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.
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in Pasadena, TX
Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top teak desk for Dansk Designs circa 1970s Beautifully grained teak with unique flip top shelf flips down to extend the desk for more working space and...
Teak
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in San Diego, CA
This flip-top partner desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk in Denmark has been immaculately restored. It has a gorgeous deep hue, old-growth quarter-sawn teak with beautiful flecks ...
Teak
$2,520Sale Price|55% Off
H 28.25 in W 41.25 in D 17.75 in
Danish Modern Teak 4-Drawer Sideboard by Peter Lovig Nielsen Mid Century
By Lovig Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A coveted and exceptionally well-built design by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk Designs. The cabinet has a door on the lefthand side and behind this door is a single adjustable shelf ...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Vanity or Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danish Modern Vanity or Desk. Drawers on back side. Drawer with vanity mirror inside. 43.5w 25d 28.5h
Wood
Peter Lovig Danish Modern Teak Sliding Top Desk
By Lovig Dansk
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice Danish Modern Teak desk with a sliding top. The desk was made by Peter Lovig
Teak
$2,850Sale Price|25% Off
H 8 in W 59 in D 12 in
Scandinavian wall mounted flip top teak desk with 3 drawers Arne Hovmand-Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A wall mounted teak flip-top desk with a black laminate writing surface over 3 drawers. It's in very good vintage condition without stains or major flaws. Designed and made by Arne H...
Brass
$8,900 / set
H 70.25 in W 94.75 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Wall Unit Bookcase by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Pair, 1960s
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Detroit, MI
This matching pair of Danish modern teak bookcase cabinets was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced by Løvig Dansk Designs in Denmark circa 1960. These expertly-crafted two-p...
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Peter Lovig Mid Century Modern Desk in White Oak
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The iconic Løvig teak flip top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s, Denmark. It’s versatile in that the back shelf can flip down on its brass hinges to create a larger work s...
Oak
Teak Desk, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Teak desk made in Denmark in the 1960s. There are 6 spacious drawers at the front, and at the back of the bar. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: H 73...
Teak
$4,400
H 70.25 in W 47.375 in D 18.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bookcase Cabinet by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Detroit, MI
This Danish modern teak bookcase cabinet was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced by Løvig Dansk Designs in Denmark circa 1960. The cabinet design and craftsmanship exemplify...
Brass
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Peter Løvig Nielsen for Laurits M Larsen Scandinavian Modern Teak Desk
By Laurits M. Larsen, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
Peter Løvig Nielsen for Laurits M Larsen Scandinavian Modern teak desk, Designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Laurits M Larsen. This desk has a shelf t...
Teak
$4,500
H 29 in W 61 in D 28 in
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern Floating-Top Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precisi...
Wood, Teak
Peter Løvig Nielsen 'Flip-Top' Partners Desk in Rosewood
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Round Rock, TX
An early Peter Løvig Nielsen flip-top desk in beautiful Brazilian Rosewood. One of the more iconic desks of its era, the writing surface unfolds when you need a larger area and flips...
Rosewood
Peter Hvidt, Desk, Teak, Steel, Denmark, 1959
By Peter Hvidt
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and steel desk designed by Peter Hvidt and produced by Søborg Møbelfabrik, Denmark, c. 1959. Minor oxidation present to metal and brass Wear consistent with age and use Ove...
Steel
Sold
H 34 in W 64 in D 29 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen. Fabulous highly collectible Danish Modern, mid century desk. This Flip top Desk finely crafted with attention to det...
Birch, Teak
Sold
H 34 in W 64 in D 29 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen. Fabulous highly collectible Danish Modern, mid century desk. This Flip top Desk finely crafted with attention to det...
Birch, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in San Jose, CA
Danish vintage flip top writing partners desk designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk, circa 1970s. This versatile piece offers plenty of storage featuring four drawers and an orga...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 59.25 in D 35 in
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Teak Boomerang Writing Desk for Dansk
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern writing desk in teak designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk circa 1960's. Features a unique boomerang shaped top with a raised lip edge and tapered legs with brass supports. This piece includes three dovetailed drawers accented with solid wood sculpted handles and one organizing slide out tray. The backside is finished and provides additional storage with a locking bar cabinet...
Brass
Teak Danish Modern Executive Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern Executive desk in teak designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk. Features a unique floating top with a raised lip edge and external supporting legs. This piece in...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard for Peter Løvig Nielsen Teak Flip-top Desk
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Miami, FL
Jens Quistgaard for Peter Løvig Nielsen teak flip-top desk Offered for sale is an iconic Danish modern teak desk by Jens Qui...
Teak
Sold
H 28.5 in W 64 in D 38 in
Danish Teak Flip-Top Partners Desk with Bookcase Cabinets by Peter Lovig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Unlike others you may find, ours has been professionally restored and also includes the two very hard to find, removable flip-top drawers (see pics). This handsome and innovative par...
Brass
Danish Modern Teak “Boomerang” Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Shippensburg, PA
This distinctive freestanding writing desk was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced by Dansk Designs in the 1960s. Crafted of solid sculpted teak that melds into seamless tea...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage flip top writing partners desk designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk, circa 1970s. This versatile piece offers plenty of storage featuring four drawers and an organized t...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 64 in D 38 in
Danish Teak Flip-Top Partners Desk with Bookcase Cabinets by Peter Lovig
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This handsome and innovative partners desk has may Scandinavian practicalities, but the coolest feature by far is the flip-over cabinet that folds down to create a large, flat surfac...
Teak
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Dansk Teak Floating Top Desk
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Danish modern teak floating top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Løvig Dansk. The desk features gorgeous teak wood grain and sleek design. Has ample room for sto...
Teak
Sold
H 29.63 in W 61 in D 27.75 in
Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk Floating Top Teak Writing Desk, Denmark circa 1962
By Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An exceptional sculpted teak desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk Design of Denmark, it is notable for the sculpted floating writing top with its faceted upraised edging. The facets are followed through in the rest of the desk design, allowing the edges to nearly disappear and beautifully complimenting the taper of the legs. Three drawers flank the sitter on either side, each with a sculpted teak pulling lip that easily slides the drawers in and out; all drawers are precisely dovetailed. The opposite side is left open with deep compartments for presenting books - they aren’t pictured, but we have four original bookends that are included with the desk to help organize your collection. The underside of the desk retains the original date stamp of 1962, making it a rather early release of this design. It is branded to the underside with the standard Peter Løvig mark. It is one of those desks that unwraps a little bit more every time you look at it - for example, when viewed from the side the floated form becomes much more pronounced and lends the desk a certain Japanese Modernism...
Teak