12 Facts About Jens Quistgaard

Jens Harald Quistgaard was a Danish sculptor and designer, known principally for his work for the American company Dansk Designs, where he was chief designer from 1954 and for the following three decades.

Jens Quistgaard grew up in an artistic home in Copenhagen and already as a boy, demonstrated unusual artistic talents.

Jens Quistgaard was trained as a sculptor by his father, Harald Quistgaard, and was later educated as a drawer and silversmith at the technical school in Copenhagen.

Jens Quistgaard produced jewellery, hunting knives, ceramic works, glass and graphic design in the form of monograms, town arms and the like.

Jens Quistgaard was hugely productive and for Danish Designs alone fashioned more than 4000 products.

The series together with the other woodware was produced by Nissens Woodworking Factory in Denmark, which Jens Quistgaard designed special works for in the 1960s, amongst others the unusual Stick chair from 1966.

Jens Quistgaard designed everything, from the large roof constructions and window sections to the doorhandles, bathtub and spiral staircase.

Dansk Designs started their own shop in the High Street in Copenhagen, in London and in Stockholm, and Jens Quistgaard's designs were exhibited and sold in Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, Zurich, Melbourne, Johannesburg and many other big cities.

Jens Quistgaard continued as chief designer for Dansk Designs until the start of the 1980s, when he moved to Rome.

Jens Quistgaard lived there until 1993, and returned to Denmark, where he continued to design until a few months before his death in 2008.

Jens Quistgaard died at age 88 on January 4,2008, at his home "Strandgaarden" near Vordingborg, Denmark.

Jens Quistgaard was survived by a daughter, a son and several grandchildren.