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
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
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
$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
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
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
1940s Just Andersen Pewter Salt and Pepper Shaker Danmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Rare 1940s Just Andersen Pewter Salt and Pepper Shaker Denmark stamped Danmark 2.5 h x 1.5 diameter Original vintage condition Refer to images
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
Vintage Silver-Plated Smoke Set with Tray & Ashtray, Germany, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Smoke set is an original decorative group of works realized in the first half of the XX Century. Original silver-plated metal. Made in Germany. Marked...
Silver Plate
$353
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
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
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