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.
Coffe Table by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stokke coffee table designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark, circa 1960. Rosewood and polished metal. Excellent vintage condition.
Rosewood
Coffee table decorated with brown tiles by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Coffee table in patinated oak decorated with brown tiles. Stamped by manufacturer Nissen Langaa. Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard.
Stoneware, Oak
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood and Stainless Steel Table by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Danish rosewood and stainless steel table by Quistgaard Danish, c. 1950 Height 46cm, width 78cm, depth 78cm Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919–2008), a celebrat...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Danish Chrome and Rosewood Coffee Table by Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Modern Danish chrome and rosewood coffee table by Quistgaard. Danish, c. 1960 Measures: height 47cm, width 77.5cm, depth 77.5cm. This elegant Mid-Century Modern coffee table is crafted from rosewood and chrome. The coffee table feature a square tabletop with a raised lip, which is supported by four curved chrome legs joined by two sets of stretchers: one pair of rosewood stretchers...
Chrome
Danish Modern Coffee Table by Quistgaard and Richard Nissen
By Jens Quistgaard, Richard Nissen
Located in London, GB
This stylish coffee table was created by the famous designer, Jens Harald Quistgaard (Danish, 1919-2008). Quistgaard was the chief designer at an American company named Dansk Designs...
Metal
Vintage Danish Rosewood Coffee Table by Severin Hansen, 1960s
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Rosewood Coffee table by Severin Hansen, 1960s Elegant and stylish mid-century modern table by Danish designer Sev...
Rosewood
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in Dm 19.5 in
Side Table or Fruit Bowl Attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX of Sweden
By Jens Quistgaard, Dux of Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Side table / fruit bowl attributed to Jens Harald Quistgaard dor DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. The table has a removable concaved top that can be used as a try and is in very good vint...
Teak
$1,516
H 21.26 in Dm 31.5 in
Danish Midcentury Brutalist Round Coffee Table of Solid Oak by Cabinetmaker 1950
By Otto Færge 1, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish brutalist style round coffee table of solid oak with a heavy tabletop on four square legs. On each of the four legs is a hand-carved relief. Manufactured by a Danish cabinetma...
Oak
$4,667
H 17.33 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Finn Juhl FJ-57 Teak Coffee Table, Scandinavian Modern, Denmark
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Paris, FR
Rare teak coffee model table FJ-57 designed by Finn Juhl in 1957. Top made from highly figured teak wood supported by a black lacquered metal X-base frame on turned teak wood feet. ...
Metal
Chinoiserie Brown Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Coffee Table
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive French chinoiserie brown lacquer coffee or cocktail table with gilt painted decoration, circa 1940's, France. Set upon graceful cabriole legs and draped apron, the to...
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Square Walnut Coffee Table by Bassett
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern coffee table features unique raised edges and tapered legs. Sleek design with stretchers between each leg ensuring sturdiness without sacrificing style. The ...
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table; model 4010 designed 1961 revolving top with locking mechanism, solid walnut tapered legs. 42" Diameter 16" Height C...
Walnut
$6,990
H 12 in W 47 in D 18 in
Roger Capron - Coffee Table with Terra Cotta Garrigue and Brown Tiles, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. Mr. Capron was often balancing his designs by incorporating either brown or white enameled t...
Ceramic, Wood
Mid-Century Danish Teak Extendable Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well constructed Danish modern table with two 16.75" hidden extension leaves which can be opened independently or together for a maximum width of 96". A Sleek design with two stretch...
Teak
1960s Danish Teak Coffee Table with Tiles
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished
Wood, Teak, Ceramic
$2,182
H 21.07 in W 60.24 in D 22.45 in
Scandinavian Modern Vintage Teak Coffee Table Johannes Andersen, 1960s, Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage teakwood coffee table with two drawers and screwable legs. A beautiful Scandinavian modern coffee table designed by Johannes Andersen, 1960s, Denmark. The...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Coffee Table w/ Tapered Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely stunning mid-century rosewood coffee table. A large tabletop, bold lines, and tapered legs show off the wood grain's natural colors and beauty. A perfect addition for any ...
Rosewood
Round teak coffee table by Jens Quistgaard
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brescia, IT
Sculptural teak coffee table with removable tray, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, Denmark. Round teak coffee table designed by sculptor Jens Quistgaard for Richard N...
Teak
Jens H. Quistgaard Oak Coffee Table with Tile Inlay
By Richard Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular coffee table by Jens H. Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, c.1950s Denmark features a hand-oiled oak frame with Azur tile inlay along the table top. The tile pattern is one o...
Ceramic, Oak
Jens Quistgaard Teak Coffee Table
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
Created by Danish designer Jens Quistgaard for IHQ in the 1950s, this coffee table is a wonderfully unique piece. With its statement curved tray like shape and handles, this table is...
Teak
Mid Century Jens Quistgaard Stokke Rosewood Coffee Table for Nissen, c1960s
By Nissen, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exceptional and rare mid-century modern Stokke Rosewood Coffee Table by celebrated designer Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, circa 1960s. This meticulously refinished piece...
Chrome
Jens Quistgaard Side Table for DUX of Sweden (Two Available)
By Dux of Sweden, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for DUX, 1950s, in teak. We have two available. Price is per table. The exquisitely shaped wood top can be removed and used a tray or function as a decorative bowl, with one side being flat and the other being curved. The sculptor Jens Harald Quistgaard worked with solid wood, often glueing cut blocks together before carving the individual components. He achieved the tray’s round motif by using various layers and multiple grain structures, making the piece both decorative and incredibly sturdy. Whether you are looking for a unique side table set up or wanting a matching side table for your accent chairs, the versatileness of these tables make them the best option for any space. Dimensions: 17.25"H x 19.5" Diameter About the Designer: The postwar-era work of Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard is still exceedingly popular in living rooms in the United States, Europe and Japan, particularly in the homes of midcentury design enthusiasts. Having created serving pieces and barware for Dansk Designs for 30 years, Quistgaard produced striking Scandinavian modernist designs that married function with striking, 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...
Teak
Circular Coffeetable by Jens Harald Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Circular coffee table, called 'Conical Stick Table' in rosewood and chrome-plated steel tube. Jens Harald Quistgaard / Nissen, Langå.
Steel
Jens H. Quistgaard Rosewood Coffee Table
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This coffee table by Jens H. Quistgaard for Nissen, c.1960s Denmark features a hand-oiled table top and frame composed of rich rosewood chrome plated steel. The...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 17.72 in W 24.81 in D 24.81 in
Jens Harald Quistgaard Teak Fruit Table with Concave Top, Sweden, 1960s
By Källemo, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
A typical Danish Mid-century design. This table is made of solid staves of teak laminated together; this gives the table a unique look. Jens Harald Quistgaard designed this tabled an...
Teak
Sold
H 19.69 in W 65.36 in D 26.38 in
Jens Harald Quistgaard IHQ Coffee Table of Oak and Tiles by Nissen Denmark 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish vintage IHQ Jens Harald Quistgaard large coffee table made by Nissen Langaa. The tile-topped table is made of solid oak with 96 ocher-colored tiles in Quistgaard´s famous pat...
Ceramic, Oak
Coffee Table by Jens H Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Culver City, CA
Circular wood and chromed steel table manufactured by Richard Nissen.
Chrome
Coffee Table by Jens H Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Culver City, CA
Circular wood and chromed steel table manufactured by Richard Nissen.
Chrome
Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langa Circular Rosewood and Chrome Coffee Table
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Oakland, CA
Round Brazilian rosewood coffee table designed by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen Langa, c/ 1966. The coffee table features a Brazilian rosewood circular top with raised edge and steel di...
Rosewood