In addition to having invented an alloy that drastically reduced the foundry production costs associated with making bronze, copper and brass, Danish designer and silversmith Just Andersen created sculptural furnishings, accessories and decor that are widely coveted and collectible today. Disko, an alloy made of lead, tin and antimony, shares characteristics with brass, and many of Andersen’s antique candle holders, vases and vessels and other decorative objects — produced in Art Nouveau, Scandinavian neoclassical and Art Deco styles — contain this material.
Growing up in Greenland, Andersen was originally a sculptor and painter. He moved to Copenhagen and attended the Royal Academy of Art and the School of Danish Crafts. At the latter, he studied under Jens Møller Jensen.
Andersen trained in silversmithing in Copenhagen with Mogens Ballin and with the revered Danish silver firm Peter Hertz. Working in Ballin’s workshop after it had changed hands when the founder’s wife fell ill during the early 1900s, Andersen sharpened and refined his skills. He completed unfinished projects of Ballin’s when he passed away in 1914, sometimes partnering with Jean Rene Gauguin in order to do so. Andersen opened Just Andersen Pewter in 1918, where he produced objects in silver and gold but also in pewter, bronze and his alloy, disko, which he named after Greenland’s Disko Bay.
Andersen created designs for Georg Jensen, Peter Hertz, A. Michelsen and other manufacturers. He opened showrooms in several cities including Berlin and Los Angeles. Andersen’s work is held in the collections of museums all over the world.
Find antique Just Andersen decorative objects, lighting and ceramics on 1stDibs.
1940's Carl Emil Ruge Disco Metal Figurine by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
1940's Carl Emil Ruge disco metal figurine by Just Andersen A/S Small Danish buste of a Fanø girl by Carl Emil Borch manufactored in disco metal by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1...
Metal
Pichet en bronze de Just Andersen chasseur et poisson
By Just Andersen
Located in LYON, FR
Rare et précieuse verseuse / Vase en bronze patiné de Just Andersen représentant un chasseur chassant un poisson. Notre exemplaire présente une patine sublime et un état exceptionn...
Bronze
1940s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter Candlesticks
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen art deco pewter candle holders by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940's. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with Just. Andersens ...
Metal, Pewter
1940's Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter candle Holders by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen pewter candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940's. The well designed candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with J...
Pewter
1930s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Art Deco Three Clover Pewter Candlesticks
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen Art Deco three clover pewter candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1930s. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked...
Metal, Pewter
1930s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Four-Leaf Clover Pewter Candlesticks
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen four-leaf clover Art Deco pewter candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1930s. The four-leaf clover is a uni...
Metal, Pewter
1940s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter Candle Holders
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen art deco pewter candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1950's. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with J...
Metal, Pewter
1930s Set of Four Danish Just Andersen Art Deco Pewter Vases
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of four Danish Just Andersen art deco pewter vases produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1930´s. The vases with their simple yet demanding organic shapes are in very good vintage...
Metal, Pewter
1930s Pair of Art Deco Pewter Candlesticks by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Pair of Art Deco pewter candlesticks by Just Andersen The candlesticks are in good vintage condition. Marked Just. A. no, 2574. H.
Pewter
Polished Bronze Dish by Just Andersen Model # LC 1385
By Just Andersen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A footed bronze dish by Just Andersen. Stamped on base with Just Andersen makers mark. DENMARK. L C 1385.
Bronze
1940s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter Candlesticks
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen art deco pewter candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940's. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with Just. ...
Metal, Pewter
1950's Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Disco Metal Candlesticks
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen disco metal candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 50's. The candle holders are in good vint...
Metal, Pewter
Pair Of Disko Metal Candle Stands Designed By Just Andersen, Made In Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of beautiful disko metal candle stands designed by Just Andersen. The stands have a patinated finish with an embossed art deco inspired rim. Just Andersen (1884-1943) was a...
Metal
Just Andersen Fantail Fish Paperweight, 1930s, Art Deco
By Just Andersen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Heavy metal (likely pewter) paperweight designed by Just Andersen. Paperweight depicts a Fantail Fish. A lovely Art Deco style piece which can work in a variety of different interi...
Bronze
Small Baby Figurine Pen Holder by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in London, London
Small Baby figurine holding a vase By Just Andersen Vase acts as a pen holder Made from disco metal Stamped underneath Denmark 1930s.
Metal
$2,400Sale Price / set|36% Off
Two Vintage Polished Bronze Shallow Bowls by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Doraville, GA
Two beautiful polished bronze shallow bowls designed by Just Andersen. Just Andersen (1884-1943) was an internationally renowned designer of metal objects. Andersen is best known for his neoclassic Scandinavian design of objects for everyday use in pewter, brass, copper, bronze and Disko ( Disko Metal is an alloy of lead and antimony, which was Andersen's own invention and named after the Disko Bay of Greenland, where he grew up.). Andersen and his wife Alba started their own firm in 1918, primarily creating gold and silver jewelry...
Bronze
1920s Art Deco Danish Just Andersen Disco Metal Candelabra
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
1920s art deco Danish Just Andersen disco metal candelabra. The candlelabra is in good vintage condition and marked with Just. Andersens triangle mark. Just Andersen 1884-1943 was...
Metal
1930s Art Deco Danish Two-Armed Candleholder by Just Andersen in Disko Metal
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Art Deco Danish two-armed candleholder by Just Andersen in Disko Metal The candleholder is made in disko metal, an alloy of lead and antimony, which was Andersen's own invention and...
Metal
Art Deco Pewter Sculpture and Stem Vase / Flower Frog by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1930s, Denmark. This Art Deco pewter piece, model 841, features a detailed cherub holding blackberries. Designed and stamped by Just Andersen, it carries the maker’s mark on the unde...
Pewter