What would the reputation of mid-century Danish furniture be without legendary female designer Grete Jalk? A pioneer of Scandinavian modernism, Jalk sought to craft furniture that was both cost-efficient and high in quality, each piece made for the evolving interiors and design sensibilities of the day. She continues to be celebrated for her sleek and minimal armchairs, lounge chairs, coffee tables and more.
Jalk was born in 1920 in Copenhagen. She studied at the Drawing and Applied Art School for Women before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where famed designer Kaare Klint was among her instructors. Jalk completed her studies in 1946 and began a cabinetmaker apprenticeship. That same year, she won an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competition. Jalk also participated in the 1951 Milan Triennial exhibition, where her designs earned more acclaim and attention.
In 1954, Jalk opened her own design studio and began working with major Danish furniture manufacturers like Fritz Hansen and Glostrup Møbelfabrik. She found inspiration in plywood experiments carried out by Alvar Aalto and Ray and Charles Eames, and she quickly became known for her pared-back, expressive designs, which touted fluid forms and were made of alluring woods such as teak and rosewood.
Jalk’s best-known work is the 1963 GJ chair, a collaboration with cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen that won first place in the Daily Mail International Furniture Competition. Made of two pieces of molded teak plywood, the sculptural GJ lounge chair is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While creating her iconic furniture designs, Jalk wore many other hats. She taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and served as an editor of the Danish design magazine Mobilia from 1956–62 and 1968–74. In 1974, Jalk curated a traveling design exhibition for the Danish Foreign Ministry and was named a member of the Danish Design Council in 1981. She was also the editor of 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers' Guild Exhibitions 1927–1966, published in 1987.
Jalk passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. In 2008, Danish furniture manufacturer Lange Production was granted exclusive rights to reproduce the GJ chair, a design as fresh and original today as ever.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Grete Jalk seating, tables and storage pieces.
Grete Jalk Teak Coffee Table for Glostrup Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A teak wood coffee table with very well crafted upper lip to the top and stretchers to each leg having brass details . Manufactured in Denmark and designed by the iconic female desig...
Teak
Pair of Grete Jalk Danish Teak Side Tables
By Grete Jalk
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
A pair of teak side tables designed by Grete Jalk and made by P. Jeppesen in Denmark in the 1950s. Beautiful teak tops with sculpted edges that resemble breaking waves and a useful s...
Teak
Vintage Danish Teak Side Table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak side table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, 1960s Danish modern small coffee table with round tapered legs and frame in solid teak. Tabletop in teak veneer...
Teak
Grete Jalk Teak Coffee Table, Scandinavian Modern, 1960s Denmark
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk coffee table in partly solid teak. Made by Glostrup Møbelfabrik.
Teak
Mid Century Danish Teak Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart, by Greta Jalk, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid century Danish teak drinks trolley / bar cart, by Greta Jalk for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik, 1960s A teak two-tier tea bar cart serving/drinks trolley with large easy rolling ru...
Teak
Stylish & Practical Nesting Tables By Grete Jalk for P. Jeppesen Møbelfabrik 60s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Lisse, NL
Grete Jalk Danish Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables in Rosewood, 1960s – Set of 3 by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik Wonderful shape and condition nest of tables, bring timeless Danish ele...
Wood
Coffee Table with Metal Tray by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in Steenwijk, NL
Beautiful piece of Danish design by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Labelled on the bottom with the paper labels. This table is a more rare model and holds a blac...
Metal
Mid Century Rosewood Flip-Top Tea Trolley by Grete Jalk, Denmark
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Grete Jalk mid century Rosewood flip top table with removable serving tray. Swivel top allow surface space to double in size. Brass h...
Rosewood
Pair Mid Century Danish Modern Side Tables Grete Jalk for Glostrup
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful pair of mid-century modern, teak Danish side tables by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, circa 1960’s. Constructed of solid teak. Each feature elevated sculpted curved...
Teak
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 65 wide x 23.5 deep x 17.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Teak
Grete Jalk Teak Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. An attractive long coffee or cocktail table by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen. Features teak construction with surfboard top supported by cylindrical legs with stur...
Teak
Grete Jalk Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Floating Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Grete Jalk Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Floating Coffee Table. Item features a square teak wood top with rounded corners and four floating form sculptural tap...
Teak
$9,000Sale Price|28% Off
Modern Round Teak Table Grete Jalk for P. Jeppesens-Mobelfabrik
By Grete Jalk
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern round teak table by Grete Jalk for P. Jeppesens-Mobelfabrik. Tapered legs and two skirted 21" leaves. 54" in diameter 96" long with leaves. Very nice to excellent ...
Teak
Grete Jalk Coffee Table Produced by Glostrup Møbelfabrik
By Grete Jalk
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Grete Jalk. Produced by Glostrup Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Rosewood
$975Sale Price|23% Off
Vintage Floating Danish Teak and Brass Square Coffee Table by Grete Jalk
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern square coffee table designed by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen in teak. This timeless piece features brass accents and functions as a coffee table, occasio...
Brass
Round Dining In Teak With Extension Leaves By Grete Jalk For P. Jeppesen
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Lejre, DK
Round teak dining table by Grete Jalk for P. Jeppesen from around the 1960s. The table comes with 2 original extension leaves and the table also bears the design mark “PJ” and the of...
Teak
Coffee Table Made In Teak By Grete Jalk For Glostrup Furniture Factory From 1960
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Teak coffee table, designed by Grete Jalk and manufactured by Glostrup Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. The table has a simple and stylish design, which is characteristic of Danish furnitur...
Teak
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Teak Side Table Designed by Grete Jalk for Glostrup, c1960s
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage Mid-Century Modern teak side table by the renowned Danish designer Grete Jalk for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, dating back to the 1960s. This remarkable piece...
Teak
Grete Jalk Coffee Table Manufactured by Glostrup, 1960s, Made in Denmark
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic 1960s coffee table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup. Solid frame in teak and a table top in teak veneer with solid wood edge. Made in Denmark. Quality Features: - Accomplished ...
Teak
Grete Jalk Dining Table Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare dining table designed by Grete Jalk. Produced by P. Jeppesens møbelfabrik in Denmark. Measures: Width 136-245 cm.
Rosewood
$2,347Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Teak coffee table, two levels, by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik 196
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Beautiful Scandinavian coffee table, a document holder underneath and a large, very elegant top with its slightly curved edges and discreet brass inlays. Furniture listed on the Desi...
Brass
Greta Jalk for Glostrup Teak Side and Coffee Table Set with Curved Edges
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Grete Jalk in the 1960s, these tables were made by Glostrup in Denmark. Each table features Danish teak wood with carved edges that add a ton of character. On the coffee ...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Side Table By Grete Jalk For Glostrup Mobelfabrik
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Scandinavian Modern teak side table was designed by the Danish furniture designer Grete Jalk for Glostrup Møbelfabrik circa 1960s. The table features subtle yet distinct touches...
Teak
Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful mid-century modern, rosewood Danish coffee table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, circa 1960's. The perfect length to pair with an extra long sofa. Features a rect...
Rosewood
Scandinavian wood coffee table by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Scandinavian coffee table by Danish designer Grete Jalk. Structure and top in solid teak and veneer. Sober, elegant design typical of Scandinavian work of the period. Beautifully man...
Wood
Pr. Mid Century Danish Modern Side Tables by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in New York, NY
Pair of iconic Mid Century, Danish Modern side, or end tables, designed by Grete Jalk, for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, circa 1960's. Constructed of solid teak, having sculptural tray style...
Teak
Danish teak coffee table, two levels, by Grete Jalk/Glostrup Mobelfabrik 1960.
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Beautiful Scandinavian coffee table with a document holder underneath and a large, elegant top featuring gently curved edges and discreet brass inlays. Listed on the Design Museum De...
Brass
Grete Jalk Danish Teak Serving Trolley
By Grete Jalk
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century teak wood serving trolley / tea cart with a rectangular form and two tiers, resting on four casters. (Grete Jalk).
Wood, Teak
60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Table Grete Jalk France & Son Denmark Design
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Table Grete Jalk France & Son Denmark Design Object: coffee table Manufacturer: Grete Jalk / France & Son Co...
Teak
Danish Design Grete Jalk Sofa Table, Model 622 / 54 Teak France & Son, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very nice design coffee table designed by Grete Jalk in the 1960s. The legs are made of solid teak and the top is made of teak veneer. It is as if the table top is floating on the...
Teak
Teak Coffee Table by Grete Jalk, Denmark, C. 1950s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Westport, CT
Indulge in the enduring charm of mid-century modern design with our meticulously restored Teak Coffee/End Table, a 1950s masterpiece by Danish designer Grete Jalk for Mobelfabrik, im...
Teak
Round Dining Table by Grete Jalk for CJ Rosengaarden, 1960s
By CJ Rosengaarden, Grete Jalk
Located in bruxelles, BE
Extendable wooden table. Max width: 245 cm. Stamped Grete Jalk and Cj Rosengaarden. Wear due to time and age of the table. For shipping, reques...
Wood
Mid-Century Extendable Teak Dining Table, Grete Jalk, Glostrup, Denmark, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions 120 / 170 / 220 x 85 x 73,5 cm (Length x Depth x Height) Elegant dining table designed by Grete Jalk for Glostrup in Denmark. This table is made out of teak wood and come...
Teak
Classic Scandinavian Design , Pair Rosewood & Teak Tables by Grete Jalk /
By Grete Jalk
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Scandinavian Design , Pair Rosewood & Teak Tables by Grete Jalk / Made in Denmark ,,can be used as coffee table or matching end tables,,, stunning book-matched rosewood,, ric...
Rosewood, Teak
60s 70s Oak Dining Table Danish Grete Jalk for Glostrup Design
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s oak dining table Danish Grete Jalk for Glostrup Design Object: dining table / dining table Manufacturer: Glostrup Condition: good...
Oak
1970s Grete Jalk Teak Wood Bar / Serving Cart with Expanding Top
By Grete Jalk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a bar cart designed by Grete Jalk. This particular example was produced in Denmark and dates back to the 1970s. Crafted from solid teak, the cart features a top that expands,...
Teak