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.
Large Wenge & Butcher Block Cheese Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Large wenge and butcher block cheese tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods collection, circa 1960s. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line represented the finest designs and...
Wenge
Jens Quistgaard Star Shaped Candle Holder Yellow Green Iron, Danish Modern 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish Mid-Century Modern candle holder designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Internationals Ltd, USA. Made 1960s. This is rare version with yellow green lacquer. It's made...
Iron
Three Dansk Polished Brass Candle Holders by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Mateo, CA
Set of three brass candle holders designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. These have a very elegant modern design. The top portion of the candle holder can be removed and then with th...
Brass
Jens Quistgaard Danish Oval Teak Bowl for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A darker toned teak wood oval shaped bowl designed by Jens H. Quistgaard who is known for his earthy sculptural pepper mills, bowls, serving pieces and furniture. This earlier piece ...
Teak
Vintage Dansk Designs Teak Wood Ice Bucket Jens Quistgaard IHQ
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Dansk Designs teak wood ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard during the mid-century modern era. Constructed from staved teak wood, a hallmark of ...
Teak
Vintage Rare Woods Dansk Pao Rosa Cutting Board Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern charcuterie cutting board designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark. This stunning piece is part of the rare woods col...
Wood
Vintage Jens Quistgaard Dansk Denmark Teak Lattice Serving Tray
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully crafted vintage tray by Dansk, this piece exemplifies the timeless appeal of Scandinavian-inspired design that defined the Mid-Century Modern era. Constructed from rich...
Teak
Early and Rare Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Early and pare Jens Quistgaard for Dansk teak ice bucket or wine cooler. Solid staved steak construction with brass elements. Water tight white p...
Plastic, Teak
Palisander & Rosewood Box / Humidor by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A very hard-to-find concave square lidded container, box or humidor designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The box is made of palisander or rosewood (same family of wood...
Palisander, Rosewood
Large Dansk Staved Teak Centerpiece / Serving Bowl by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large Mid Century staved teak center piece or serving bowl with rounded edges and beveled top rim . Early production with the three duck mark and branded Dansk manufactures mark , ...
Teak
$250Sale Price|36% Off
Mid-century Jens Quistgaard for Danks Cube Ice Bucket c.1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century Jens Quistgaard Teak cube ice bucket with black, plastic insert. Impressed stamp on the bottom with maker's mark. CREATOR Dansk, Denmark. DATE...
Plastic, Teak
Small Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Small staved teak bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 6.5"D x 3.75"H. #3650
Teak
Dansk Blue Kobenstyle Sauce Butter Pot by Jens Quistgaard Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A nice sized Koben styled sauce or melted butter pot with wood handle in a blue with white interior in enameled porcelain . Manufactured by Dansk and designed in 1956 by Jens Quistga...
Enamel, Iron
Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Rare Rosewood & Silver Plate Peppermill by Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
A rare Jens Quistgaard pepper mill of extraordinary design, part of Dansk's "Rare Woods" collection is made of rosewood with a silver plated band. There is a hole in the band to load...
Silver Plate, Brass
Pair of Solid Teak Salad Server Tongs by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of solid teak salad servers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped in the handle. Denmark, 1950s
Teak
$920Sale Price|40% Off
Jens H. Quistgaard “Bow Tie” Palisander Rosewood Tray for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish tray designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk in Denmark circa 1960s. Impeccably crafted in palisander rosewood, this sculptural serving tray features a bow tie shape with th...
Rosewood
$420Sale Price|20% Off
Solid Teak Jewelry or Trinket Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and hard to find solid teak jewelry or trinket box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1950s. The box has a removable lid and measures: 14.5" W x 2.75" D x 1.5" H. The pi...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Dansk Designs Scandinavian Modern Staved Teak Lidded Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Miami, FL
Danish modern staved teak lidded ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. The interior is lined with orange plastic and the lid sits firmly on it. Branded with the e...
Plastic, Teak
Stokke Rosewood & Suede Lounge Chair by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Deland, FL
The iconic Stokke lounge chair by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Denmark. Designed and produced in the 1960s. The 'Stokke' chair features rosewood rails held together with...
Rosewood
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Danish modern staved teak bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The bowl is 11.5" in diameter and 4.5" high and in very good condition.
Teak
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: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Dansk in Denmark Dimensions (W x D x H): 57 x 32 ...
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
Assortment of 5 Vintage Salt Pepper Mills Grinder Dansk Denmark Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chicago, IL
Assortment of 5 vintage salt pepper mills grinder Dansk Denmark Jens Quistgaard 1 Mill made in England. Not certain who designed this one. The ot...
Wood
Round Teak Cutting Board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage round cutting board in end-grain teak by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Recessed, grooved edges serve well for cutting roasts or other cooked m...
Teak
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Danish Modern Blue & White Enamel Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of Danish modern blue & white enamel bowls by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The bowls are in very good vintage condition with no chips to the enamel and me...
Enamel
Danish Vintage Teak Plates and Bowl 1960s, Set of 6
By Wiggers, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage teak plates and bowl 1960s, set of 6. Mid-Century Modern Danish tableware in teak. This set consists of: Four teak serving plates b...
Teak
$124Sale Price / set|44% Off
Scandinavian Modern Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, circa 1970's
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Danish pair of salt and pepper shakers by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970's. The Minimalist shakers feature a tapered cylindrical form in brushed stai...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Midentury Brass Candlestick by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant brass candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard, in a sleek, tapering form.
Brass
1960s Dansk Designs Teak Bamboo Salad Bowl Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1960s Dansk Teak and Bamboo Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard Dansk Design IHQ Denmark 5 x 11.75 Maker stamped. Preowned Original vintage unrestored condition See all i...
Bamboo, Teak
J H Quistgaard for Lovig Mid Century Danish Rosewood Desk
By Lovig Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Franklin Park, IL
J H Quistgaard for Lovig Mid Century Danish Rosewood Desk This desk measures: 63.25 wide x 31.25 deep x 33.25 high, with a chair clearance of 27 inches The height to the work surfac...
Chrome
Jens Quistgaard Candelabra, Cast Iron
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish sculptural candelabra designed Jens Quistgaard circa 1960 Denmark. Measurements W 4.35'' x D 4.35'' x H 7''.
Iron
50s Set of 6 Dansk Cast Iron S Base Taper Candle Holders Jens Quistgaard Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
50s Set of 6 Dansk Cast Iron S Base Taper Candle Holders Jens Quistgaard Denmark Danish Candleholders by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Design, 1950s, Set of...
Brass, Iron
$240Sale Price / set|39% Off
Vintage Set of 4 Dansk Mid-Century Candle Holders
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
An array of incredible Scandinavian classic candle holders from Dansk. This set includes a spider candle holder, an Iron and Brass candle holder ...
Iron
Danish Teak Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Mid Century
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Danish Teak Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Mid Century. Curved design with tapering handles and running mouldings to the side and base. Branding to the base. Tray...
Teak
$120Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Cheese Cutting Board with Built in Knife, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Teak Cheese Board Mid-Century Modern Dansk IHQ designer Jens Quistgaard teak cheese cutting board with built in knife 1960s Made in Denmark. Beautiful piece that is emblematic of Dan...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Solid Teak Danish Congo Ice Bucket Model 810
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Model 810 Congo ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. The solid teak, Danish made ice bucket was designed in 1958. Distinguished for its elegant Scandinavian design and expert cra...
Teak
Pair of Easy Chairs in Rosewood & Steel Frame by Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Rosewood and Chromium Plated Steel Frame, Seat Cushion and Back Upholstered with Brown Suede by Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1960's Additional Information: Materia...
Rosewood, Suede
Pair of 1950s Jens Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1950s Jens Quistgaard Brass Candlesticks for Dansk. Executed in solid brass, these candlesticks are one of Quistgaard's most no...
Brass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Staved Teak Banded Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk IHQ
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice, freshly oiled, lidded, staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in excellent condition and retains its original black plastic ice liner...
Teak
Nest of Three Staved Teak Serving Trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Complete set of three staved teak serving trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Designed with a slight size disparity (small, medium, and large) to allow the trays to nest together whe...
Teak
$200Sale Price / set|69% Off
Danish Modern Teak Handled Serving Tray and Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chicago, IL
A truly hard-to-find matched set of Dansk Danish modern teak bowl and tray serveware designed by Jens Quistgaard. A very large handled serving tray is accompanied by a shallow servin...
Teak
Small Jens Qiuistgaard Dansk Denmark Teak Bowl
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Smaller size Dansk bowl. One I have never seen. Turned teak wood. Fine condition possibly never used. Marked JHQ Dansk Denmark.
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
Scandinavian Teak Tray by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Montreal, QC
Scandinavian teak tray by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design Marked under base: Staved teak dansk design danmark JHQ.
Teak
Vintage Dansk Jens Quistgaard Teak Wood Brass Candleholder
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Dansk International Designs Teak Wood & Brass Candle Holder By Jens Quistgaard Midcentury Danish modern teak and brass candleholder by Dansk. Mi...
Brass
Jens Quistgaard Richard Nissen Rosewood Ice Bucket, Denmark, 1960s
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Round Top, TX
Staved rosewood ice bucket designed by Richard Nissen for his own company Nissen in Denmark during the 1960s. This piece is also often attributed as having been designed by Jens Quis...
Plastic, Rosewood
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk "Congo" Teak Ice Bucket, Model 810, Danish Modern IHQ
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Carlos, CA
An outstanding example of the Dansk Congo ice bucket — Model 810 — designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The Congo stands as one of the most ce...
Plastic, Teak
Jens Quistgaard Staved Teak Bowl for Dansk Design, Denmark, 1950s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Utrecht, NL
Jens H. Quistgaard set out to design beautiful things for everyday use, which is an essentially Scandinavian approach to design in general. Over the course of his prolific and varied design career, Jens Quistgaard created objects that are a meditation on the possibilities of shape for a common household object. Intriguing and fantastical, the variety of forms the sculptor manifested expand the vocabulary of functional design, calling on an array of familiar references including natural shapes. This solid wood bowl is a beautiful example of this, with an organic shape and an immediately visible level of craftsmanship. This rare model is an early iteration of the teak Viking...
Wood
Cast Iron and Brass Candleholder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Cast Iron and Brass Candleholder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, 1960s Mid-Century - Decoration - Candleholders Measures : 12cmx12cm H:17cm Materials : Cast Iron - Brass A mi...
Brass, Iron
Set of There (3) Salt and Pepper Mill Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Desi
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a set of there (3) salt and pepper mill designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. Crafted from solid teak and features a distinctive dual-function design...
Teak
Pair of Stokke Lounge Chairs by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
'Stokke' lounge chair by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Denmark, designed and produced in the 1960s. The 'Stokke' chair features Rosewood rails held together with chrome p...
Steel, Chrome
Butter Knives Mid-Century Fjord Jens Quistgaard Dansk Design
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of butter knives mid-century "Fjord" pattern originally designed by Jens Quistgaard in 1954 for Dansk Designs. Stamped , made in Germany, Early ducks lo...
Stainless Steel
Large Jens Quistgaard Teak Bowl for Dansk DENMARK
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Jens Quistgaard teak bowl for Dansk.
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
$1,500Sale Price|46% Off
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Wenge Wood Serving Tray Made in Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
Dansk exotic teak and wenge wood round serving tray with beautiful counterbalanced design, by renowned Danish designer, Jens Quistgaard. Engraved hallmark on bottom of tray. Denmark
Teak, Wenge
Dansk End Grain Teak Lollipop Shaped Serving Board with Built in Knife
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage lollipop shaped serving/cutting board with a built-in stainless steel knife hidden in the handle. Constructed in solid end-grain teak. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufa...
Stainless Steel
JHQ Dansk Denmark Modernist Acrylic Salad Servers
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Jens Quistgaard acrylic plastic salad servers. Marked Dansk Designs Denmark.
Jens H. Quistgaard Rosewood Side Table with Tile Inlay
By Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen
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
Finely Crafted Rosewood and Teak Reversible Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Finely crafted rosewood and teak reversible serving tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk.One side in exotic wood grain is smooth and concave to the center...
Teak
Silver-Plated Candle Holder Crown Model Jens Quistgaard Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a set of three (3) silver-plated candle holder is a vintage "Crown" model designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, likely originating from the 1960s or ...
Silver Plate