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 Art Deco Diskometal Figurine 'Boy on Rhino', 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mythologically perceived small group figurine with faun and rino by Just Andersen, Denmark. Designed and made around 1930. Composed of Just Andersens own alloy called Disko Metal. Th...
Metal
Mythological Diskometal Figurine with Walrus & Faun by Just Andersen, 1930
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
- Mythological figurine by Just Andersen designed, circa 1930 - Composed of Just Andersen's own alloy called Disko Metal - The figurine is sig...
Metal
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
"Riding the Currents", Rare Art Deco Sculpture of Merboy and Fish by Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Joyful and full of energy, this rare -- possibly unique -- sculpture by Just Andersen depicts a merboy, complete with fins on each feet, riding a plump fish through the sea, his mout...
Ceramic
Just Andersen Figurine of Boy on Large Fish Made of Disco Metal, Denmark 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine designed by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943) featuring a young boy on a large fish, surrounded by smaller fish and sea weed. It's made in Denmar...
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
Just Andersen Set of Two Bookends with Owls no 2254 of Disco Metal Denmark 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of two original bookends with an owl family 2 parents and 1 owl kid by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943). Made in Denmark in the 1930´s of Just Andersen´s own ...
Metal
Just Andersen, Art Deco - Sculpture of a women 1930's
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Just Andersen sculpture of a naked women stand along a pillar. Art deco piece in great condition, around 1930's Denmark. Made in Disco metal invented by Just Andersen.
Bronze
Just Andersen Baby Girl Figurine with Pen-Holder, 1930s Art Deco
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small figurine/vase/pencil-holder from Just Andersen designed around 1930. Its Composed of Just Andersens own alloy/patina called Disko Metal. The figu...
Metal
Just Andersen - Disco Metal, Sculpture of naked women
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Just Andersen sculpture in Disco Metal, naked women. 1930's.
Bronze
Just Andersen & E. Borch Art Deco Sculpture of Boy with Teddybear, 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
One of the largest sculptures from Just Andersen designed around 1930-40 by female sculptor and artist Elna Borch. Its Composed of Just Andersens own alloy/patina called Disko Metal....
Metal
Just Andersen & Elna Borch Patinated Sculpture of Young Woman, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Erotically stylized small sculpture from Just Andersen designed 1930-40 by female sculptor and artist Elna Borch. Its Composed of Just Andersens own al...
Metal
Just Andersen Figurine of a Young Man with Fish of Disco Metal, Denmark 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine designed by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943) featuring a young man with fish. It's made in Denmark in the 1940s-1950s of Just Andersen´s own cre...
Metal
Just Andersen Figurine of Boy by Elna Borch Made of Disco Metal, Denmark 1940s
By Just Andersen, Elna Borch
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine featuring a naked boy sitting, designed by Elna Borch manufactured by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943) It's made in Denmark in the 1940s or 195...
Metal
Just Andersen Figurine of Naked Boy Made of Disco Metal, Denmark 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine designed by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943) featuring a naked boy sitting on a marble plate. This particular figurine was first launched in 194...
Marble, Metal
Just Andersen Figurine of Young Shepherd with Lamb of Disco Metal 1940s
By Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine designed by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersen (1884-1943) featuring a young shepherd feeding a lamb. It's made in Denmark in the 1940s or 1950s of Just Ander...
Metal
1940's Sitting Faun by Elena Borch made of Disco Metal by Just Andersen A/S
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
1940's Sitting Faun by Elena Borch made of Disco Metal by Just Andersen A/S The sitting faun is in good vintage condition and marked with Just. Andersens triangle mark. Just Ander...
Metal
Just Andersen Art Deco Vase in Disco Metal, 1940s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Just Andersen Art Deco vase in disco metal. 1940s. In excellent condition with fine patina. Model D1522. Dimensions: H 10 x D 9.0 cm.
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
Diskometal Pitcher Vase designed by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Beautiful Diskometal Pitcher Vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Small metal pitcher / vase * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D2185 (Stamped ‘Just D2185’) * Year: 1939 ...
Metal
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
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
Just Andersen large alloyed bronze bowl
By Just Andersen
Located in London, GB
A large alloyed bronze patinated dish bowl stamped Just Andersen Denmark and numbered 1736 X. Some wear to the patination which should be visible in the photos but otherwise a larger...
Brass, Bronze
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
Diskometal Vase by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Little Diskometal Vase made by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Diskometal vase with opening shaped as figure-eight (from top down) * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D120 * Year: 1...
Metal
Diskometal Casket by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Diskometal Casket made by Just Andersen in the late 1920s / early 1930s. * Lidded diskometal casket / jewelry box with an inner wood box. * Designer: Just Andersen * Style...
Metal
$646
H 3.55 in W 5.12 in D 3.15 in
Fish-shaped Art Deco Diskometal Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Fish-shaped art deco vase designed by Just Andersen in the early 1930s. A lovely detail for a beautiful home. * A fish-shaped metal vase * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 1389 (sta...
Metal
Substantial Diskometal Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Amphora-style Diskometal vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Amphora-style diskometal vase with lugs * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D1925 * Year: 1937 * ...
Metal
Round Diskometal Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Round Diskometal Vase designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. A timeless piece for a beautiful place. * Round diskometal vase with waves * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufacturer: Ju...
Metal
Sold
H 2.56 in W 4.53 in D 1.78 in
Danish Art Deco Aladdin Oil Lamp in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s.
By Just Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Art Deco Aladdin Oil Lamp in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s. Very small oil lamp in the shape of an Aladdin's Lamp. Made in Denmark by J...
Metal
Art Deco Merman Najad Sculpture by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco merman sculpture, 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 ...
Metal
Sold
H 7.09 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in
Just Andersen Figurine of Calf by Gudrun Lauesen, Made of Disco Metal, 1940s
By Gudrun Lauesen, Just Andersen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Figurine of a standing just born calf designed by Gudrun Lauesen. Manufactured by Danish artist and sculptor Just Andersens (1884-1943) metal workshop. It's made in Denmark in the 19...
Metal
Sold
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 5.12 in
Just Andersen Figurine of Boy with Bear by E. Borch of Disco Metal Denmark 1940s
By Just Andersen, Elna Borch
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Original figurine of a sitting boy with teddy bear designed by Elna Borch The figurine is made in the 1950s of disco metal with brown patina by Just Andersen´s own metal workshop. ...
Metal
1920s / 30s Just Andersen "Sitting Nude" Design by Asta Lilbæk
By Just Andersen
Located in Handewitt, DE
1920s/30s Just Andersen, sitting nude woman. Dark patinated bronze / disko metal on base. Very beautiful work. Designed and signed by Asta Lilbæk. No.D1744
Bronze
Figure With Motif Of A Boy & Deer By Just Andersen
By Just Andersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Figure by Just Andersen with motif of boy and deer kid model Just A D2318. Measurements: H:23.5cm W:16cm D:19cm
Metal
1940s Danish Just Andersen Disco Metal Figurine of Inuit Mother and Child
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
1940s Danish Just Andersen Disco Metal Figurine of Inuit Mother and Child The figurine is made in Disco metal, an alloy of lead and antimony, which was Just Andersen's own invention...
Metal
Sold
H 16.15 in W 13.39 in D 4.34 in
Just Andersen, Denmark, 1940s, Sandstone Sculpture of Samson and the Lion
By Just Andersen
Located in Skanninge, SE
Wonderful Danish Art Deco sandstone sculpture. Depicting Samson killing the lion with his bare hands. Made with Nexö sandstone from Bornholm. They started mining sandstone from Nexö...
Sandstone
Danish Art Deco Just Andersen Nude Bronze Female Statue Holding Mirror
By Just Andersen
Located in Astoria, NY
Danish Art Deco period bronze sculpture by Just Andersen (Danish, 1884-1943) depicting a female nude holding a mirror, atop a circular base. The signature is inscribed into the base ...
Bronze
Sold
H 2.76 in W 3.55 in D 1.78 in
Small Bronze Patinated Grotesque Fish Sculpture by Just Andersen, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This fabulous little fish is so ugly it's beautiful! It is in very good original condition and is fully stamped beneath the base. It is made from Bronze Patinated 'Disko Metal' an al...
Metal
1930s Just Andersen Sculpture of a Merman in Black Disco
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Just Andersen 1884 - 1943 - sculpture of a merman and fish with lots of details that catch the eye. The sculpture is one of Just Andersens most advanced sculptures and in very good ...
Metal
Just Andersen Nude Female Sculpture
By Just Andersen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Just Andersen (Denmark 1884-1943) nude female metal sculpture with patinated bronze finish.
Metal