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
Just Andersen Art Deco Pewter Dish / Ashtray, Model 2350, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Decorative Art Deco pewter dish designed by Just Andersen, Denmark, circa 1930s. Model 2350, featuring a beautifully fluted and sculptural rim surrounding a shallow central bowl. Ori...
Pewter
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
Oval Vintage Pewter Tray by Just Andersen Art Deco Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Oval vintage pewter tray by Just Andersen Art Deco Denmark, 1930s This beautiful oval vintage tray by Just Andersen was designed and manufactured in Denmark in the 1930s. The tin bo...
Pewter
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
$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 by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Pewter Ice Bucket designed by Just Andersen in 1937. A fine piece for an exquisite table. * Ice bucket or wine cooler in pewter with insert drainer * Designer: Just Andersen * Model...
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 Sugar Jar and Creamer by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Pewter Sugar Jar & Creamer made by Just Andersen in the 1920s. An exquisite set for a beautiful table. * Set (3) of pewter lidded sugar jar and creamer on tray * Designer: Just And...
Pewter
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
1930s tin platter by metal worker Just Andersen Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in København K, 84
A refined 1930s tin platter by the celebrated Danish metal artist Just Andersen, whose innovative use of alloy metals helped define Scandinavian decorative modernism. Model 2539 is...
Tin
$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
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
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
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