Teak Coffee Table by Grete Jalk, Denmark, C. 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Grete Jalk (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Westport, CT
- Reference Number:
Grete Jalk
What would the reputation of mid-century Danish furniture be without legendary female designer Grete Jalk? A pioneer of Scandinavian modernism, Jalk sought to craft furniture that was both cost-efficient and high in quality, each piece made for the evolving interiors and design sensibilities of the day. She continues to be celebrated for her sleek and minimal armchairs, lounge chairs, coffee tables and more.
Jalk was born in 1920 in Copenhagen. She studied at the Drawing and Applied Art School for Women before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where famed designer Kaare Klint was among her instructors. Jalk completed her studies in 1946 and began a cabinetmaker apprenticeship. That same year, she won an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competition. Jalk also participated in the 1951 Milan Triennial exhibition, where her designs earned more acclaim and attention.
In 1954, Jalk opened her own design studio and began working with major Danish furniture manufacturers like Fritz Hansen and Glostrup Møbelfabrik. She found inspiration in plywood experiments carried out by Alvar Aalto and Ray and Charles Eames, and she quickly became known for her pared-back, expressive designs, which touted fluid forms and were made of alluring woods such as teak and rosewood.
Jalk’s best-known work is the 1963 GJ chair, a collaboration with cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen that won first place in the Daily Mail International Furniture Competition. Made of two pieces of molded teak plywood, the sculptural GJ lounge chair is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While creating her iconic furniture designs, Jalk wore many other hats. She taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and served as an editor of the Danish design magazine Mobilia from 1956–62 and 1968–74. In 1974, Jalk curated a traveling design exhibition for the Danish Foreign Ministry and was named a member of the Danish Design Council in 1981. She was also the editor of 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers' Guild Exhibitions 1927–1966, published in 1987.
Jalk passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. In 2008, Danish furniture manufacturer Lange Production was granted exclusive rights to reproduce the GJ chair, a design as fresh and original today as ever.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Grete Jalk seating, tables and storage pieces.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Westport, CT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Scandinavian Modern Teak Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström for DUX, 1950sBy Dux of Sweden, Yngve EkströmLocated in Westport, CTAn exquisitely rare coffee table, executed in teak designed by Yngve Ekström for Dux, featuring brass accents. Completely restored. Other desi...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Connoisseur Collection Coffee Table by Paul McCobb, C. 1950sBy Stamford ModernLocated in Westport, CTAn Exceptional Vintage Connoisseur Collection Coffee Table by Paul McCobb, crafted in the 1950s. Meticulously fashioned from luxurious mahogany and...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail T...
MaterialsBrass
- Sculptural Walnut Boomerang Coffee Table, 1950sLocated in Westport, CTWalnut coffee table featuring a boomerang-shaped top, circa 1950-1959. Fully restored to its original espresso finish. Talk about a conversation piece! Other designers from this p...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Walnut and Brass Coffee Table by Harvey Probber, C. 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Westport, CTElevate your space with our restored vintage walnut and brass coffee table by Harvey Probber, circa 1950s. Meticulously refurbished by Stamford Modern, it boasts mid-century charm wi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Tulip Coffee Table in Matt Black, 1950sLocated in Westport, CTTulip coffee table in the style of Eero Saarinen for Knoll (unmarked), circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, with an unusual textured top. Other designers from this period inclu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- Brass Accented Coffee Table in Black Ceruse, C. 1950sLocated in Westport, CTA captivating Mid-Century Modern 42-inch Oak Coffee Table, a true masterpiece that seamlessly blends iconic design with meticulous craftsmanship. Crafted to perfection, this coffee t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Danish 1950s Surfboard Coffee Table by Grete JalkBy Poul Jeppesen, Grete JalkLocated in Shepperton, SurreyA Danish 1950s surfboard coffee table by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen. It has beautiful sculpted contours. The teak is a rich shade of re...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Danish teak coffee table attributed to Grete Jalk, 1960'sBy Grete JalkLocated in The Hague, NLA stunning mid-century modern, teak Danish coffee table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, circa 1960's. Features a rectangular top with an unique slatted lower level floating shelf adds additional space for storage. The table rests on stylish tapered legs and has brass details on the ends. This beautiful coffee table maintains its original teak mat...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Grete Jalk Teak Coffee Table for Glostrup DenmarkBy Grete JalkLocated in Cincinnati, OHA teak wood coffee table with very well crafted upper lip to the top and stretchers to each leg having brass details . Manufactured in Denmark and designed by the iconic female desig...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Floating Danish Teak and Brass Square Coffee Table by Grete JalkBy France & Daverkosen, Grete JalkLocated in San Jose, CAMid century modern square coffee table designed by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen in teak. This timeless piece features brass accents and functions as a coffee table, occasional ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Large Danish Teak Coffee Table by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, 1960By Grete Jalk, Glostrup MøbelfabrikLocated in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FRBeautiful and large Scandinavian coffee table, a document holder section below and a large, very elegant top with its slightly oblong shape and discreet brass inlays. Furniture liste...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Grete Jalk for Glostrup Danish 6By Grete Jalk, Glostrup MøbelfabrikLocated in Neuenkirchen, NI60s 70s teak coffee table Grete Jalk for Glostrup Danish 60s Object: coffee table Manufacturer: Glostrup Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: 70cm x 70...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak