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.
Jens Quistgaard pair of cast iron and brass candlesticks for Dansk .Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great design in this pair of cast iron candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard , by Dansk, marked JHQ plus Denmark .
Iron
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
Large Quistgaard Bowl Made In Teak By Jens Harald Quistgaard From 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
This large teak bowl was designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in the 1960s. It is made of glued teak wood, which gives it a solid and practical construction. The bowl...
Teak
$215 / item
Teak Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage staved teak large salad bowl design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens ...
Teak
Flame Stone Casserole by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A flame stone ceramic casserole pot with a domed lid, matte exterior and cream glazed interior.
Ceramic
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
Congo Ice Bucket by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Barcelona, ES
Congo ice bucket designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960's. Teak wood and orange plastic interior for the ice cubes. A cla...
Plastic, Wood, 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
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
Jens Quistgaard Slatted Rosewood Tray for Dansk "Rare Woods" Collection
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tray designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansks Rare Woods collection, c.1960s, Denmark features sculpted Rosewood with dowel handles and slatted wood along the tray. Dansk is one of...
Rosewood
Tray Table Attributed to Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, 1960s
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
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
Early Chafing Dish /Pot Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Fondue Pot Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk A wood stand sometimes comes with this form. It is not with this pot. Chip to wood ...
Brass
Teak Serving Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage staved teak serving bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens Qu...
Teak
Round Small Teak Cutting Board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage round cutting board in end-grain teak by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Great for use a charcuterie or serving board. Marked "Dansk Designs Den...
Teak
Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Genarp, SE
Danish mid-century candleholders in silver plated bras by Jens Quistgaard. The candleholders are a rare model not often found and a beautiful examples of midcentury design. The c...
Silver, Brass
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
Teak Salad Serving Bowls by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Pair
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Stamford, CT
The enduring sensibility of Danish design has proven timeless, with both vintage and contemporary pieces continuing to captivate collectors worldwide. Dansk exemplifies this lasting ...
Teak
Vintage Danish Cast Iron Adjustable Candlestick by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark 1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Geneva, CH
vintage cast iron adjustable candlestick made in Denmark by Jens Quistgaard produced by Dansk ca. 1960 H 48 x D 20 cm Signed under the base
Iron
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
Vintage Jens Quistgaard Pair of Gondola Trays for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Jens Quistgaard pair of gondola trays for Dansk Slight variation in stain. Both signed. Different branded year marks.
Teak
Teak Serving Spoons by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of hand carved teak serving spoons with curved elongated handles.
Teak
Silvered Metal CandleHolder by Jens Quistgaard, 1970s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brussels, BE
Silvered Metal CandleHolder by Jens Quistgaard, 1970s
Metal
Pair of Mid Century Modern brass candle holders by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of beautiful Mid Century Modern candle holders done in solid brass, designed by Jens Quistgaard. They feature gorgeous design with 5 candle holde...
Brass
Jens H Quistgaard set of 4 candlesticks in silver metal
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Grenoble, FR
Silver metal candle holder by j. H. Quistgaard for dansk designs (American firm which published Scandinavian design . Denmark around 1960. Marked on the reverse dansk designs denmar...
Silver, Brass
Lacquered Serving Tray by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A turquoise lacquered wood tray with broad, indented handles.
Wood
Slatted Rosewood Tray by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully constructed Brazilian rosewood serving tray, comprised of ten radius backed slats with fingered tenons mortised through the oval formed sid...
Rosewood
Rare Hot Chocolate Pot Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Victoria, BC
Very rare flame stone hot chocolate pot designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1950s. No chips or cracks. Some light scuffing on the surface.
Stone