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.
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
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
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
70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk
By Milo Baughman, Aldo Tura
Located in Miami, FL
Textural, organic, and terribly chic. This 70's dining table or desk is sheathed in tobacco leaves and given a acrylic finish to complement its sleek simplicity.
Acrylic, Wood
$24,396
H 32.29 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in
Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this large dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother of ...
Brass
Oak White MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi table creates a slender, elegant profile punctuated with painted surfaces that cap...
Beech, Oak, Plywood
$3,904Sale 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
Custom Made Table Old Walnut and Burned Oak
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Ou custom made dining table BIL. Inspired by modernist design we combined 18th century Italian walnut with burned oak supports. Please note that the materia...
Walnut
Unique, Solid Oak Ernest Desk by Obstacles
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique, Solid Oak Ernest Desk by Obstacles Dimensions: W 80 x D 240 x H 74 cm Materials: Solid oak. Ernest Desk serves many functions, a writing desk, a headboard, or a table plac...
Oak
$1,600
H 29.93 in W 34.65 in D 22.84 in
Mid Century Wooden Brutalist Desk in Solid Oak, Made in France, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
This desk is a classic representation of mid-century design, crafted in France during the 1950s. Made from solid oak, it exudes strength and durability. Its minimalist yet impactful design incorporates elements of brutalism, featuring clean lines and geometric shapes. The natural grain of the oak wood adds warmth and character to the piece, while its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces. This desk is not only a functional workspace but also a timeless piece of furniture that adds a touch of vintage charm to any room. Honorable designers from this French era is: Charlotte Perriand...
Oak
“Column Table” Minimalist Solid Wood Oak Dining Table or Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The “Column” series is inspired by the structural columns of New York City’s industrial factory buildings. The same simplicity of shape that lends structure to those architectural el...
Steel
Danish Modern Tile Inlay Teak Desk or Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a beautiful tile inlay teak desk or dining table. In great vintage condition. This is a trestle style table with center support. The tiles are in gr...
Teak, Ceramic
$17,500
H 30 in W 84 in D 40 in
Teak and Steel Desk or Table by American Studio Craft Artist, David N. Ebner
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
Industrial steel and teak desk or table by American studio craft artist David N. Ebner. Can be crafted to any specification. Note: All works signed by the artist, David N. Ebner. ...
Steel
Jens Quistgaard 'Flip-Top' Desk for Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Jens Quistgaard, Peter Løvig Nielsen
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
Sold
H 33.86 in W 63.78 in D 28.75 in
Flip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen in Oakwood
By Jens Quistgaard, Lovig Dansk
Located in Halle, DE
Flip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark. A top example of the mid century danish design movement. The top piece/shelf is hinged and the table can be converted in a larger working...
Oak
Peter Lovig Nielsen Danish Modern Teak Flip Top Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Baltimore, MD
Fabulous highly collectible Danish Modern, mid century expandable, desk/table, designed by Jens Quistgaard of Dansk for Peter Løvig Nielsen, circa 1960s. A remarkable statement of qu...
Teak
Sold
H 34 in W 63.75 in L 34 in
Danish Flip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen in Teak, 1969
By Jens Quistgaard, Lovig Dansk
Located in Hamburg, PA
A beautiful expandable Danish modern teak partners desk with a flip-top design by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen. This desk can be used either flipped down for expansive spa...
Teak
Sold
H 34 in W 63.75 in D 28.75 in
Danish Flip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen in Walnut, 1969
By Jens Quistgaard, Lovig Dansk
Located in Hamburg, PA
A beautiful expandable Danish Modern walnut partners desk with a flip-top design by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen. This desk can be used either flipped down for expansive s...
Walnut
Jens Quistgaard for Løvig Teak Flip-Top Executive Desk, 1966
By Løvig Design, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An expansive and expandable Danish modern teak executive partners desk designed by Jens Quistgaard of Dansk for Peter Løvig Nielsen.
Teak
Danish Modern Flip Top Teak Desk by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A versatile midcentury desk with plenty of room for storage and a flip top with storage trays and cubbies. This stunning Danish modern desk boasts a rich teak finish, four large drawers, and stretchers along the base for added sturdiness. When the top is flipped down this desk expands...
Teak
Sold
H 29 in W 52 in L 29 in
Beautiful Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Desk Sliding Top by Peter Lovig Nielson
By Jens Quistgaard, Lovig Dansk, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Very clean teak desk by Peter Lovig Nielson - Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish teak Peter Lovig Nielson Dansk desk designed by Jens Quistgaard. This Dan...
Teak
Sold
H 33.86 in W 63.78 in D 38.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Vintage Teak Writing Desk by Jens Quistgaard, circa 1969
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Vienna, AT
This presented Scandinavian modern vintage teak writing table or desk was designed by Jens Quistgaard, circa 1969 and executed by Lovig Dansk. This vintage teak flop top partner desk...
Teak, Plywood
Sold
H 34 in W 64 in D 28.75 in
1970s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard and Peter Løvig Nielsen Writing Desk
By Jens Quistgaard, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Miami, FL
Offered for sale is a 1970s Danish modern writing desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen and Jens Quistgaard made of solid teak wood and teak veneer with a beautiful wood grain. The flip topend...
Brass
Jens Quistgaard for Løvig Teak Flip-Top Executive Desk, 1966
By Løvig Design, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An expansive and expandable Danish modern teak executive partners desk designed by Jens Quistgaard of Dansk for Peter Løvig Nielsen. This piece is viewable at our Downtown LA wareho...
Walnut
Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Lovig Dansk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined architectural desk, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Lovig Dansk, Denmark, circa 1960s. It is an ingenious design as the top portion can be used as storage, or can be flip...
Rosewood, Wood