Set of Four Plated Animal Paperweights by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
About the Item
- Creator:Dansk (Maker),Gunnar Cyren (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 2 in (5.08 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Zinc,Plated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:
Dansk
Ironically, Dansk Designs, the tableware company practically synonymous with Danish design (“Dansk,” in fact, translates to “Danish”), was the brainchild of an American couple, Ted and Martha Nierenberg.
The Nierenbergs, who founded the business in 1954, initially worked out of the garage of their Great Neck, Long Island, home and marketed their serveware, tables, decorative objects and other products largely in the United States. But they had a secret weapon: Jens Quistgaard.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, the Copenhagen native was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. Quistgaard built toys, jewelry and hunting knives under his father’s tutelage. Later, he spent years learning from local artisans how to produce wood, metal, ceramic and glass models. Quistgaard’s career path solidified during his apprenticeship as a silversmith with legendary Danish silver firm Georg Jensen.
The Nierenbergs discovered the sculptor and designer on their honeymoon, which they’d spent traveling through Europe searching for top-quality goods that might form the basis of a business.
After they hired Quistgaard and launched Dansk, their products swiftly came to epitomize the best of accessible Scandinavian design for mid-century American consumers, who fell for the firm’s staved-teak salad bowls, colorful casseroles and stainless-steel flatware, all of which managed to look handmade despite being mass-produced.
The long-distance relationship flourished for 30 years, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the company's factories.
The designs for Quistgaard’s Købenstyle line and other collections during the mid-1950s were revolutionary, with bowls built like barrels and charming, lightweight monochrome tableware in enameled steel. Quistgaard’s work married function with striking, sophisticated form. He utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware, barware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s postwar-era Scandinavian modernist work is still exceedingly popular in living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens in the United States, Europe and Japan, particularly in the homes of mid-century design enthusiasts.
Find vintage Dansk Designs furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Candleholders Birds Design by Gunnar Cyren For Dansk SilverplateBy Dansk, Gunnar CyrenLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful, elegant pair of silver-plated love birds designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk circa 1980's it takes a thin tapered candle 1/4" diameter.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsSilver Plate
- MCM Iron Candle Holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for DanskBy Dansk, Gunnar CyrenLocated in San Diego, CAVintage MCM eight candle iron holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for Dansk, circa 1960s. This is a rare form has a great patina and measures 8.5"D x 5"H and holds .25"D tapered candl...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron
- MCM Iron Candle Holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for DanskBy Dansk, Gunnar CyrenLocated in San Diego, CAVintage MCM six candle iron holder by Gunnar Cyren Lysestager for Dansk, circa 1960s. This is a rare form has a great patina and measures 4"D x 5"H and holds .125"D tapered candles....Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron
- Gunnar Cyren Lysestager Iron Candle Holder and Candles by DanskBy Gunnar Cyren, DanskLocated in San Diego, CAGunnar Cyren designed iron candle holder by Dansk. Part of the Lysestager line. This is a rare form. Includes a box of tapered Dansk candles.Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron
- Gunnar Cyren Lysestager Iron Candle Holder and Candles by DanskBy Gunnar Cyren, DanskLocated in San Diego, CAGunnar Cyren designed iron candle holder by Dansk. Part of the Lysestager line. This is a rare form. Includes a box tapered Dansk candles.Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsIron
- Set of Four Post-Modern Marble Blocks / PaperweightsLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous set of four post-modern marble blocks / paperweights, circa 1980s. The pieces are in very good condition with no chips or cracks and the largest one measures 3"W x 2"D x 6....Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Paperweights
MaterialsMarble
- Dansk Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar CyrenBy Gunnar CyrenLocated in North Hollywood, CADANSK Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren. Vintage Dansk Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk designed in circa 1970s. Wonderful modernist silver plated bear...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Paperweights
MaterialsSilver Plate
- 1970s Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk Silver Plate Elephant Figurine PaperweightBy Gunnar CyrenLocated in North Hollywood, CADansk Mid-Century Silver Plate Animal Elephant Figurine Paperweight. Vintage Dansk silver plate elephant figurine paper weight. Marked Dansk Designs Japan. Dimensions: 1.75ʺW × 2.25ʺ...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Paperweights
MaterialsSilver Plate
- 1970s Dansk Polar Bear Silver Plated Paperweight Animal Sculpture ScandinavianBy DanskLocated in Miami, FLJapanese Dansk silver-plated polar bear paperweight. Marked Dansk Designs Japan on the underside. Great collectors' piece and a Gift idea for the Holiday Season.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Paperweights
MaterialsMetal, Silver Plate
- Gunnar Cyren White Porcelain Polar Bear Coin Bank for DanskBy Dansk, Gunnar CyrenLocated in Miami, FLWhite porcelain polar bear coin bank designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Gourmet Square Wood Trivet, by Gunnar Cyren from Warm NordicBy Gunnar CyrenLocated in Viby J, DKBeautiful walnut and oak trivets with delicate carvings. Trivets were originally designed in the 1970s by the highly acclaimed Swedish designer, Gunnar Cyren as part of the Gourmet Wood range, and are now being manufactured again by Warm Nordic. Their harmonious design and consummate quality make these wooden trivets perfect for both everyday meals and more festive occasions. The carvings lend the trivets a touch of character and have a life of their own in the form of swaying trees, sprouting hearts and abstract animals, depending on which way you look at them. Gunnar Cyren's Trivets also look attractive on the kitchen worktop...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsWood
- Gourmet Round Wood Trivet, by Gunnar Cyren from Warm NordicBy Gunnar CyrenLocated in Viby J, DKBeautiful walnut and oak trivets with delicate carvings. Trivets were originally designed in the 1970s by the highly acclaimed Swedish designer, Gunnar Cyren as part of the Gourmet Wood range, and are now being manufactured again by Warm Nordic. Their harmonious design and consummate quality make these wooden trivets perfect for both everyday meals and more festive occasions. The carvings lend the trivets a touch of character and have a life of their own in the form of swaying trees, sprouting hearts and abstract animals, depending on which way you look at them. Gunnar Cyren's Trivets also look attractive on the kitchen worktop...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsWood