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.
Diskometal Lion Pen Holder by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Lion-shaped Disko metal pen holder designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Lion-shaped pen holder in Disko metal * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D1931 * Year: 1938 * Condition:...
Metal
Art Deco Diskometal Bookends designed by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Art Deco Bookends made by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Set (2) of diskometal bookends picturing Sct. George & the Dragon * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 1626 * Year: 1...
Metal
Art Deco Pen Holders in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s. Set of 2.
By Just Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Art Deco Pen Holders in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s. Set of 2. Wonderful pair of small pen holders designed by Danish sculptor Just Anders...
Metal
Light-Bronze Desk Set designed by Just Andersen, 1920s - 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant three-Piece Desk Set in Light-Bronze Bowl designed by Just Andersen in the late 1920s and 1930s. * Desk set in light bronze constituted of a pen holder, pen tray, and lette...
Bronze
Bronze Letter Opener Set designed by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Matched Set with Bronze Letter Opener og Tray designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Bronze letter opener with tray in light-bronze * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: B1502 & LB...
Bronze
Diskometal Desk Calendar Stand by Just Andersen, 1940s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Tiny Diskometal Calendar Stand designed by Just Andersen in the 1940s. A rare piece for a beautiful desk. * Diskometal calendear stand * Designer: Just Andersen * Style: 2314 * Ye...
Metal
Just Andersen Disko Metal Ribbed Horseshoe Pipe Rest #2253
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen Disko metal pipe rest with a strong ribbed decoration. Circa 1930's Great colour, weighty and an unusual piece Stamped and numbered 2253 on base Height 1.25 inch, Widt...
Metal
Just Andersen, Small Vase, Pewter, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in High Point, NC
A small pewter vase designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, c. 1930s.
Pewter
Large Vase in 'Disko' Metal by Just Andersen, Made in Denmark, 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Vase in disco metal model 2411 by Ib Just Andersen. Mad in Denmark Denmark, 1940s. Great original condition.
Metal
1940s Danish Just Andersen Pewter Vase
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Just Andersen pewter vases produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940´s - 1950´s The vase is in good vintage condition and marked with Ju...
Metal, Pewter
Art Deco Disko Metal Candleholder by Just Andersen, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
- Large candelabra in disko metal designed by Just Andersen - Manufactured during the 1930s in his workshop in Copenhagen - This is model 155 and it features an octagonal base and ...
Metal
Just Andersen, Vase, Disko Metal, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in High Point, NC
A disko metal vase designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s.
Metal
$589
H 0.6 in W 8.27 in D 0.6 in
Just Andersen - Letter-knife in Mint Condition - Original box - Art Deco, 1930's
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
One of a kind letter knife made by Just Andersen, Denmark in the 1930's with the original box from the Jeweller that the knife were bought from. Mint condition been laying in the bo...
Pewter
Mini Pewter Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Mini Pewter Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s Denmark. Danish Art Deco miniature pewter vase made in Denmark in the 1930s. Stamped underneath: Just Denmark and model no: 2492. 5 cm ta...
Pewter
Just Andersen Art Deco Vase in Disko Metal, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare bottle-shaped metal vase with unusual ornamental relief panels. Designed and made by Just Andersen in Denmark circa 1935-39. Model: D2195 (stamped 'Just D2195, Denmark'). It i...
Metal, Pewter
$1,520
H 7.09 in Dm 3.15 in
Art Deco Just Andersen Patinated Bronze Vase Stylized Handles, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare solid bronze Just Andersen vase dessin model B 1746 with stylized handles made at his own workshop in the 1930s. Just Andersen (1884-1943) was a Danish decorative sculptor and ...
Bronze
Art Deco Bronze Bowl / Dish by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1920s
By Evan Jensen, Just Andersen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze dish / bowl / catchall designed by Just Andersen in 1920s and produced by his own company in Denmark. Good original condition, some wear to the patinatio...
Bronze
Art Deco Large Candle Holder by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sune Bäckström, Just Andersen
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco candle holder for large candles. Designed by Just Andersen in 1930s and produced by his own company in Denmark. Made from Disko metal (an alloy of different meta...
Metal
1940s Danish Just Andersen Circular Pewter Vase
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Just Andersen pewter vase produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1950's. The vase is marked with Just. Andersens triangle mark...
Metal, Pewter