Collection of 20 Sculptural Danish Modern Pepper Mills
View Similar Items
Collection of 20 Sculptural Danish Modern Pepper Mills
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Quistgaard (Designer),Dansk (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Diameter: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 20
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition. Minor surface scratches, small chips, and wear. Recently cleaned and teak oiled.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU87187300003
Jens Quistgaard
The postwar-era work of Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard 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. Having created serving pieces and barware for Dansk Designs for 30 years, Quistgaard produced striking Scandinavian modernist designs that married function with sophisticated form.
After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, Quistgaard was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother’s kitchen. He 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.
By 1954, Quistgaard had become known for his designs in Denmark when American entrepreneur and businessman, Ted Nierenberg, discovered his work. The two formed a partnership to mass-produce Quistgaard’s wares in New York while the designer remained in Copenhagen.
The long-distance relationship flourished for three decades, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the factories of Dansk Designs, Nierenberg’s company. Owing primarily to the partnership between Dansk Designs and Quistgaard, many Americans became familiar with Scandinavian modernism. In the postwar era, American tastemakers sold the citizenry on the “Scandinavian dream,” suggesting that, like us, the inhabitants of the Nordic nations valued home, hearth, family and good craftsmanship and design, as well as democracy.
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 utilized exceptional materials in the creation of his coveted cookware and serving pieces, opting for warm teak and exotic woods and reintroducing steel as a go-to option for kitchen wares.
Quistgaard’s designs won numerous awards and are held in the collections of museums all over the world. His work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and elsewhere.
Find vintage Jens Harald Quistgaard decorative objects, serveware and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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.
- Sculptural Modern LampLocated in Atlanta, GASculptural modern lamp, believed to be Italian, circa 1960s. It has been rewired and is ready to use. The price noted below includes the shade.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$1,600 - Selection of Danish Modern Waste Cans by Einar Barnes for P.S. HeggenBy Einar Barnes , P.S. HeggenLocated in Atlanta, GASelection of Danish modern waste cans, designed by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen, Norway, circa 1960s. Some examples are constructed of rosewood and the others are teak or beech. Most...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Beech, Rosewood, Teak
- Pair of Sculptural Black and Brass Swirl LampsLocated in Atlanta, GAPair of Sculptural Black and Brass Swirl Lamps, American, circa 1950s. Rewired and ready to use.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
$750 Sale Price / set53% Off - Sculptural White LampsBy Alberto and Diego GiacomettiLocated in Atlanta, GAPair of sculptural white lamps, in the manner of Diego Giacometti, probably American, circa 1950s. They have been rewired and are ready to use. The pr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,100 / set - Selection of Mid-Century Modern Brass Table LampsBy Hansen Lighting Co.Located in Atlanta, GASelection of Mid-Century Modern brass table lamps, American, circa 1950s. We believe these were created by the Hansen Company. They are price at $750 each. The price noted includes t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Sculptural Plywood Puzzle Chair by David Kawecki Great Original Patina, 1990sBy David KaweckiLocated in Atlanta, GASculptural plywood puzzle lounge chair, designed by David Kawecki, American, circa 1990s. This sculptural lounge chair retains its warm original patina.Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Dansk Pepper Mills by Jens Quistgaard - A Curated Collection of 17By Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a curated collection of Dansk Pepper Mills Designed to be displayed symmetrically to resemble one side of a chess board. All of the grinders ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Sculptural Modern Lucite HornsLocated in San Diego, CAA pair of sculptural modern lucite horns, circa 1970s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 11.5"W x 2.5"D x 13"H. Super cool decorative piece! #3570Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsLucite
$350 / set - Japanese Cast Iron Candleholder in the Style of Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in San Diego, CAJapanese cast iron candleholder in the Ssyle of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1950s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 4.25"D x .75"H; it has a fabulous patina a...Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsIron
- Multi Horn Sculptural CollectionLocated in London, GBA pair of rare multi horn trumpets or car horns. Price for the pair. Likely English, circa 1900s. Mounted on custom blacksmith made stands. No l...Category
Vintage 1920s Mounted Objects
MaterialsMetal
- Collection of Pine Balls, Denmark, 1970sBy Rainer DaumillerLocated in Valby, 84Rare collection of decorative pine balls made in solid pine in Denmark in the 1970s but a skilled wood worker. The balls are made in solid pine and have been treated with oil. The ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPine
- Hand-Painted Earthenware Figural Donkey Table Salt Cellar and Pepper Mill, ItalyLocated in Bresso, LombardyDeruta (Perugia), Italy 1983. This is a hand-painted earthenware donkey that can be used as a table salt cellar or just as a decorative object. It is a vintage piece, therefore it m...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsEarthenware
$394 Sale Price / set52% Off