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 Dansk, Yngve Ekström
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
Jens Harald Quistgaard Dansk Denmark reverse top teak occasional side table
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Classic Dansk woodwork creates a beautifully shaped, removable and reverse able tray top . The sculptor Jens Harald Quistgaard worked with solid wood, bonding three layers of teak...
Teak
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in Dm 19.5 in
Side Table or Fruit Bowl Attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden
By Dux of Sweden, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Side table / fruit bowl attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard dor DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. The table has a removable concaved top that can be used as a try and is in very good vint...
Teak
Pine Dining Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Axel Einar Hjorth
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
$2,190 / item
H 17.5 in Dm 14.5 in
Vintage Hans C. Andersen for Artex Occasional Side Table, Teak, Denmark, 1960's
By Hans C. Andersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare occasional side table by Hans C. Andersen for Artex. Denmark, 1960's Teak. 2x available. Newly refinished, in excellent condition.
Teak
$1,096Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in Dm 14.18 in
1960s Danish Solid Oak Side Table by Arne Basse for Knabstrup
By Arne Basse
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare solid oak side table designed by Arne Basse for Knabstrup, Denmark, in the 1960s. Showcasing timeless mid-century craftsmanship and Scandinavian design, this sturdy piece is id...
Oak
$2,990 / item
H 17.5 in Dm 14.5 in
Vintage Hans C. Andersen for Artex Occasional Side Table, Teak, Denmark, 1960's
By Hans C. Andersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare occasional side table by Hans C. Andersen for Artex. The orange formica top was not seen on many of these tables and remains the hardest version to find. Denmark, 196...
Teak, Formica
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 32 in D 16 in
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sofa Table by Jens Quistgaard, 1960
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish small side, sofa table made of hand carved teakwood, designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard in good condition. Wear consistent with age an...
Teak
Teak side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Teak. H: 44 cm Diameter: 55.5 cm
Teak
$2,527
H 18.51 in W 55.12 in D 33.08 in
Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Genarp, SE
A brutalist Swedish modern coffee table in solid pine designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is made in solid pine and is mounted and dismantled by screwing...
Pine
Scandinavian Side Table in Solid Pine by Yngve Ekström
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Side Table in Solid Pine by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1970s Striking Scandinavian side table designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese in the 1970s. Crafted entirely from solid...
Pine
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 17 in Dm 19.5 in
Pair of Teak Tray Side Tables Attributed to Jens Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden
By Dux of Sweden, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of staved teak tray side tables attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. The tables have a removable concaved top that can be used as a tray...
Teak
Dining Table by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining table or desk designed by Yngve Ekstrom, produced by Swedese, Sweden, 1960s. Very good condition with small signs of usage.
Pine
YNGVE EKSTRÖM Teak Guitar Pick Table
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Tucson, AZ
Beautiful triangle shaped teak side table with brass inserts and wonderfully sculpted, bent legs. This table is the epidemy of mid-century design: lightweight, comfortable, and love...
Brass
$2,600 / set
H 18 in W 23 in D 16 in
Set of 3 Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Nesting Side Occasional Tables Mint!
By Morredi
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 3 Danish Mid-Century Modern teak nesting side occasional tables mint!
Teak
Danish Teak Side Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Danish made side table in teak wood. Doweled legs and magazine shelf. Please confirm location.
Teak
Brutalist Oak Side Table with Tiles, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Side table in solid oak with inset tiles, produced in Denmark during the 1960s. Designed in a Brutalist style, the table combines natural materials with a simple and sculptural expre...
Oak
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
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 Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
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