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.
Midcentury Teak Side or Coffee Table by Jens Quistgaard, Nissen, 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 flat table. Nicely balanced proportions...
Teak
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sofa Table by Jens Quistgaard, 1960
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
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
Mid Century Folding Side Table by Jens Quistgaard, Teak & Brass, signed.
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A small mid century folding side teak table, Denmark 1960's, by Jens Quistgaard. Lovely details, solid wood, can be packed flat. Signed / impressed marks.
Brass
$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
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
Jens Quistgaard, Danish Modern, Rare Cube End Tables, Teak, Denmark, 1980s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stamford, CT
Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen, Danish Modern, Interlocking Cube End or Side Tables, Teak, Denmark, 1980s A rare pair of Danish Modern teak cube end tables designed by Jens Quistgaa...
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
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
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 Harald Quistgaard Dansk Denmark reverse top teak occasional side table
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Classic Dansk woodwork creates a beautifully shaped, removable and reverse able tray top . The sculptor Jens Harald Quistgaard worked with solid wood, bonding three layers of teak...
Teak
Jens Quistgaard sculptural tray table in teak Denmark 1960
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
A sculptural tray table designed by Jens Quistgaard in Denmark during the 1960s, combining functional versatility with his characteristic approach to solid teak. Crafted in teak, th...
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
Jens H. Quistgaard Rosewood Side Table with Tile Inlay
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
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
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
$566
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Side Table Made In Teak By Severin Hansen For Haslev Furniture From 1960s
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in teak of Danish design designed by Severin Hansen manufactured by Haslev Furniture in the 1960s. The table is in great vintage condition.
Teak
$7,730 / set
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 13.78 in
Severin Hansen Teak Side Tables, Scandinavian Modern, Denmark, 1950s
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of teak bedside tables by Severin Hansen with drawers and rattan shelves under the table tops. Severin Hansen’s characteristic diagonal, seamless joinery at the corners.
Teak, Rattan
1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a side table, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1960s. The design is...
Walnut
Severin Hansen, Side Tables, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Severin Hansen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of teak side tables designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 16.25” H x 19.25” W x 12.55” D
Teak
$2,105
H 18.31 in W 20.48 in D 14.38 in
Mid Century Modern Side Table Teak by Johannes Andersen, circa 1963, Denmark
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Modern sofa table or side table from teak designed by Johannes Andersen, circa 1963, Denmark. A beautiful side table with rounded edges. The table wit...
Teak
Mid Century Parquetry Folding Side Table By Kunst-Möbel
By Franz Seifert
Located in Norwood, NJ
A rare and beautifully crafted mid-century modern low table designed by Franz Seifert for Kunst-Möbel, Germany, circa 1950s. This piece exemplifies the refined elegance of Austrian p...
Wood
Danish Mid-Century Teak Side Table
Located in Vienna, AT
Side table made of teak with 3 tapered legs,. Made in Denmark in the 1960s. Good original condition.
Teak
Rare Danish Mid-Century Teak Coffee Table, 1960s – Restored
By Niels Bach
Located in Rødekro, DK
Elegant Scandinavian coffee table from the 1960s, attributed to Danish designer Niels Bach. Crafted from high-quality teak, this piece features a clean, timeless silhouette with fine...
Teak
Arne Vodder, Danish 1960s Teak Cocktail Table with White Inset Top
By Arne Vodder
Located in Camden, ME
Danish modern teak cocktail table, 1960s. Midcentury teak coffee table. A modern interpretation of a neoclassic tripod based sabre leg stand. Three carved wooden legs are mounted ...
Laminate, Teak
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Side Table by Mobelintarsia
By Mobelintarsia
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful mid-century modern teak side table with gorgeous rosewood grain pattern and cute bulb like feet by Mobelinstaria, circa 1960. Size: 17.88"H x 22"W x 17.5"D.
Teak
$800Sale Price|60% Off
H 15.75 in W 22.25 in D 22.25 in
1950s Bauhaus Teak Marble Geometric Side Table Danish John Stuart
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Teak frame bears the John Stuart medallion. Top is removable from the frame, and it fits nice and snug. The salvage Carrera Marble was added, original teak top was destroyed. The ...
Teak
Severin Hansen, Side Table, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Severin Hansen
Located in High Point, NC
A teak side table or low console table designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1950s Minor imperfections in wood tabletop surface and scuffs on legs. Overall...
Teak
Danish Teak Side Table with Magazine Storage, 1960s
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Mid-century teak side table from Denmark, dating to the 1960s, featuring practical storage compartments for magazines and newspapers. The design includes a sliding panel that reveals...
Oak, Teak
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 17 in Dm 19.5 in
Pair of Teak Tray Side Tables Attributed to Jens Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden
By Jens Quistgaard, Dux of Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of staved teak tray side tables attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. The tables have a removable concaved top that can be used as a tray...
Teak
Mid-Century Fritz Hansen Teak Wood Tray Folding Side Table
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautifully shaped, light and agile, the Tray Table was created for the staff of Fritz Hansen in 1958. An embodiment of classic elegance and practicality, the dual side table and fol...
Wood
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 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
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
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
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
Sold
H 20.48 in W 31.5 in D 15.36 in
Original nesting tables in rosewood by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark.
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in København K, DK
Nesting Tables in rosewood designed by Jens Quistgaard in 1964. Produced by Nissen, Denmark. This rare and elegant set is in very good original condition.
Rosewood
Jens H. Quistgaard Oak Side Table with Tile Inlay
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Side table by Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, c.1960s Denmark features a hand-oiled table top with round ribbed tile inlay. The tile has a hypnotizing effect for the eye in cl...
Ceramic, Oak
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
Pair of Sidetables/Traytables by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of sidetables/traytables in teak by Jens H. Quistgaard / Nissen, Langå.
Teak
Jens Quistgaard Flip Top Teak Side Table for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage side table designed by Jens Quistgaard with a free-floating two-sided top crafted in solid teak. One side of the top provides a flat ...
Teak
Two Sidetables in Teak by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Two side/tray tables in solid teak. Jens Harald Quistgaard / Nissen, Langå.
Teak
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
Danish Modern Tray Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Antonio, TX
Danish Modern teak side table by Jens Quistgaard, circa 1960s features a removable/reversible top that rests on an X shaped stretcher. This vintage side table or tray is in great con...
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 Quistgaard Cube Tables
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 s...
Teak