In addition to having invented an alloy that drastically reduced the foundry production costs associated with making bronze, copper and brass, Danish designer and silversmith Just Andersen created sculptural furnishings, accessories and decor that are widely coveted and collectible today. Disko, an alloy made of lead, tin and antimony, shares characteristics with brass, and many of Andersen’s antique candle holders, vases and vessels and other decorative objects — produced in Art Nouveau, Scandinavian neoclassical and Art Deco styles — contain this material.
Growing up in Greenland, Andersen was originally a sculptor and painter. He moved to Copenhagen and attended the Royal Academy of Art and the School of Danish Crafts. At the latter, he studied under Jens Møller Jensen.
Andersen trained in silversmithing in Copenhagen with Mogens Ballin and with the revered Danish silver firm Peter Hertz. Working in Ballin’s workshop after it had changed hands when the founder’s wife fell ill during the early 1900s, Andersen sharpened and refined his skills. He completed unfinished projects of Ballin’s when he passed away in 1914, sometimes partnering with Jean Rene Gauguin in order to do so. Andersen opened Just Andersen Pewter in 1918, where he produced objects in silver and gold but also in pewter, bronze and his alloy, disko, which he named after Greenland’s Disko Bay.
Andersen created designs for Georg Jensen, Peter Hertz, A. Michelsen and other manufacturers. He opened showrooms in several cities including Berlin and Los Angeles. Andersen’s work is held in the collections of museums all over the world.
Find antique Just Andersen decorative objects, lighting and ceramics on 1stDibs.
$790
H 3.94 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in
Danish Grace vase in Disko Metal, by Just Andersen, 1920/30s / Art Deco
By Just Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare, decorative vase in disko metal by Just Andersen, Danish Grace / Art Deco 1920/30s. With two handles and hallmark: JUST in triangle, Denmark and model D18. About the artist...
Metal
Just Andersen Art Nouveau Vases, Disco Metal, Figurative Motifs, 1930
By Just Andersen
Located in København K, 84
A rare and refined pair of Art Nouveau vases by Danish sculptor and metalsmith Just Andersen, crafted in his signature disco metal and shaped into elegant, upward-reaching V-form sil...
Bronze
$336
H 3.94 in W 5.71 in D 3.67 in
1920's Danish Just Andersen Art Deco Disco Metal Vase in Good Vintage Condition
By Just Andersen
Located in Knebel, DK
1920's Danish Just Andersen Art Deco vase in Disco Metal The vase is in good vintage condition and made of disco metal, a metal mixture invented by Just Andersen by combining lead ...
Metal
Danish Art Deco Vase in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s.
By Just Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Art Deco Vase in Disko Metal by Just Andersen, 1930s. Large and substantial Art Deco vase or urn with fluted body and two handles. Made in Denmark by Just Andersen with his t...
Metal
Just Andersen Art Deco Vase in Disko Metal, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare bottle-shaped metal vase with unusual ornamental relief panels. Designed and made by Just Andersen in Denmark circa 1935-39. Model: D2195 (stamped 'Just D2195, Denmark'). It i...
Metal, Pewter
$480
H 3.75 in W 5.32 in D 3.15 in
Danish Art Deco Scandinavian Diskometal Vase by Just Andersen, Model D‑118, 1930
By Just Andersen
Located in Odense, DK
A finely crafted Art Deco Scandinavian decorative vase by Just Andersen, model D‑118, produced in Denmark around the 1930s and executed in Diskometal, a proprietary alloy historicall...
Metal, Bronze
$2,995
H 8.67 in W 8.08 in D 4.53 in
Rare Art Deco Bronze Vase by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s
By Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström, Evan Jensen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bronze Art Deco / Swedish Grace vase with amazing patina. Made by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Great original condition, with some scuffs and light scratche...
Bronze
GAB Orio Bronze Vase, Art Deco Style, Sweden, 1936
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bronze vase made by Orio - GAB in the 1930's.
Bronze
Art Deco Vase '159' in Disco Metal by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Balen, BE
Art Deco Vase No. 159 in Disco Metal by Just Andersen – Denmark, 1930s Featuring “Adam and Eve” Relief Motif This rare Art Deco vase, model no. 159, was designed by Just Andersen in...
Brass
$442
H 3.94 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in
1920s Art Deco vase by danish sculptor and silversmith Just Andersen, Copenhagen
By Just Andersen
Located in København K, 84
This striking 1920s Art Deco vase by Danish sculptor and silversmith Just Andersen, crafted in his signature patinated Disco metal, exemplifies th...
Metal
Just Andersen, Denmark Disko Metalware 1930 Scandinavian Twin Handle Vase #D133
By Just Andersen
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark Art Deco Disko metal, shaped vase with twin handles to neck. Understated dark grey patina and original in design Scandinavian metalware at it's best Stamped ...
Metal
Piscine Stoneware Vase Applied Silver, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg #1029
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb bijou vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden from the Argenta collection. Decorated with a stylised fish of applied silver on mottled green stoneware. Circa 1930's Ba...
Silver
Flora And Fauna Stoneware Urn Vase, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg, c1949
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delicate sprigs of wildflowers and tiny insects adorn this piece from the Argenta series by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden Wonderful mottled glazed stoneware vase decorated wit...
Silver
Stig Lindberg - Grazia For Gustavsberg, Applied Silver Stoneware Vase c1946-1950
By Stig Lindberg
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Grazia vase with matt white glaze by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden Stoneware work of art, embellished with intricate floral silver decoratio...
Silver
Fine Wedgwood Ordinary Lustre Exotic Gilded Birds Baluster Vase #Z5986
By Daisy Makeig-Jones
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fine quality Wedgwood porcelain baluster vase created by Daisy Makeig-Jones. Rich and vibrant colours and gilding excel on this piece of highly collectible lustre Wedgwood...
Porcelain
Josef Ekberg, Gustavsberg Of Sweden, Shaped Lustre Vase With Hand Applied Gilt
By Josef Ekberg
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A super little vase glazed with an intriguing sea green lustre and hand decorated with gilt decoration by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden Wonderful Ekberg craftsmanship Signed a...
Porcelain
