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.
1940s Set of Danish Just Andersen Pewter Serving Platter and Bowl
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of Danish Just Andersen pewter serving platter and bowl produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940´s / 1950´s The the serving platter and bowl are good vintage condition and ma...
Metal, 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
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
Sold|$273
H 0.79 in W 14.57 in D 7.49 in
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
$400
H 1.97 in W 15.75 in D 11.42 in
Meissen, Germany. Oval porcelain serving platter in “Blue Onion” pattern. 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen, Germany Oval platter, 1930s. Elegant oval porcelain serving platter, hand-painted in the classic “Blue Onion” (Zwiebelmuster) pattern in cobalt blue. Decorated with stylized...
Porcelain
Majolica Platter with Fruits Sarreguemines, circa 1930
By Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Platter with Fruits Sarreguemines, circa 1930.
Ceramic
$110
H 2 in W 23.5 in D 15.25 in
Vintage Lenox Retired Large Rooster Pewter Metal Holiday Serving Platter Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Lenox Retired Large Rooster Pewter Metal Holiday Serving Platter Tray. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 2" H x 23.5" W x 15.25" D.
Pewter
$235
H 1 in W 20 in D 31 in
Antique English Brass Serving Tray Platter Oval Grape Leaves Hanging 1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
Excellent antique English oval brass serving tray or platter~~c. 1930s Beautiful decorative brass serving tray or platter with grape leaf ac...
Brass
$341
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 Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1.75 inch In good ...
Metal
$200 / set
H 0.4 in Dm 3.15 in L 0.4 in
Just Andersen, Denmark. Five coasters in pewter with animal motifs. 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Just Andersen, set of five coasters in pewter. Set of five coasters in pewter with engraved animal motifs in a stylised art deco design. Model 1176. Origin: Denmark. Designer: Just...
Pewter
Monumental Platter, Circa 1940s, from Biot, France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Highly unusual and graphically striking, this monumental charger or platter was created in Biot at a time when the French village vied with Vallauris in producing the best ceramic pi...
Ceramic
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
Pewter Bottle Coasters by Just Andersen, 1950s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of pewter bottle and glass coasters made by Just Andersen in the 1950s. * Set of nine (9) pewter coasters with grooved edges in the original presentation box. Includes eight coa...
Pewter
Large French Faience Fish Platter Circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Faience Fish Platter Circa 1930 19 by 10.8 inches.
Ceramic
$341
H 2.75 in Dm 2.25 in
Just Andersen, Denmark, Pair Vintage Polished Pewter 1940's Hot Toddy Cups #1289
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen, Denmark, pair of vintage polished pewter 1940's hot toddy cups #1289 Simple and effective Danish design Circa 1940's Stamped and numbered 1289...
Pewter
Platter in Brass, Candle Holder, Gold Color, by Josef Frank, 1940
By Josef Frank
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a tray from the Art Deco period, in brass with geometric patterns. It is equipped with two candle holders. It was made in Sweden around the 1940s. It is gold in color. The manu...
Brass
1940s Fish Serving Tray with Lid, Spain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful alpaca silver serving tray with lid from Spain, 1940s. Low oval footed dish and lid with fish handle. Lovely etched rope detail along edge. Original finish shows nice age a...
Alpaca
Pewter Ice Bucket 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: 1937–19...
Metal, Pewter
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
Just Andersen - Bronze Charger, pair
By Just Andersen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Just Andersen: A pair of partly green patinated bronze chargers. Stamped monogram Just A., B1773, Denmark.
Bronze