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.
Just Andersen, Denmark Bronze Patina Disko Metal Viking Ship Salt #1109
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen Danish bronze patina Disko metal Viking ship salt cellar. circa 1920s Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1.75 inch In good ...
Metal
Pyramidal Smoking Set with Four Ashtrays, Germany, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Pyramidal smoking set is an original decorative object realized in Germany in the 1970s. A unique object composed by four ashtrays and a lighter. Table lighter vintage plastic ...
Metal
$336Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.75 in W 7.75 in D 5.5 in
1950s Kay Bojesen Danish Teak Dust Bin Crumb Sweeper Set
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Kay Bojesen. Sweeper kit consisting of a sweeping tray and a brush of wood. Wonderful early impressed marks; k.b. eneret, translating kb exclusive, and Kay Bojesen paper label.
Teak
Pewter Ice Bucket made by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Pewter Ice bucket made by Just Andersen in the 1930s * Ice bucket in Pewter with removable insert drainer and lugs * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 1959 * Year: 1937–193...
Pewter
Silver Mounted Ostrich Egg Goblet, England 1860-1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
English confectionery goblet or cup featuring the shell of an ostrich egg mounted into silver. The silver rim engraved with the initials ED England approx. 1860-1900. Minor repa...
Silver
Patinated Bronze Platter by Just Andersen, Denmark, c. 1940
By Just Andersen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A footed circular patinated bronze platter with an etched rim. Signed Just A. LB 1735.
Bronze
1930s Danish Just Andersen Pewter Salt Vessel
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Just Andersen pewter salt vessel on a wodden tray produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940´s - 1950´s The vessel is in very good vintage conditi...
Metal, Pewter
Midcentury Nut Cracker Bowl, Hammer & Anvil by Richard Rohac, Austria, 1950s
By Richard Rohac
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and decorative nutcracker set, featuring a cherry wood bowl, a brass hammer and a brass anvil. Designed and crafted in the 1950s by Richard Rohac in Vienna, Austria, the s...
Brass
Pewter Tea & Coffee Set by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Pewter Tea & Coffee Pots with Sugar Jar & Creamer made by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Set (4) of pewter tea & coffee pots with sugar jar & creamer. All with chasings at t...
Pewter
Pewter Ice Bucket by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Pewter Ice bucket made by Just Andersen in the 1930s * Ice bucket in Pewter with removable insert drainer and lugs. * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 1959 * Year: 1937–19...
Metal, Pewter
$196Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 3.15 in W 3.15 in D 2.76 in
Set of 3 Vintage Brass Pestle & Mortars, Czechoslovakia, Circa 1940s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful set of three vintage pestles & mortars in a solid brass finish. All three produced in Czechoslovakia in 1940s as a kitchen wear for spices and...
Brass
$351
H 2.76 in W 2.96 in D 2.37 in
1950 Hagenauer Bronze Salt and Pepper Dispenser Cocker Spaniel Puppies
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
The object on sale is a little bronze figurine modelled after an endearing pair of cocker spaniel pups, that was originally intended to hold salt and pepper dispensers. But it can al...
Bronze
Pair Of Danish 18th Century Pewter Salt Cellars
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Danish 18th century pewter salt cellars.
Pewter
Sold
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.15 in L 2.5 in
Just Andersen, Denmark, Disko Stylised Fantail Fish 1920's Art Deco Paperweight
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Deco Disko metal stylised Fantail Fish pewter paperweight by Just Andersen of Denmark. Wonderful worn patina - A super desk accoutrement. Disko metal, invented by Just Andersen ...
Metal
Antique Just Andersen, Denmark. Pewter Viking Ship Salt #1109
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Antique Just Andersen, Danish pewter Viking ship salt cellar. Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Circa 1920's Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1....
Pewter
Vintage Just Andersen Bear Pewter Dish, Denmark 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Just Andersen Bear Pewter Dish, Denmark 1930s Item e7281 Rare Just Andersen Art Deco bowl with a sitting bear in the center. Made of pewter with beautiful original old patina...
Pewter
Just Andersen 1930's Bulbous Disko Metal Vase D88
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Impressive and extremely hefty, Just Andersen of Denmark, bulbous vase from the 1930's With a superb patina, this vase is made of Disko metal - a metal specifically invented by Just ...
Metal
Sold
H 3.75 in W 2.5 in D 1.4 in
Delightful Pair Just Andersen Disko Metal Flared with Leaf Decoration Vases #D55
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Pair of diminutive Just Andersen Disko metal flared flower vases with rich patina Delicate in design and particularly decorated at base with stylised leaves Stamped and numbered D5...
Pewter
Pair Of Just Andersen, Denmark Pewter Viking Ship Salts #1109
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Pair of Just Andersen, Danish pewter Viking ship salt cellars. Circa 1920's Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1....
Pewter
Just Andersen Denmark, Art Deco Ribbed Pewter Fluted Cache Pot #2352
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A petite Just Andersen pewter cache pot with fluted rim Perfect as a desk accessory or purely ornamental Stamped and numbered 2352 on base Height 2.5 inch, Diameter 2.75 inch In ver...
Pewter
Just Andersen Art Deco Pewter Ribbed Twin Handled Funnel Vase #2286
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark small ribbed pewter vase with an uncommon funnel neck and twin handles. This is a splendid little vase packed with Scandinavian style. Stamped and numbere...
Pewter
Sold
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.15 in
Just Andersen, Denmark Fantail Fish 1920s Art Deco Pewter Desk Paperweight #833B
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Deco stylised Fantail Fish pewter paperweight by Just Andersen of Denmark. Circa 1920 Height 2.5 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 3.15 inch Stamped and numbered 833B to base Good co...
Pewter
Just Andersen Denmark, Art Deco Bronze Cache Pot #LB 1161
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen bronze cache pot with engraved trim A small Danish pot with character and history Stamped and numbered LB 1161 on base Measures: Height ...
Metal
Sold
H 2.25 in W 4.25 in D 1.75 in
Just Andersen, Denmark Bronze Patina Disko Metal Viking Ship Salt #1109
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen Danish bronze patina Disko metal Viking ship salt cellar, circa 1920s Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Measures: Height 2.25 inch, width 4.25 inch, depth 1.75 inch ...
Metal
Patined Bronze Tray by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid bronze footed tray by Just Andersen, made in Denmark, circa 1930s.
Bronze