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.
1970s Jens Quistgaard Cube Nesting Tables for Richard Nissen- A Pair
By Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An iconic and desirable pair of tables designed by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen. Wonderful exposed joinery on the sides of the tables, playful circular openings, and tables tha...
Teak
Unique Desk or Table Made by Jens Harald Quistgaard in 1953, Solid Teak and Oak
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning Scandinavian solid unique teak & oak table or desk with continuous drawer and slightly sloping legs and two crossed iron bars. The desk was drawn and executed as a special...
Iron
1970's Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Teak Bar Card w/ Removable Teak Tray
By Jens Quistgaard, Nissen, Poul Hundevad, Johannes Andersen
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage original Midcentury Modern bar cart for sale. Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, and is all original. It's made of teak, and has a removable teak butcher block cutting b...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Bar Cart Carrello portavivande Danish Design 1970’s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Taranto, IT
Vi presentiamo un carrello porta vivande in faggio dal design danese degli anni ‘70, un tocco perfetto per donare uno stile retrò ai vostri ambienti . Larghezza 51 cm Profondità ...
Wood
Midcentury Danish small teak table, 1960's, Dansk, Jens Quistgaard, signed
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A tiny mid century folding side teak table, Denmark 1960's, by Jens Quistgaard. Lovely details, solid wood, can be packed flat. Signed / impressed marks. Please note that we often ha...
Brass
Coffee table decorated with brown tiles by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Coffee table in patinated oak decorated with brown tiles. Stamped by manufacturer Nissen Langaa. Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard.
Stoneware, Oak
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Teak Tray Table with Concave Top Denmark 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jens Quistgaard Teak flip top Tray Table with Concave Top Denmark 1960s. Good vintage condition. Measures 24.5” Square x 18” high
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Teak Tray Table, Denmark 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish sculptor and industrial designer Jens Quistgaard (1919–2008) had a distinguished career in Denmark and the United States, and was especially active during the 1950s and '60s. ...
Teak
Coffe Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stokke coffee table designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark, circa 1960. Rosewood and polished metal. Excellent vintage condition.
Rosewood
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Danish Vintage Teak Side, Sofa Table by Jens Harald Quistgaard
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
Mid-Century Modern Teak Bar Cart Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Totally fabulous teak bar cart by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Fixed trays are 19.5 x 27.5 and 15.5 x 28. Teak so it can withstand the elements outdoors. Large wheels roll effortlessly...
Iron
Teak Side Table Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Teak. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise th...
Teak
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
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
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
Teak Side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s, circular, wood
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s Teak.
Teak
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
Jens Quistgaard Danish Birch 2-Tier Round Trolley Lazy Susan, 1970s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare pair of Danish mid-century modern 2-tier round trolleys / Lazy Susans designed by Jens Quistgaard, produced in Denmark during the 1970s. Expertly crafted from solid birch wood, ...
Plastic, Wood
Side Table Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s. Teak. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise th...
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: Scandinavian, Mid century Produced by Dansk in Denmark Dimensions: (W x D x H): 68 x 32...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Teak Nesting Tables
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Manufactured by IHQ circa 1950, this amazing set of three nesting tables were created by Danish designer Jens Quistgaard. The largest of the three tables features a unique tray like ...
Teak
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. H: 44 cm Diameter: 55.5 cm
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
$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
$6,400 / set
Jens Quistgaard End Tables
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jens Quistgaard design x-base side tables with brass metal mounts. High quality construction and attention to detail, rare to find a matched pair. Newly refinished and ready to insta...
Brass
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
Slate Stone Brutalist Nesting Tables, 1970s, France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Brutalist set of Three nesting tables. Wrought iron comes with a Slate stone top. Very good condition. 1970s.
Slate
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in Dm 19.5 in
Side Table or Fruit Bowl Attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden
By Jens Quistgaard, Dux of Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Side table / fruit bowl attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard dor DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. The table has a removable concaved top that can be used as a try and is in very good vint...
Teak
$4,008Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful organic shaped walnut base and silvered glass top. I was not able to get a good picture of the top.
Walnut
Lacquered Desk or Dining Table by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Luca is an elegant and sculptural piece by Jacques Jarrige that functions equally well as a refined desk or a small dining table. Hand-carved and finished in lustrous lacquer, the pi...
Scrap Wood
Oak Wood MiMi Desk White by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Ale Preda, Miduny
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi desk creates a slender, elegant profile punctuated with painted surfaces that captu...
Birch, Oak, Plywood
Max Sauze 'Isocele' Nesting Tables, 1970s
By Max Sauze
Located in Miami, FL
Set of two nesting tables designed by French artist Max Sauze and produced by Groupe S.A France, circa 1970. The structure is made of matte black steel rods and all tables retain the...
Steel
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table; model 4010 designed 1961 revolving top with locking mechanism, solid walnut tapered legs. 42" Diameter 16" Height C...
Walnut
$6,990
H 12 in W 47 in D 18 in
Roger Capron - Coffee Table with Terra Cotta Garrigue and Brown Tiles, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. Mr. Capron was often balancing his designs by incorporating either brown or white enameled t...
Ceramic, Wood
Onyx nesting tables France 1970s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Wonderful set of three Mid Century Modern nesting tables. Striking French design from the seventies. Three Wrong Iron hand forced Metal frames with three original onyx tops. The Ony...
Onyx
$1,296Sale Price|28% Off
H 25 in W 31 in D 18 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak extension Bar Cart Server
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple mid century Danish modern teak bar cart server with two drawers and a lower shelf on casters. Solid teak wood construction top extends to reveal a black laminate center top. O...
Teak
Chinoiserie Brown Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Coffee Table
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive French chinoiserie brown lacquer coffee or cocktail table with gilt painted decoration, circa 1940's, France. Set upon graceful cabriole legs and draped apron, the to...
Wood, Lacquer
$4,500
H 28.5 in W 28.13 in D 18.13 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Drinks Trolley or Bar Cart with Removable Trays
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Mid-Century Modern drinks cart or tea and coffee serving table from Italy, featuring a large removable rectangular tray top of glass with a moulded edge wooden surround, over ...
Metal
Extremely Rare Jens Harald Quistgaard Dining Table in Oak
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Harald Quistgaard, dining table, oak, Denmark, 1960s Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919-2008) is particularly known for designing kitchenware and tablew...
Oak
Jens Harald Quistgaard Side Table in Teak
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side table in teak by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark, 1960s. This exquisite side table features round a round teak top that is slightly denting towards the middle, mak...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard 'Flip-Top' Desk for Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
'Flip-top' desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Løvig Nielsen, oak, Denmark, 1960s. This secretary shelf and writing table has a storage element that ...
Oak
Jens Harald Quistgaard Side Table in Teak
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side table in teak by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark, 1960s. This exquisite set of side tables feature round teak tops with slight denting towards the middle making th...
Teak
Jens Harald Quistgaard fruit tray, Teak 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Jens Harald Quistgaard fruit tray in solid teak, mounted on legs. Made in the 1960s.
Teak
Round teak coffee table by Jens Quistgaard
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brescia, IT
Sculptural teak coffee table with removable tray, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, Denmark. Round teak coffee table designed by sculptor Jens Quistgaard for Richard N...
Teak
Sold
H 14.5 in W 14.75 in D 14.25 in
Jens Quistgaard Cube End Tables Danish Modern circa 1980s Nightstands
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Danish Modern teak cube tables, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, Denmark, circa 1980s. They are an ingenious design and can be stacked inside one another to fo...
Teak
Sold
H 17.33 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Jens H. Quistgaard, solid teak tray / fruit table, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Uppsala, SE
Solid Teak tray / fruit table designed by Jens H. Quistgaard in the 1950s. One side of the table top is bowl shaped so it can be used as a fruit holder. The other side is flat for us...
Teak
Jens H. Quistgaard Oak Coffee Table with Tile Inlay
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular coffee table by Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, c.1950s Denmark features a hand-oiled oak frame with Azur tile inlay along the table top. The tile pattern is one o...
Ceramic, Oak
Pair of Jens H. Quistgaard Interlocking Cube Side Tables
By Jens Quistgaard, Nissen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of side tables by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen, c.1960s Denmark, features a hand-oiled teak frame with finger joinery and circular cutouts on each side. The tables can interloc...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Teak Coffee Table
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Created by Danish designer Jens Quistgaard for IHQ in the 1950s, this coffee table is a wonderfully unique piece. With its statement curved tray like shape and handles, this table is...
Teak
Midcentury Teak side or coffee table by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely teak tray table by Jens Quistgaard. Solid wood tray that is slightly concave on one side. Can be turned around and serve as an ordinary table. Nicely balanced proportions, tap...
Teak