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.
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
Mid-Century Modern Danish Chrome and Rosewood Coffee Table by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Modern Danish chrome and rosewood coffee table by Quistgaard. Danish, c. 1960 Measures: height 47cm, width 77.5cm, depth 77.5cm. This elegant Mid-Century Modern coffee table is crafted from rosewood and chrome. The coffee table feature a square tabletop with a raised lip, which is supported by four curved chrome legs joined by two sets of stretchers: one pair of rosewood stretchers...
Chrome
Trio of Maison Jansen French Round Brass Nesting Tables
By Maison Jansen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Trio (3) of rounds shaped brass nesting tables with beveled edged glass tops, attributed to Maison Jansen. The solid brass is expertly crafted with refined yet elegant detailing incl...
Brass
$1,094Sale 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
$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
$1,666Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Vintage Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table with Pull-Out Black Top
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This classic low coffee table was made in Denmark during the 1960s. It is made of high-quality noble rosewood in a warm shade of brown. In contrast to the popular rosewood finishes - the offered...
Formica, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Square Walnut Coffee Table by Bassett
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern coffee table features unique raised edges and tapered legs. Sleek design with stretchers between each leg ensuring sturdiness without sacrificing style. The ...
Walnut
$6,500 / set
H 14.5 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
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
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
$2,000
H 20 in W 62.5 in D 26 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table in the Style of Johannes Andersen
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful mid-century Danish rosewood coffee table features unique tapered legs with wide slat stretchers for added support. The thick Mid-Century rosewood tabletop has a wonder...
Rosewood
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
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Coffee Table w/ Tapered Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely stunning mid-century rosewood coffee table. A large tabletop, bold lines, and tapered legs show off the wood grain's natural colors and beauty. A perfect addition for any ...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Lucite and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern coffee table boasts a large rectangular glass top with a light tint of green. An unusual design with four individual Lucite pieces. An elegant graduated ...
Glass, Acrylic, Lucite
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Book matched rosewood cocktail table with cerused oak base. Tapered legs. Floating edge top subtle design feature. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, does have a minor...
Rosewood, Oak
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
Sold
H 14.5 in W 14.88 in D 14.5 in
Jens Quistgaard Cube Occasional Tables for Richard Nissen, circa 1982
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens H. Quistgaard teak cube end tables for Richard Nissen, circa 1982. This nesting pair of tables has been professionally restored.
Teak
Sold
H 28.75 in W 63.78 in D 28.75 in
Flip-Top Teak Desk Writing Table for Peter Lovig Nielsen by Jens Quistgaard
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Telgte, DE
Flip-top teak desk writing table for Peter Lovig Nielsen by Jens Quistgaard Danish modern. Flip-top design top for added work space with cubby holes and paper trays. Very good condi...
Teak
Rosewood "Stokke" Coffee Table by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood "Stokke" coffee table by Jens H. Quistgaard.
Rosewood
Teak Side Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare teak table with brass fittings. Designed by Jens Quistgaard.
Side Table by Jens Quistgaard For Nissen
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two sided Danish Side Table by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen. Made of sold teak in the 1950s.
Teak