The postwar-era work of Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard 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. Having created serving pieces and barware for Dansk Designs for 30 years, Quistgaard produced striking Scandinavian modernist designs that married function with sophisticated form.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, Quistgaard was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. He 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.
By 1954, Quistgaard had become known for his designs in Denmark when American entrepreneur and businessman, Ted Nierenberg, discovered his work. The two formed a partnership to mass-produce Quistgaard’s wares in New York while the designer remained in Copenhagen.
The long-distance relationship flourished for three decades, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the factories of Dansk Designs, Nierenberg’s company. Owing primarily to the partnership between Dansk Designs and Quistgaard, many Americans became familiar with Scandinavian modernism. In the postwar era, American tastemakers sold the citizenry on the “Scandinavian dream,” suggesting that, like us, the inhabitants of the Nordic nations valued home, hearth, family and good craftsmanship and design, as well as democracy.
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 utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s designs won numerous awards and are held in the collections of museums all over the world. His work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and elsewhere.
Find vintage Jens Harald Quistgaard decorative objects, serveware and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Coffe Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stokke coffee table designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark, circa 1960. Rosewood and polished metal. Excellent vintage condition.
Rosewood
1970s Jens Quistgaard Cube Nesting Tables for Richard Nissen- A Pair
By Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An iconic and desirable pair of tables designed by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen. Wonderful exposed joinery on the sides of the tables, playful circular openings, and tables tha...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 6
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 6 The top table measures: 20 wide x 14.5 deep x 17.75 inches high The middle table measures: 18 wide x 14.5 deep x 14...
Teak
$917Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Danish Birch 2-Tier Round Trolley Lazy Susan, 1970s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare pair of Danish mid-century modern 2-tier round trolleys / Lazy Susans designed by Jens Quistgaard, produced in Denmark during the 1970s. Expertly crafted from solid birch wood, ...
Plastic, Wood
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
Unique Desk or Table Made by Jens Harald Quistgaard in 1953, Solid Teak and Oak
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning Scandinavian solid unique teak & oak table or desk with continuous drawer and slightly sloping legs and two crossed iron bars. The desk was drawn and executed as a special...
Iron
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Teak Tray Table with Concave Top Denmark 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jens Quistgaard Teak flip top Tray Table with Concave Top Denmark 1960s. Good vintage condition. Measures 24.5” Square x 18” high
Teak
1970's Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Teak Bar Card w/ Removable Teak Tray
By Poul Hundevad, Jens Quistgaard, Johannes Andersen, Nissen
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage original Midcentury Modern bar cart for sale. Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, and is all original. It's made of teak, and has a removable teak butcher block cutting b...
Teak
Midcentury Danish small teak table, 1960's, Dansk, Jens Quistgaard, signed
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A tiny mid century folding side teak table, Denmark 1960's, by Jens Quistgaard. Lovely details, solid wood, can be packed flat. Signed / impressed marks. Please note that we often ha...
Brass
Coffee table decorated with brown tiles by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Coffee table in patinated oak decorated with brown tiles. Stamped by manufacturer Nissen Langaa. Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard.
Stoneware, Oak
Jens H. Quistgaard Rosewood Side Table with Tile Inlay
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Side table by Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, c.1960s Denmark features a hand-oiled rosewood with turquoise Azur tile inlay along the top. The tile pattern is one of Quistgaar...
Ceramic, Rosewood
Serving Tray in Teak by Jens Quistgaard, 1950's
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Serving Tray in Teak by Jens Quistgaard, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Scandinavian, Mid century Produced by Dansk in Denmark Dimensions: (W x D x H): 68 x 32...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 3
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 3 The top table measures: 20 wide x 14.5 deep x 17.75 inches high The middle table measures: 18 wide x 14.5 deep x 14...
Teak
Teak Side Table Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Teak. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise th...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Teak Tray Table, Denmark 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish sculptor and industrial designer Jens Quistgaard (1919–2008) had a distinguished career in Denmark and the United States, and was especially active during the 1950s and '60s. ...
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
Solid 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. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise this Danis...
Teak
$6,400 / set
Jens Quistgaard End Tables
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jens Quistgaard design x-base side tables with brass metal mounts. High quality construction and attention to detail, rare to find a matched pair. Newly refinished and ready to insta...
Brass
$467Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Bar Cart Carrello portavivande Danish Design 1970’s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Taranto, IT
Vi presentiamo un carrello porta vivande in faggio dal design danese degli anni ‘70, un tocco perfetto per donare uno stile retrò ai vostri ambienti . Larghezza 51 cm Profondità ...
Wood
Teak Side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s, circular, wood
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s Teak.
Teak
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
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
Jen's Quistgaard x base end tables, Teak. / Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Buffalo, NY
Jens Quistgaard design x-base side tables with brass metal mounts. sUPERIOR quality construction and attention to detail, rare to find a matched pair. Tops have been Newly refinishe...
Brass
Nesting Tables in Rosewood by Jens Quistgaard, 1964
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Nesting Tables in Rosewood by Jens Quistgaard, 1964 Additional Information: Material: Rosewood Style: midcentury, Scandinavian Produced by Nissen in Denmark Dimensions (W x D ...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood and Stainless Steel Table by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Danish rosewood and stainless steel table by Quistgaard Danish, c. 1950 Height 46cm, width 78cm, depth 78cm Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919–2008), a celebrat...
Stainless Steel
Solid Teak Nesting Tables by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Victoria, BC
New to our collection, we’re excited to present a rare set of solid teak nesting tables, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen around 1981. T...
Teak
$6,400 / set
Pair of Teak Side Tables by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of teak side tables with brass hardware. Design by Jens Quistgaard.
Teak
Tray Table Attributed to Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Scandinavian Modern tray table by Jens Quistgaard in solid teak. The table is finely crafted and has a removable and reversible lathe-turned top that is concave on one side and fla...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Danish Chrome and Rosewood Coffee Table by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Modern Danish chrome and rosewood coffee table by Quistgaard. Danish, c. 1960 Measures: height 47cm, width 77.5cm, depth 77.5cm. This elegant Mid-Century Modern coffee table is crafted from rosewood and chrome. The coffee table feature a square tabletop with a raised lip, which is supported by four curved chrome legs joined by two sets of stretchers: one pair of rosewood stretchers...
Chrome
Danish Modern Coffee Table by Quistgaard and Richard Nissen
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
This stylish coffee table was created by the famous designer, Jens Harald Quistgaard (Danish, 1919-2008). Quistgaard was the chief designer at an American company named Dansk Designs...
Metal
Solid Teak Nesting Tables by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Victoria, BC
New to our collection, we’re excited to present a rare set of solid teak nesting tables, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen around 1981. This sought-after design showcases stunni...
Teak