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.
Lauffer Palisander Rosewood and Stainless Steel Flatware 57 Pieces
By Lauffer
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid century modern Scandinavian design rosewood and stainless steel flatware set by Lauffer, made in Japan, circa 1960s. The 57 piece set contains 8 teaspoons, 10 tablespoons, 12 sal...
Stainless Steel
$950
H 0.5 in W 7 in D 1 in
1950s Fjord Flatware by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk in teak and stainless steel
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Victoria, BC
The Fjord flatware pattern was designed by Jens Quistgaard in 1954 and produced by Dansk Designs. This early version, marked Germany, represents the initial production period and reflects the material and construction standards associated with Dansk’s early output. Each piece combines stainless steel with hand-fitted teak handles. The design is defined by its clear contrast between materials and its balanced proportions. The teak handles introduce warmth and texture, while the steel elements maintain a precise and functional profile. The transition between materials is handled with a simple joint, allowing each component to remain visually distinct. This set includes 30 pieces, arranged for table service. The pieces show consistent construction and alignment, with the teak handles maintaining a uniform tone across the set. The design is associated with early Danish modern tableware...
Stainless Steel
$953 / set
H 0.4 in W 1.58 in D 8.86 in
Danish Raadvad "Eton" Flatware Rosewood by Henning Nørgaard, 1960s, 43 Pieces
By Jens Quistgaard, Henning Norgaard, Raadvad
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of 43 pieces in excellent vintage condition. Set of Danish Modern flatware from the "Eton" series designed by Henning Nørgaard for RAADVAD....
Steel
$1,600
H 7.38 in W 1.63 in D 0.5 in
45 Piece Laufer Rosewood Handle Stainless Steel Flatware Service for Eight
By Lauffer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Fine large set of Lauffer Japan stainless steel flatware. Rosewood handles also in fine condition. Included are large spoon with larg...
Stainless Steel
$2,850 / set
H 11.5 in W 1 in D 0.25 in
Jens Quistgaard Fjord Flatware 72 Pieces Dansk Danish Modern Mid Century
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern "Fjord" Modernist Flatware Set, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk in Denmark and produced in Germany, circa 1960s. The set contains a 5 piece set for 12 people with...
Stainless Steel
$956Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18 in W 14.75 in D 3.75 in
Mid-Century Modern 91 Piece Rosewood & Bronze Flatware Set by Jean Claude w Case
By Jean Claude Aujame
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and never used rosewood & bronze 91 pcs, service for eight with serving pcs. Great teak storage box with brass & rosewood handle. Truly a qua...
Brass, Bronze
$2,000
H 2 in W 6 in D 6 in
Tias Eckhoff for Lundtofte Opus Stainless and Rosewood Flatware Cutlery set
By Tias Eckhoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tias Eckhoff for Lundtofte. Made in Denmark. A Large "Opus" Dinner Rosewood flatware cutlery set. Stainless steel and Rosewood. Circa 1960s. Marked on Knives. Beautiful Designed Flat...
Stainless Steel
$185 / set
H 8.5 in W 1 in D 0.5 in
JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in the 1960s, the iconic Fjord flatware was made with an insert in the center of the teak handles and stainless tops manufactured first ...
Stainless Steel
$3,250 / set
H 8.25 in W 1 in D 0.5 in
Jens Quistgaard Dansk "Kongo" Flatware 30 Piece Set for Six Mid Century Modern
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid century modernist "Kongo" flatware set designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Germany, 1960s. It is constructed of low maintenance stainless steel with black nylon handles, makin...
Stainless Steel
Jens H. Quistgaard "Variation VI" Cutlery of Handmade Stainless Steel
Located in København, Copenhagen
Jens H. Quistgaard "Variation VI" cutlery of handmade stainless steel. 3 dinner forks (L. 20.5 cm), 3 dinner knives (L. 22 cm), 3 table spoons, 1 luncheons knife. All parts stamped...
Set of 6 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back Freshly Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hudson, NY
Set of 6 freshly upholstered dining chairs model 5296 and 5297 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. Stunning curved back design with sculpted back legs that are s...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Midcentury French Style Grey & Birch Plywood School or Cafe Chairs -35 Available
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Hudson, NY
36 available. Elegant grey framed school chairs with bent birch plywood seats and backs. These are vintage midcentury school chairs th...
Metal
Sculptural Solid Maple Carved Dining Chairs by Cushman Contemporary of Vermont
By H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Hudson, NY
Lovely solid hard rock maple chairs manufactured by Cushman of Vermont. These chairs are quite rare and from a small line produced by Cushman called ...
Upholstery, Wood, Maple
Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar Elegant Leather Office Chairs 10 Available
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Hudson, NY
10 available- Priced per chair Absolutely stunning butter soft leather Roger Sprunger for Dunbar office chairs on smooth gliding casters. All original chairs are in very good condit...
Metal
Hans Wegner Carl Hansen Black Wood wishbone Woven Natural Papercord CH24 Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a single black finished ash Hans Wegner Y chair (wishbone chair) that features amazing and sturdy woven papercord seat. Labeled chair still...
Papercord, Ash
6 Black Lacquered Michael Taylor for Baker Dining Chairs w. Interlocking Circle
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare and fabulous set of Michael Taylor for Baker dining chairs which includes 4 side chairs and 2 armchairs in very good origin...
Gold Leaf
