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 for Dansk Cast Iron & Brass Eight Candlestick Candelabra
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Jens Harald Quistgaard Cast Iron & Brass 8 Arm Candle Holder, Circa 1960. Featuring a balanced, curved enameled black cast iron open candlestick form base, with varied height can...
Brass, Iron
$455Sale Price|30% Off
Jens Quistgaard Cast Iron Candleholder for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
Two-piece cast iron candleholder or vessel designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. A sculptural and scarce form from Quistgaard's ce...
Iron
Daish Modern solid Teak Dansk Butcher Block Candle Holder by Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare design solid teak butcher block large candle holder with brass insert designed by Quistgaard circa 1980's.
Brass
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Pair of Teardrop Candleholders
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Dansk tilting silver-plated teardrop candleholders in great vintage condition. This piece was designed by Jens Quistgaard and is true to ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Set of 2 NOS, 1960s Candleholder Jens Harald Quistgaard, Dansk Designs, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of two candleholder elements new old stock. Producer: Dansk Designs Design: Jens Harald Quistgaard Decade: 1960s Original Danish cand...
Iron
Jens Quistgaard Cast Metal Candleholders for Dansk, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of sculptural candleholders designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960s. Executed in cast metal, the design reflects Quistgaard’s signature ability t...
Metal
Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Iron TRIVET Candelabra
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Iron TRIVET Candelabra Rare Vintage Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard JHQ 8 Light Cast Iron Square Grid Candle Holder Candelabra ...
Iron
$375Sale Price / set|21% Off
Early Danish Modern "S" Candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare set of three early cast iron "S" candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. Nice black patina with polished brass accents. All stamped "Denmark". #313
Brass, Iron
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk MCM Teak set of 6 Graduated Sizes - Candle Holders
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice set of six sold teak wood & brass Jens Quistgaard for Dansk mid-century modern graduated in size candle holders or candlesticks. In fine original condition, one owner set, show...
Brass
Original Candleholder by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark 1970s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Candleholder element Producer: Dansk Designs Design: Jens Harald Quistgaard Decade: 1970s Description: Original Danish candle holder designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Dansk Designs in the 1970s in Denmark. It is made of cast iron and features eight holders for candles. This item remains in a very nice vintage condition without damage. It is marked underneath the base with the producer (Dansk Designs + Denmark) and designer print...
Metal
Jens Quistgaard Silver Plate Crown Candle Centerpiece by Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Original Jens Quistgaard silver plate crown candle centerpiece by Dansk. Comes in the original box. Shows a warm aged patina which can be polished to perfection. Dimension centerpiec...
Silver Plate
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Iron & Brass Candlesticks
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Denton, TX
Jens Quistgaard For Dansk Iron & Brass Danish modern Candlesticks.
Iron, Brass
Slim Tapered Brass Candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Delft, NL
Slim Tapered Brass Candlesticks by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
Metal
Vintage Danish Cast Iron Adjustable Candlestick by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark 1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
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
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
Silvered Metal CandleHolder by Jens Quistgaard, 1970s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brussels, BE
Silvered Metal CandleHolder by Jens Quistgaard, 1970s
Metal
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