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
Grete Jalk Teak Coffee Table, Scandinavian Modern, 1960s Denmark
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk coffee table in partly solid teak. Made by Glostrup Møbelfabrik.
Teak
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
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
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
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 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
Coffee Table with Metal Tray by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
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
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
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
Danish Teak coffee table, two levels, by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik 196
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
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
Danish teak coffee table by Grete Jalk with slatted frame, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, Mobel Mann
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Danish mid-century coffee table in teak, by Grete Jalk in the 1960s. A long, elegant table with a warm teak top and a subtly raised edge, set on tapered legs. A floating slatted shel...
Wood, 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
60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Table Grete Jalk France & Son Denmark Design
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
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
Vintage Floating Danish Teak and Brass Square Coffee Table by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
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
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
H 23.63 in Dm 41.15 in
Danish Mahogany Round Coffee Table, 1960s Scandinavian Modern Design
Located in Hellouw, NL
Charming Danish Round Coffee Table in Mahogany, the 1960s. This table has a gold-colored lining across the table and the tabletop. It has a mi...
Wood, Mahogany
H 16.93 in W 59.06 in D 18.9 in
Danish Teak Coffee Table Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Scandinavian 60s coffee table with mosaic by Danish designer Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold Mobelfabrik. Structure in solid teak and veneer, inlaid with a ceramic mosaic on the...
Ceramic, Teak
H 21.66 in W 59.06 in D 22.05 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Coffee Table, Wood, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian coffee table, 1960s.
Wood
H 17 in W 23.25 in D 65 in
Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
We are pleased to present this super rare Ole Wanscher Danish teak surfboard coffee table. Designed by Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik in Denmark. You may have seen the simil...
Teak
H 21.75 in W 26 in D 23.75 in
Square Grete Jalk Coffee / Side Table in Teak
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Grete Jalk Manufacturer: France + Søn Era: 1957s Materials: Teak Measurements: 26″ wide x 23.75″ deep x 21.75″ tall
Teak
H 22 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Vintage Floating Danish Teak and Brass Square Coffee Table by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
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
H 21.26 in W 55.12 in D 25.59 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original Danish teak coffee table by Poul Jeppesen, designed by Ole Wanscher from the 60s. Plain teak table of high material and processing quality. The rectangular tabletop is opti...
Wood
H 18 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Rosewood Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transform your living area with our exquisite Mid-Century Modern Danish Rosewood Coffee Table, a perfect blend of elegance and functionality. This stunning piece showcases the rich, ...
Wood
H 20.87 in W 51.19 in D 21.66 in
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
H 19.69 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Large Teak Coffee Center Table, Glostrup Denmark 1960s
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Vintage midcentury large rectangular long coffee or center table by Glostrup Møbelfabrik, made in Denmark, circa 1965. This beautifully constructed solid teak table features solid wo...
Teak
H 28 in Dm 54 in
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
H 19 in W 19.75 in D 27.5 in
Pr. Mid Century Danish Modern Side Tables by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
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
H 19.69 in W 51.19 in D 21.66 in
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
H 19.69 in W 63 in D 23.63 in
Large Danish teak coffee table, two levels, by Grete Jalk for Glostrup 1960.
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Beautiful and large Scandinavian coffee table, with a document holder underneath and a very elegant, slightly oblong top with discreet brass inlays. Listed on the Design Museum Denma...
Teak
H 20.48 in W 29.93 in D 17.72 in
Teak coffee table, on 2 levels, model PJ 107 by Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen 1960.
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Adorable Scandinavian coffee table with two levels. The tabletop is surrounded by elegant rounded edges. The lower level is made of wooden slats. Ideal as an end table. Designed in 1...
Teak
H 20.48 in W 23.23 in D 63.39 in
Grete Jalk Coffee Table, Teak
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk coffee table in partly solid teak. Made by Glostrup Møbelfabrik.
Teak
H 17.5 in W 63.25 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Coffee Table by Grete Jalk by Glostrup
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century coffee table designed by Grete Jalk for Glostrup, circa 1970s. Made from teak wood with a long rectangular top providing a spacious surface area. The sides have a raised ...
Wood, Teak
H 19.69 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Grete Jalk mid century Danish rosewood coffee table
By Grete Jalk
Located in Dublin, IE
This elegant coffee table was designed by Grete Jalk in 1959 and produced by Glostrup Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960's. Crafted from richly grained rosewood, it exemplifies the c...
Rosewood
H 19.69 in W 63.78 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood 1960's Coffee Table By Grete Jalk For Glostrup
By Grete Jalk
Located in London, GB
A stunning example of mid-century modern design, this Danish rosewood coffee table by renowned designer Grete Jalk for Glostrup effortlessly combines elegance with functionality. C...
Rosewood
H 19 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Side Table Cocktail Table by Grete Jalk
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Scandinavian Classic designed by Grete Jalk and manufactured by Glostrup in Denmark, circa 1960s. The table features a solid teak construction with beautiful grain.
Teak
H 53 in W 130 in D 56 in
Grete Jalk Coffee Table
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in London, GB
Created by acclaimed Danish designer Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik in the 1960s, this piece is a beautiful example of Jalk's talent and consideration. Known mostly for her bent...
Wood
H 19.69 in W 63 in D 23.63 in
Coffee Table Made In Teak By Grete Jalk For Glostrup Furniture Factory From 1960
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
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
H 18.75 in W 26.75 in D 26.75 in
Grete Jalk GJ Teak Coffee Table for Glostrup Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted GJ Series teak wood coffee table with turned up lip to the top two edges of the surface and lower shelve slats to each outer stretcher . Having darker wood strip ...
Teak
H 20.48 in W 23.23 in D 63.39 in
Grete Jalk Coffee Table, Teak
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk coffee table in partly solid teak. Made by Glostrup Møbelfabrik.
Teak