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 Owl by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Little Diskometal Owl Bust made by Just Andersen in the early 1940s. * Owl in diskometal * Designer: Just Andersen * Style: D1499 * Year: 1937 * Condition: Good vintage condition....
Metal, Pewter
Just Andersen Denmark, 1930s Danish Fano Girl Bronze Bust, Carl Emil Ruge #2111
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark bronze bust of a Fano Danish Girl designed by Carl Emil Ruge A lovely innocent face makes this piece absolutely charming Superb dark...
Bronze
Diskometal Bird by Just Andersen, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Diskometal Bird made by Just Andersen in the early 1940s. * Bird in diskometal * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D2295 (stamped 'Just D2295’) * Condition: Good vintage condition. ...
Metal
Early Pewter Figurine by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Early-work Pewter Figurine of Woman with Mirror designed by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Pewter bust of a woman with a mirror * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D31 (stamped 'Just ...
Pewter
Large Sculpture by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Discometal Sculpture designed by Just Andersen in 1939. An exquisite center piece in great vintage condition. * Discometal Bust of a Boy Riding a Fish * Designer: Just A...
Metal
$1,811 / set
Birds by Just Andersen, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Diskometal Birds made by Just Andersen in the early 1940s. * Set (2) birds in diskometal * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D2295 (stamped 'Just D2295’) * Condition: Very go...
Metal
‘Boy with Horn’ Diskometal Bust by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Exquisite 'Boy with Born' Bust in excellent condition designed by Just Andersen in 1939. * Small diskometal sculpture of a boy with a horn * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D2170 (...
Metal
A trio of small Just Andersen sculptures, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
A trio 'Boy Band' in good vintage condition designed by Just Andersen in 1930s. * A trio (3) of small metal sculptures of a boys with a ball, a...
Metal
Sandstone girl with flowers by Sigurd Forchhammer for Just Andersen, 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
A naturalistic bust in sandstone designed by the Danish sculptor Sigurd Forchhammer for Just Andersen in 1941. "The flower friend" is a rare and fine piece that will spark conversations in any beautiful home. * A sandstone figurine...
Sandstone
Early Diskometal Figurine made by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Early-work Diskometal Figurine of Woman with Mirror designed by Just Andersen in the 1920s * Diskometal metal bust of a woman with a mirror. * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D31 ...
Metal
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
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
Art Deco Just Andersen Diskometal Fluted Vase, 1930s
By Just Andersen, Peter Hertz, Anton Michelsen, Mogens Ballin, Georg Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique Scandinavian neoclassical Just Andersen (1884-1943) fluted vase with tiny decorative handles in Andersen’s signature material, Disko. An alloy of tin, lead and antimony named...
Metal
Just Andersen, Small Vase, Disko Metal, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in High Point, NC
A small disko metal vase, designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, c. 1930s.
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
$345
H 2.2 in W 4.25 in D 1.5 in
Disko Metal Just Andersen, Denmark 1930s Art Deco Stylised Bird Pipe Rest
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark, disko metal stylised bird pipe rest Disko metal, invented by Just Andersen by combing lead and antimony circa 1930s Stamped on base Measures: Height 2.5 inc...
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
1920s Danish Just Andersen Art Deco Vase
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Just Andersen art deco disco metal vase produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940's. The vase is in good vintage condition and marked with Just. Andersens triangle mark. Ju...
Metal
Substantial Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Impressive Diskometal Vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Eight-sided cone-shaped vase on foot in diskometal * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D1932 * Year: 1937 * Con...
Metal
Danish Art Deco Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s.
By Just Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Art Deco Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s. Small Art Deco vase with two stylized fluted leaves. Made in Denmark by Just Andersen with his trademark alloy Diskometal. Stamped wi...
Metal
Just Andersen 1930s Danish Pewter Elaphant Book End
By Just Andersen
Located in New York, NY
One 1930s Danish Art Deco pewter elephant bookend by sculptor, Just Andersen.
Pewter
Just Andersen Antique Footed Pewter Box, 1920s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An early footed box by Just Andersen. Made at his own workshop Just in Denmark during the 1920s. The exterior is made entirely from lightly hammered pewter. The interior is linned wi...
Pewter
Art Deco Bronze Bowl by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1920s
By Just Andersen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze bowl designed by Just Andersen in 1920s and produced by his own company in Denmark. Good condition, some light scratches and wear to the patination. Stam...
Bronze
A set of birds by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
A rare and exquisite set of 1930s metal birds by Just Andersen. A true testament to Just Andersens exceptional craftsmanship. * A set of small metal birds * Designer: Just Andersen ...
Metal