located in Brescia, IT
Bottle Holder and Bowl Christofle, France 1950 Silver Metal Shell small difect at the bottle holder (highlighted in the picture) Christofle Mark impressed bottle holder h 16.5 / w...
Metal
$650 / set
H 11 in W 5.63 in D 5.63 in
Pair Of Antique Regency Sheffield Plate Silver Candlesticks 1825
Located in Doraville, GA
An antique pair of English Regency Sheffield plate candlesticks. The candlesticks are unmarked as many English Sheffield plate pieces are, they date from the first quarter of the 19t...
Sheffield Plate
$1,295 / set
H 18.5 in W 13.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Antique Barker-Ellis Silver Plated Convertible Candelabras/Candlesticks
By Barker Ellis Silver Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique silver plated convertible candelabras were made by the renowned Barker-Ellis Silver company of England and date to approxim...
Silver Plate