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.
Yngve Ekström for Dansk Oak Reversible 'Catch All' Table, Denmark 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid-Century side or coffee table by Swedish designer Yngve Ekström for Dansk Designs is a prime example of thoughtful Scandinavian Modernism. Manufactured in Denmark during the ...
Wood
Teak Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk
Located in Savannah, GA
A teak side table by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1966. 16 inches wide by 15 ¼ inches deep by 17 ¼ inches tall
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Teak Bar Cart Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Totally fabulous teak bar cart by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Fixed trays are 19.5 x 27.5 and 15.5 x 28. Teak so it can withstand the elements outdoors. Large wheels roll effortlessly...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Tray by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Scandinavian tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk International Designs. Black lacquer and teak wood marquetry. The lacquer is slightly scratched. One...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Floating Top Walnut Side Table By Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern 'Floating' top walnut side table was designed by Jens Risom circa 1950s. This occasional side table features a 19" square top that gives the appearance of flo...
Walnut
Scandinavian Coffee Table in Pine by Yngve Ekström
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Coffee table in pine by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is a great example of the robust pine furniture era that grew popular in Sweden in the late 1960s. The table...
Pine
Pine Dining Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Yngve Ekström
Located in Dronten, NL
A distinctive Scandinavian Modern dining table designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese in the 1960s. Crafted in solid pine, the table exemplifies Ekström’s commitment to fu...
Pine
Jens Risom Walnut End Tables
By Jens Risom
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Pair of Walnut Side Tables or Nightstands, attributed to Jens Risom, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. They have been cleaned and Danish oiled.
Glass, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Teak Extendable Bar Cart by Poul Hundevad
By Poul Hundevad
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three tier teak Danish modern bar cart/trolley on castors designed by Poul Hundevad, Denmark, circa 1960. Versatile configuration featuring a three tray design, two removable for ser...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment
Located in New York, NY
Crafted of solid teak, with original castors in good working condition, the upper tray is removable for serving, while the fixed lower shelf is designed to hold bottles, decanters an...
Teak
Danish Designer, Side Table, Oak, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak side or coffee table designed and produced in Denmark, 1960s.
Oak
$750
H 48 in W 39.5 in D 16.75 in
Classic Teak Mid Century Trolley / Bar Cart by Yngve Ekstrom Sweden Ca' 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Mid Century Scandinavian modern bar cart / drinks trolley designed by Yngve Ekstrom in Sweden in the 1960s. Made of teak with sculptural handles on either side. The cleve...
Teak
Mid century Danish Modern Teak Bar Cart Server with lift off top
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple mid century Danish modern teak bar cart server with removable top and a lower shelf on casters. Solid teak wood construction. Original vintage condition clean all around. Loca...
Teak
$2,590
H 23.63 in W 30.32 in D 18.9 in
Scandinavian Modern Tray Table by Hans J. Wegner, Oak & Teak, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Odense, DK
Rare vintage tray table / serving trolley by Hans J. Wegner in solid teak & oakwood. Manufactured by cabinetmaker Andreas Tuck in the 1960s. The table top can be removed and used as ...
Oak, Teak
Mid Century Adjustable Wicker Bed Breakfast Tray
By Neiman Marcus
Located in Waxahachie, TX
1970s Neiman Marcus wicker breakfast tray. Same kind used in the movie Trading Places. Wicker and wood breakfast or bed tray. A fantastic piece ...
Wicker
French Mid Century Modern Brass Bar Cart
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French brass and glass bar cart from the 1950s features a brass frame with a stylized bamboo motif. It is supported on large rubberized wheels on the front and smaller o...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 60 in D 28 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Peter Lovig Nielsen Teak Executive Desk for Dansk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and simply designed teak desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk. It features teak construction with tons of storage, a floating top and two sided. Manufactures makings. Cl...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
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 Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
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
Peter Løvig Nielsen Teak Desk, Denmark, 1970s
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage midcentury Danish Modern teak writing table with secret compartment designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk Designs, dating from the 1970s. The desk features a sliding top ...
Teak
Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in Dallas, 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 Rosewood Coffee Table by Dansk Design
By Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish modern rosewood coffee table by Dansk Design.
Rosewood
Jens Quistgaard, Teak Tray, Dansk Designs, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Uppsala, SE
Teak tray designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs during the 1950s. Two handles at the sides. Stamped by maker on the underside. Good untouched vintage condition with li...
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 Peter Løvig Nielsen, Kai Kristiansen, Dansk
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
Sold
H 16.54 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Peter Løvig Nielsen Set of 2 Teak Coffee Tables with Sled Legs, 1967, Denmark
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of 2 coffee/ side tables designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and manufactured for Dansk in 1967s, Denmark. Solid teak legs and channeled sides, table tops has a beautiful wooden pati...
Teak
Sold
H 33.75 in W 64 in L 33.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Flip Top Partners Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
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
Danish Modern X End Tables by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish modern X end tables, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark, circa 1960s. They are a versatile size and can be used as side or end tables, or as night stands. The teak...
Brass
Teak Serving Tray Table by Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
Architecturally designed serving tray having removable handles which click into position on the tray surface. This example is in very good original condition showing only light cosme...
Teak