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 Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
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
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
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
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
$1,082Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Set of Postmodern Brass, Steel and Glass Nesting Tables by Romeo Rega, Italy
By Romeo Rega
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. These three tables feature a brass and steel frame with glass tops. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considere...
Brass, Steel
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
Severin Hansen Rosewood Nesting Tables
By Severin Hansen
Located in Long Island City, NY
Severin Hansen’s streamlined furniture is defined by outstanding attention to detail and choice of exquisite materials, such as the ornately figured Brazilian rosewood seen here. Th...
Rosewood
Wittmann Satztische Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Josef Hoffmann designed this simple four-part nest of tables at the turn of the century. * Ash black stained.
Ash
$4,082 / set
H 15.56 in Dm 23.23 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Large Nesting / Stacking Tables, Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Gianfranco Frattini stacking nest of three tables for Cassina, Italy, 1970s. Rare white version in larger, wider size. Wooden frames in original white paint with reversible laminat...
Laminate, Walnut
French Nesting Tables of Brass with Smoked Glass
Located in Austin, TX
A set of French Modern rectangular nesting low tables featuring three fitted tables, each with an elegant frame design in gilt metal with inset rectangular smoked glass top. Great f...
Metal, Brass
Set of G Plan Astro Nesting Tables in Teak #2
By Victor Wilkins, G Plan Furniture
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Victor B. Wilkins Manufacturer: G Plan Era: 1966 Materials: Teak, Afromosia Measurements: 19.5" wide x 19.5" deep x 20" tall
Teak
Danish Teak Nesting Tables Mid-Century Denmark
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Baltimore, MD
Set of three Mid-Century Modern nesting tables by Nordisk Andels Eksport made in Denmark. Exceptionally well crafted. Undersides of the tables are channeled so that the tables hook to one another when nested, forming an attractive cube like profile. The wood grain is naturally highlighted in a teak pattern throughout, with a rich teak tone, top surface of each one, is in good condition. Stacked set of three tables for easy storage. Individual tables are in varying sizes – large, medium and small. Measurements correspond to the Largest of the Nesting Tables. Great vintage condition, retains original label on the underside: (Nordisk Andels Eksport). Modern Danish Style, Mid-Century Modern retro nesting...
Teak
Pair nesting tables Gianfranco Frattini in style 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice pair of nesting tables .Dark Brown stained Wood . Fitting on top of each other . Gianfranco Frattini in style
Wood
G Plan Astro Tile Top Nesting Tables in Teak #3
By G Plan Furniture, Victor Wilkins
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Victor B. Wilkins Manufacturer: G Plan Era: 1966 Materials: Teak, Afromosia, Tile Measurements: 19.5″ wide x 19.5″ deep x 20″ tall
Teak
Vintage Teak Triform Nesting Tables by McIntosh Set of 3
By A.H. MacIntosh & Company
Located in High Point, NC
A beautifully designed and highly functional Mid-Century Modern nesting table set by A.H. McIntosh & Company, Scotland, a distinguished manufacturer known for its exceptional cra...
Teak
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
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
Pair of Jens H. Quistgaard Interlocking Cube Side Tables
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
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
Sold
H 20.48 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Jens Harald Quistgaard Tritico Scandinavian Dark Wood Side Tables, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of three Scandinavian dark wood interlocking coffee tables, vintage modernist, designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and manufactured by IHQ, Denmark 1960s. Set is original of the...
Wood
Pair of Jens H. Quistgaard Interlocking Cube Side Tables
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
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
Sold
H 20.87 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Jens Harald Quistgaard Set of Three Nesting Tables with Handle, Teak 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Jens Harald Quistgaard set of three nesting tables in partly solid teak. With handles and curved edges. Made in the 1960s.
Teak
Sold
H 14.97 in W 14.97 in L 14.97 in
Pair of Cube Tables by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen Denmark, 1980's
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Cube side tables or nesting tables by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen from Denmark, 80's.
Beech
Set of Quistgaard Tables Nissen, Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of three classic nesting tables designed by Jens Quistgaard, produced by Richard Nissen, Denmark, ca' 1970's. Made of teak with characteristic fin...
Teak
Sold
H 19.09 in W 19.45 in D 19.09 in
Three Jens Quistgaard Danish Modern Solid Teak Nesting Tables, 1970s
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare set of three simple and refined Danish Mid-Century Modern sculptural solid teak nesting tables with finger jointed corners. Designed by p...
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 20.48 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Jens Harald Quistgaard Scandinavian Teak Nesting Tables for Nissen, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Nissen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Famous and very rare set of three Danish teak nesting tables with a tray top designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Nissen from 1960-1969. Please note that the set is or...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Nesting Tables in Teak by Nissen in Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Nesting tables designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard. Produced by Nissen in Denmark.
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Cube End Tables by Richard Nissen
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Highland, IN
A brilliant, beautiful and practical design, this pair of Jens Quistgaard end tables crafted of birch by Richard Nissen can fit together to form a cube, or be used independently as a...
Birch
Set of Nesting Tables by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of nesting tables in well patinated teak and oak designed by Maa. Jens Harald Quistgaard for Nissen Furniture in 1960s. Great condition.
Oak, Teak