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.
Stokkestol Chair, Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Rosewood, Sheepskin, 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed by Jens Quistgaard (the genius behind Dansk) for Nissen Langaa, this ultra-sculptural 1960s Stokkestol (Stick chair) or simple Stokke Chair is the kind of piece that stops c...
Aluminum
Danish Mid Century Modern Stokke Lounge Chair in Rosewood Suede & Aliminum
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Uncommon lounge chair designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa in Denmark circa 1960's. Features a rosewood & aluminum frame with original olive suede cushions. All in all in gr...
Aluminum
$15,000 / item
Pair of "Stokke" Chairs by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Denmark. 1960s. A pair of "Stokke" chairs with rosewood rails and original suede upholstery. Signed to the canvas. Excellent vintage condition.
Rosewood
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
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
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
Rare Pair of "Stick" Chairs by Jens H. Quistgaard, Nissen Langaa, Denmark, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Deland, FL
Rare and timeless, these ‘Stick’ easy chairs, designed in 1966 by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Richard Nissen Langaa, showcase masterful Scandinavian minimalism. The chairs...
Rosewood
Rare Restored "Stick" Chair, Jens H. Quistgaard, Nissen Langaa, Denmark, c. 1960
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Deland, FL
Rare and timeless, this ‘Stick’ easy chair, designed in 1966 by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Richard Nissen Langaa, showcases masterful Scandinavian minimalism. The chair d...
Suede, Rosewood
Funky Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage modern lounge chair features angled sides and splayed lets. Sleek design with a thick padded seat upholstered in plush beige fabric. This stylish and comfortable ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$30,023 / set
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of Märta Blomstedt easy chairs. Legs in stained ash and upholstered in sheepskin. Model designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstere...
Sheepskin, Ash
Rattan Lounge Chair by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s Rattan and orange lounge chair by John Hutton for Donghia. The frame is in original condition, it shows minor wear consistent with age. The cushion are newly recovered in a ...
Fabric, Rattan
Early Chair Attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very early chair that is attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll. The chair features a vinyl type finish that is in good condition with a few marks and light staining. The legs have ...
Fritz Hansen Pair of Easy Chairs, Model 1669
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of Fritz Hansen easy chairs, model 1669, circa 1930s. Sculptural chairs re-upholstered in wool, legs of stained beech. All reupholstery work carried out with filling in organic ...
Sheepskin, Beech
$2,880Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 31.75 in W 24 in D 26 in
Pair of Handsome Jens Risom Leather and Walnut Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very handsome pair of chairs in solid walnut and leather designed by Jens Risom and made by Marble. Each chair retains a Marble label. The pair is in good condition--the ch...
Leather, Walnut
$27,020 / set
H 27.56 in W 29.14 in D 32.68 in
Pair of Easy Chairs by AB Erik Ek's Snickerifabrik, Malmö, Sweden, 1940s
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
"Fåtölj nr 186". Excellent condition. Newly reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin. Sold in Sweden through the retailer Gösta Jonsson.
Sheepskin
$911 / item
H 29.14 in W 22.84 in D 26.78 in
Rex Lounge Chair in Natural Oak, Solid Frame + Plywood, Mid-Century Modern Style
By Niko Kralj
Located in Ljubljana, SI
A chair that has served generations and the cornerstone of Rex Kralj’s foldable furniture collection. To date, over two million Rex lounge chairs have been p...
Oak
Pair of Danish Lounge Chairs, 1960s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of lounge chairs on a smooth wooden frame with elegantly curved armrests and slatted backrests. The armchairs are each fitted with a seat and backrest cushion. The cushions have...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern armchairs feature cream-colored fabric with decorative armrests. The plush upholstery, tufted backrest, and splayed legs add to the midcentury a...
Upholstery
Vintage Classic Armless Chairs by Jens Risom, 1950's
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic slipper or armless chairs by Jens Risom-original, vintage 1950's production. Walnut frames have a beautiful patina, newly reupholstered in Brunschwig & Fils linen, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Frederik Sieck for Fritz Hansen Pair of Chairs
By Fritz Hansen, Frederik Sieck
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frederik Sieck for Fritz Hansen, pair of chairs model 3200, skai, black lacquered wood, metal, Denmark, design 1962 This industrial pair of chairs was designed by the Swedish design...
Metal
Stokke Lounge Chair by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
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
Jens H. Quistgaard Suede and Rosewood "Stokke" Lounge Chair
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Stokke' lounge chair by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen, c.1960s Denmark. The sling backrest and seat cushion features a new dark tan suede. The frame of the chair is composed of rich...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Jens Quistgaard Lounge Chairs "Stokke" and round Table
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare and unparalleled quality craftsmanship by Jens Quistgaard with this exquisite lounge set. The two lounge chairs, designed for ultimate comfort and style, feature elegant wood gr...
Wood
Pair of Jens H. Quistgaard Suede and Rosewood 'Stokke' Lounge Chair
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of 'Stokke' lounge chairs by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen, c.1960s Denmark. The sling backrest and seat cushion feature the original taupe suede. The frames of these chairs a...
Chrome
Stickchair by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Stickchair in teak and org. black leather. Maker Nissen, Langå.
Teak
Pair of Stick Chairs by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of stick chairs in rosewood with original green suede. Designed in 1965. Maker Nissen, Langå.
Rosewood
Jens Quistgaard ‘Stokke’ Lounge Chair
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood and suede "Stokke" lounge chair designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark.
Rosewood
Sold
H 29 in W 25.75 in D 26.75 in
'Stokke' Lounge Chair by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, 1960s, Signed
By Jens Quistgaard, Nissen Langea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sleek collectors item is the 'Stokke' lounge chair by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Denmark, designed and produced in the 1960s. The 'Stokke' chair features Rosewood...
Chrome
Jens H. Quistgaard "Stokke" Rosewood Lounge Chair for Nissen
By Jens Quistgaard, Nissen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic "Stokke" chair designed by architect Jens H. Quistgaard in 1966 and produced by cabinet maker Nissen in Denmark. Inspired by the geometry of conical sticks; hence the name, Qu...
Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Solid Rosewood and Chrome 'Stick' Chair by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langea
By Nissen Langea, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Rare Brazilian rosewood and suede leather upholstered 'Stick chair' This stunning chair was designed by quistgaard in 1966 and won admiration from it's release and up to this day as...
Chrome
Pair of Quistgaard for Dansk Safari Lounge Chairs
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important pair of Safari chairs designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Danmark. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, both show significant wear to the black leather...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.75 in W 25.99 in D 26.38 in
Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1960s Pair of "Stokke" Chairs, Original Leather
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langaa, Denmark. 1960s. A pair of "Stick" or "Stokke" chairs with rosewood rails and original black leather. Signed to the canvas undersling on both chairs...