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Dansk Designs Barware

American

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.

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Creator: Dansk Designs
Vintage Dansk Danish Modern 'Rare Woods' Cocobolo Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Danish Modern wooden ice bucket. By Dansk. Designed by Jens Quistgaard. From Dansk's "Rare Woods" series. In cocobolo with straight sides and curved top, circular lid, and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Cocobolo

Danish Modern Five Bottle Solid Rosewood Wall-Mounted Wine Racks
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare Danish modern, five bottle capacity, solid rosewood wine. The racks are easy to install and in great condition. Five racks are available and they are priced individually; buy ...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Woods Rosewood Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A vintage 'Rare Woods' ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Features a plastic lined interior for ice storage with a removable lid with circular handhold. Beautiful and ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Rosewood

Monumental Dansk Staved Teak Bucket Style Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome and iconic staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. This is the monumental 19.25-inch-tall example. It is in outstanding vintage condition, circa 1950s-1960s. N...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Set of 20 Dansk JHQ Quistgaard Gustav French Wine Glasses
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large set totalling 20 Jens Quistgaard wine glasses. Acid etched Dansk JHQ France.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Glass

Seldom seen Jens Quistgaard Dansk tall JHQ ice bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large and rare tall ice bucket with fitted lid designed by Jens Quistgaard for the Dansk rare woods line. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line was the finest designs and exotic wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Wood

Vintage Dansk Extra Large Solid Teak Congo Ice Bucket by Quistgaard Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Dansk is one of the most celebrated makers of Mid-Century table and kitchenware. Their teaks and enamels are in designs that endure the decades make Dansk items highly sought after a...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Solid Teak Danish Congo Ice Bucket Model 810
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Model 810 Congo ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. The solid teak, Danish made ice bucket was designed in 1958. Distinguished for its elegant Scandinavian design and expert cra...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Large Early Stamp Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Staved Teak Serving Tray
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early Dansk teak tray with duck logo marked JHQ , staved teak, Danmark . Very nice basically un touched condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fulton, CA
Round teak Danish Modern ice bucket with lid. Plastic insert. Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Denmark. 1970's.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Danish Modern Dansk Quistgaard Congo Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Dansk Congo model teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard, for Dansk, c. 1950's. This is the hard to find large model ( 19 in. H ) with the early orange plastic liner...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Rare Jens H. Quistgaard Danish Modern Wenge Wood Ice Bucket Dansk Denmark, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Danish Modern Wenge Wood Ice Bucket designed by the Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark in the 1960's. From his 'Rare Woods’ Limited Edition collection. Scandinavi...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Wenge

Rare Woods Palisander Rosewood Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to find "Rare Woods" palisander rosewood ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The line was introduced in 1961, and "Rare Woods" products were made with the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Palisander

1960s Scandinavian Modern Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Teak Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Scandinavian Modern staved teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Cheese Cutting Board with Built in Knife, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Teak Cheese Board Mid-Century Modern Dansk IHQ designer Jens Quistgaard teak cheese cutting board with built in knife 1960s Made in Denmark. Beautiful piece that is emblematic of Dan...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Dansk Wine Carafe by Gunnar Cyren
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Made in Denmark. Vintage glass decanter designed by Gunnar Cyrén, circa 1980. Tall, beaker shaped pitcher with a sculpted teak stopper is the st...
Category

1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Glass, Teak

Dansk Designs Denmark JHQ Quistgaard stainless stir spoon olive fork
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early Dansk production cocktail pieces . Long stir spoon and olive fork . Both marked Dansk Designs Denmark JHQ and copyright "c" . The pair does show signs of minimal use .
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jens Harald Quistgaard Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Oakland, CA
Solid teak ice bucket with black plastic liner designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design, circa 1960 Denmark.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Large Size Teak Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Large Size Solid Teak Ice Bucket with Plastic Liner. Harder to find Large Example. Stamped bottom showing Denmark edition. and Quistgaard.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Dansk Denmark Quistgaard Design Stainless Steel Salt Pepper Shakers
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Jens Quistgaard design for Dansk. Salt and pepper shakers in stainless steel.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rare Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Denmark Solid Palisander Rosewood Ice Bucket
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1950s by Jens Quistgaard, this box is one of many designs he came up with for Dansk. This is one of the most special though. One of the largest available, it features...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Palisander, Rosewood

Dansk Danish Scandinavian Modern Sky Blue Enamel and Wicker Handle Pitcher Pot
By Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small vintage Dansk Kobenstyle Danish Scandinavian Modern sky-blue enamel and wicker wrapped handle sauce pot with poring lip, circa mid-2...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Scandinavian Modern Teak ‘Congo’ Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in London, GB
A fine example of a Scandinavian Modern teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard, a master of the sculptural paired back and simplistic form. This teak ice bucket has had its wood...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Dansk Large Teak Congo Ice Bucket by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Dansk is one of the most celebrated makers of Mid-Century table and kitchenware. Their teaks and enamels are in designs that endure the decades make Dansk items highly sought after a...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Set of Five Danish Modern Staved Teak Coaster Set by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of five Danish modern staved teak coasters by Dansk, circa 1970s. The coasters are in very good vintage condition and measure 3.75"D x .375"H each. Great quality staved teak...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Dansk Crystal Oval Facette Highball Glasses Set of 5
By Tiffany & Co., Jonathan Adler, Baccarat, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Tall, column like, crystal clear and modernist in essence, these beautiful glasses will make a statement in your bar. Each highball glass is 6” tall and 2.75” wide. All together, t...
Category

1990s French Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Crystal

Large Staved Teak 'Congo' Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Dansk 'Congo' ice bucket in staved teak designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Iconic, sculptural early example with signature orange plastic interior liner. Surface scratch along with one 7" crack to the orange plastic lining (crack does not affect the presentation of the bucket, remains solely an interior flaw). Exterior wear is minor and consistent with age/use. Listing is for the large bucket alone- image with this bucket and the standard size Dansk bucket...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Midcentury 1950s Solid Teak Danish Modern Rare Tray by Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible and beautiful design on this large solid teak, a tray designed by Quistgaard for Dansk, circa the 1950s, great condition with raised edges, incredible craftsmanship. early...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Jens Quistgaard Dansk Designs Scandinavian Modern Staved Teak Lidded Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Danish modern staved teak lidded ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. The interior is lined with orange plastic and the lid sits firmly on it. Branded with the e...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Midcentury Danish Teak Ice Bucket by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Jens Harald Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Danish modern large teak ice bucket was designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk circa 1950. This iconic piece features classic Scandinavian modern design wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Quistgaar Jhq Dansk Denmark Wenge Ice Bucket
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Ferndale, MI
Excellent overall condition age crack to body.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Wenge

Rosewood, Palisander Tall, Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Stamped
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great ice buacket designed, by Quistgaard, made for Dansk.
Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Teak Ice Bucket Collection by Jens Quistgaard JHQ Individually Priced
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Collection of six Danish teak ice buckets by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk and Nissan. Measures: Tallest 19.25" x 9.75" diameter Square: 8" wide x 8" deep x 9" tall.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Jens H. Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dansk is one of the most beloved and celebrated makers of mid-century table and kitchenware; whether its their use of teak or enamel, their designs endure even 60 years later, making...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Mid-century Jens Quistgaard for Danks Cube Ice Bucket c.1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century Jens Quistgaard Teak cube ice bucket with black, plastic insert. Impressed stamp on the bottom with maker's mark. CREATOR Dansk, Denmark. DATE...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Danish Staved Teak Banded Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk IHQ
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice, freshly oiled, lidded, staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in excellent condition and retains its original black plastic ice liner...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Mid-century Dansk Round Ice Bucket c.1960-1970
By Dansk
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century Teak round ice bucket with black, plastic insert. Impressed stamp on the bottom with maker's mark. CREATOR Dansk International Design Ltd, Malaysi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Mid-century Jens Quistgaard Danks Round Ice Bucket c.1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century Jens Quistgaard Teak round ice bucket with black, plastic insert. Impressed stamp on the bottom with maker's mark. CREATOR Dansk, Denmark. DAT...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Small Jens Qiuistgaard Dansk Denmark Teak Bowl
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Smaller size Dansk bowl. One I have never seen. Turned teak wood. Fine condition possibly never used. Marked JHQ Dansk Denmark.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Teak

Congo Ice Bucket by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1960's
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Barcelona, ES
Congo ice bucket designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960's. Teak wood and orange plastic interior for the ice cubes. A cla...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Plastic, Wood, Teak

1960s Jens Quistgaard Danish Rosewood Ice Bucket by Wenge
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Knebel, DK
Jens Quistgaard wenge rare ice bucket in conical form, flared at the base, with integrated handle and carved lid. Branded mark on base “wenge...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dansk Designs Barware

Materials

Rosewood

Dansk Designs barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Dansk Designs barware are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dansk Designs barware, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original barware by Dansk Designs were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider barware by Holmegaard, Richard Nissen, and Stelton. Prices for Dansk Designs barware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $150 and can go as high as $1,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $425.

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