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.
Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Miami, FL
Dansk is one of the most celebrated makers of Mid-Century table and kitchenware. Their teaks and enamels are in designs that endure the decades make Dansk items highly sought after a...
Teak
Early and Rare Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
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
Dansk Rare Woods Monumental Palisander Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Large and rare ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for the Dansk rare woods line. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line was the finest designs and materials. Dansk described...
Palisander
Jens Quistgaard Viking Wine Cooler
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large Dansk cooler
Teak
Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dansk is one of the most beloved and celebrated makers of mid-century table and kitchenware; whether its their use of teak or enamel, their designs endure even 60 years later, making...
Teak
English Mahogany Wine Cooler, circa 1890
Located in Evergreen, CO
The perfect way to display and serve the wine of the day or night, this open wine cooler is both convenient and stylish. Made in England from imported mahogany during the late-19th c...
Mahogany
$400
H 1.5 in W 11.25 in D 23.5 in
Large Early Stamp Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Staved Teak Serving Tray
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early Dansk teak tray with duck logo marked JHQ , staved teak, Danmark . Very nice condition.
Teak
Champagne or Wine Cooler Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Champagne or wine cooler decorated with heavy red deer antlers.
Antler
Danish Modern Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round, teak ice bucket with black plastic interior insulation designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk (1960s, Denmark). Elegant form with vivid teak grain a...
Plastic, Teak
Pink Marble Wine Cooler
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Our wine cooler is designed by us and hand crafted by the artisans within the fair-trade principles. The natural properties of the marble will keep your wine chilled...
Marble
Travertine Vase and Wine Cooler
Located in Eindhoven, NB
This beige travertine vase adds shape and texture to any ordinary table or shelf. Use it as a wine cooler to hold a bottle during dinners or as a simple vase for flowers. Each design...
Travertine
Travertine Angled Wine Cooler
Located in Eindhoven, NB
The natural properties of this ANGLED travertine wine cooler will keep your wine chilled. That’s the beauty of natural stone: it looks good while serving a functional purpose. Place ...
Travertine
Pink Marble Wine Cooler / Vase
Located in Eindhoven, NB
This pink marble vase adds shape and texture to any ordinary table or shelf. Use it as a wine cooler to hold a bottle during dinners or as a simple vase for flowers. Each design vase...
Marble
Georgian Oval Open Wine Cooler
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Oval Shaped Open Wine Cooler Retaining Good Colour And Patina, With Original Brass Bound Decoration And Original Brass Handles, Raised On Elegant Original Stand With Square Tapered Legs And Original Brass Castors. It is most unusual for wine coolers of this period to retain their original stand, but that is very much the case with this particular example and the stand itself even retains it's original brass castors at the end its elegant tapered legs. The cooler itself is lacking its original lead liner with its replacement being a smaller, lower in height, removable zinc tray...
Mahogany
Black Marble Angled Wine Cooler
Located in Eindhoven, NB
The natural properties of this angled black marble wine cooler will keep your wine chilled. That’s the beauty of natural stone: it looks good while servi...
Marble
Vintage Dansk Staved Teak Ice Bucket Designed by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage solid teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. The bucket has a black plastic liner. The ice bucket measures approximately 6 1/4 inches tall and 9 1/2 inches ...
Teak
Monumental Dansk Staved Teak Bucket Style Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome and iconic staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. This is the monumental 19.25-inch-tall example. It is in outstanding vintage condition, circa 1950s-1960s. N...
Plastic, Teak
Vintage Dansk Designs by Jens Quistgaard Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a charming vintage Dansk Designed Ice Bucket designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Ice Cooler Model 810 Denmark This ice bucket is a great piece for a party or a picnic. A grea...
Plastic, Teak
Sculptural Teak Danish Modern Ice Bucket by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern Dansk ice bucket wine cooler designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, circa 1960's. This collectible piece is made of solid teak and fea...
Teak, Plastic
Mid Century Danish Modern Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very cool teak ice bucket by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk. Plastic liner. Signed on bottom.
Plastic, Teak
Dansk Rare Woods Wenge Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Large and rare ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for the Dansk rare woods line. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line was the finest designs and mate...
Wenge
Vintage Dansk Jens Quistgaard Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-century Dansk ice bucket in teak designed by Jens Quistgaard. This collectible piece is made of solid teak and includes the plastic orange liner. ...
Teak
Vintage Teak Dansk Jens Quistgaard Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century Dansk ice bucket in teak designed by Jens Quistgaard. This collectible piece is made of solid teak and includes the plastic black liner.
Teak
Sold
H 19.3 in Dm 9.06 in
Large Vintage Ice Bucket/Wine Cooler by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen of Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Søborg, DK
Large vintage teak ice bucket/wine cooler designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen of Denmark. Standing at an impressive 50cm in height t...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Danish Modern Teak Ice Bucket for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Danish modern teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1950. The piece features beautifully sculpted deep caramel toned teak as well as the original orange tanger...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Jens Quistgaard Ice Bucket in Teak
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Antwerp, BE
Danish ice bucket in solid teak. The wood shows a beautiful grain and provides this object with a nice, elegant and warm appearance. The red / bright orange acrylic liner contrasts n...
Acrylic, Teak
Pair of Teak Ice Buckets by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant and fun ice buckets by Jens Quistagaard, made from teak with an orange plastic inside. Beautiful proportions and sculpted details.
Plastic, Teak
Vintage Large Dansk Congo Jens Quistgaard Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century Dansk Congo ice bucket wine cooler in teak designed by Jens H. Quistgaard. This collectible piece is made of solid teak and includes the o...
Teak
Sold
H 11.42 in W 23.63 in D 8.67 in
Jens H. Quistgaard Picnic Box with Ice Compartment for Nissen, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Cool, 1960s teak picnic box/drinks and ice box, by Danish designer Jens H. Quistgaard.
Teak