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.
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
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
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
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
Diskometal Bear Cup by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Little Diskometal Bust of Bear Cup made by Just Andersen in the late 1930s. * Bear Cup Bust in diskometal * Designer: Just Andersen * Style: D2060 * Year: 1938 * Condition: Good v...
Metal
Diskometal Figurine of 'Woman on Stone' by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Diskometal Figurine of Woman Sitting designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Diskometal bust of a woman sitting on a stone * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D1871 (stamp...
Metal
Diskometal Figurine by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Diskometal Figurine of Dancing Woman designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Diskometal bust of a woman dancing. * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D2191 * Condition: Ver...
Metal
$1,794 / 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
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
Girl with Flowers in Sandstone by Sigurd Forchhammer for Just Andersen, 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Naturalistic Sandstone Bust of Girl with Flowers designed by the Danish sculptor Sigurd Forchhammer for Just Andersen in the 1940s. * Sandstone figurine...
Sandstone
‘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
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
$343
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Danish Art Deco Pewter Candelabras by Just Andersen, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant pair of Danish Art Deco pewter candelabras designed by Just Andersen, dating from the early 1930s. Each candelabra features a sculptural, organic form with gracefully curved ...
Pewter
$448
H 3.94 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in
1920s Art Deco vase by danish sculptor and silversmith Just Andersen, Copenhagen
By Just Andersen
Located in København K, 84
This striking 1920s Art Deco vase by Danish sculptor and silversmith Just Andersen, crafted in his signature patinated Disco metal, exemplifies th...
Metal
Bronze Jar by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Round Light-Bronze Jar designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Round bronze jar and lit with ornaments * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: LB 1615 (stamped 'Just’) * Year: 1934 * ...
Bronze
Art Deco Vase by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s
By Sune Bäckström, Just Andersen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco vase designed by Just Andersen in 1930s and produced by his own company in Denmark. Made from Disko metal (an alloy of different metals invented by Just Andersen...
Metal
A vase by Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Long Island City, NY
Patinated Disco metal vase designed by Just Andersen. Denmark , circa 1930th. Marked JA 1556. Minor scratches and notches.
Metal
Art Deco Danish Pewter Trumpet Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking and sculptural Art Deco pewter vase designed by Just Andersen in Denmark, circa 1930s. This elegant piece features a tall, trumpet-shaped form that flares gracefully at th...
Pewter
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
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