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.
Danish Teak Expanding Dinner Table - Design by G. Jalk - Glostrup Mobelfabrik
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
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
Vintage Esstisch ausziehbar Glostrup Jalk Grete Teak Midcentury
By Grete Jalk
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen ausziehbaren Vintage Esstisch aus Teak aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Grete Jalk und wurde in Dänemark vom Traditionshers...
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
$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 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
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
$2,480
H 28.94 in Dm 47.25 in
Round Dining Table in Solid Oak with Two Extensions, Danish Mid Century, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf, Kurt Østervig, CJ Rosengaarden
Located in Odense, DK
A classic round dining table crafted in solid oak, produced in the 1960s by a Danish Cabinetmaker. The table features a sculptural presence well suited to modern interiors, defined b...
Oak
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
Extendable Round Dining Table by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Göteborg, SE
This elegant dining table is a timeless creation by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by the renowned Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1960s. Ka...
Rosewood
$4,500
H 28.5 in W 71 in D 47 in
Skovby Møbelfabrik, Danish Modern, Teak Expandable Dining Table, Denmark, 1960s
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Stamford, CT
Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Teak, Expandable Dining Table, Denmark, 1960s A fully refinished teak expandable dining table designed and produced by Skovby Møbe...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Teak Expandable Dining Table
By Dyrlund
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern expandable dining table, circa 1970’s by Dyrlund. Featuring richly grained, gleaming teak and smooth, clean lines characteristic of classic Danish design...
Teak
Danish Modern Expanding Teak Dining Table by Faarup Mobelfabrik
By Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 28.50in H x 68in W - 105in W x 35.50in D 2x Extension Leaf 18.50in ________________________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern ...
Teak, Wood
$2,480
H 28.75 in Dm 44.89 in
Mid-Century Round Oak Dining Table with Three Extensions, Danish Modern, 1960s
By CJ Rosengaarden, Kurt Østervig, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful Danish dining table crafted in solid oak, made in the 1960s by a skilled cabinetmaker. The table combines sculptural presence with practical functionality, making it a ti...
Oak
$2,580
H 29.34 in Dm 47.25 in
Danish Mid Century, Round Dining Table in Solid Oak with Two Extensions, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf, Kurt Østervig, CJ Rosengaarden
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern dining table crafted in solid oak, produced by a Danish cabinetmaker in the 1960s. The table features a refined sculptural appearance with elegantly curved le...
Oak
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
$943
H 19.3 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
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
Danish Modern Expanding Teak Dining Table
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exquisite mid-century modern teak dining table, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, is a stunning addition to any dining space. Its clever design features two 25.75-inch extens...
Oak, Teak
1960s extendable Dining Table, CJ Rosengaarden
By CJ Rosengaarden
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic extendable dining table from the 1960s. Solid frame and table top with two extension leaves in teak. Quality Features: very good workmanship high-quality materials Made in D...
Teak
Round Dining In Teak With Extension Leaves By Grete Jalk For P. Jeppesen
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
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
Grete Jalk Dining Table with Formica for Poul Jeppesen 1960
By Grete Jalk
Located in Handewitt, DE
GRETE JALK (Copenhagen 1920 - 2006). Extendable round table with two extensions. Produced by POUL JEPPESEN Copenhagen. Plate with Formica.Erly version a. 1960.
Formica, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 53.55 in D 53.55 in
Midcentury Grete Jalk Esstisch Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik PJ 2-5
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Teak Esstisch von Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik aus den 1950er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Tisch wurde von Grete Jalk entworfen und ist unter der Modellnum...
Teak
Grete Jalk Teak Dining Table
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1970s. A large and incredibly well made dining table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup. Unlike many Scandinavian modern tables, which typically have veneer tops, this piece fea...
Teak
1960s Dining table, Grete Jalk
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic extendable dining table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup from the 1960s. Solid frame and veneered table top with solid wood edge. Quality Features: accomplished design: perfe...
Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 53.15 in D 53.15 in
Round Extendable Dining Table in Teak by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful dining table in teak designed by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen around 1960. This large round table (135cm) can be extended up to 245cm thanks to two separate extensions and ...
Teak
Rosewood table by Grete Jalk, design 1959's
By Grete Jalk
Located in PARIS, FR
The clean lines and minimalist details of this table make it an elegant and timeless choice. Its simple aesthetic allows it to blend seamlessly into a variety of decor styles. Rosewo...
Palisander
Sold
H 28.75 in W 84.65 in D 33.86 in
Extendable Dining Table by Glostrup Furniture Factory, Denmark, 1960s
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Ranst, VAN
Beautiful dining table designed by Grete Jalk and produced by Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960s. This table is made of teak wood and can be extended. The table is in very good orig...
Teak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 100.4 in D 35.83 in
Grete Jalk Teak Extendable Dinning Table For Glostrup Møbelfabrik, 1960, Denmark
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in The Hague, NL
This teak extendable dining table have been designed in the 1960s by the leading Danish designer Greta Jalk and manufactured for Glostrup Møbelfabrik. The table is characterized b...
Teak
Sold
H 28.75 in W 47.25 in D 33.47 in
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
Vintage Danish Extendable Teak Dining Table by Grete Jalk
By Povl Dinesen, Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern extension dining table designed by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark circa 1960's. This piece is constructed with true craftsmanship featuring opposing vertica...
Teak
Sold
H 28.35 in W 53.55 in D 53.55 in
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. Dimensions (W x D x H): 136 ( 245 ) x 136 x 72 cm.
Formica, Rosewood