Boxed, Cast Iron Candle Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Design, (1960s) Denmark

Cast Iron Candle Holder by Dansk Designs (Jens Quistgaard)
Denmark, c. 1960s 18cm in diame

This sculptural cast iron candle holder was designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, one of the most influential companies in bringing Scandinavian modern design into everyday homes during the mid-20th century.

Formed as a circular arrangement of individual candle cups raised on slender feet, the design balances weight and lightness beautifully. The organic, almost crown-like silhouette is typical of Quistgaard’s approach: practical objects with strong sculptural presence. Cast iron was a material he used frequently for its durability and tactile, honest character.

Designed to hold slim taper candles, the piece creates a striking centrepiece when lit, with candlelight reflected across the surface beneath. It works equally well as a functional candle holder or as a decorative object when not in use.

Details
– Cast iron
– Holds multiple taper candles
– Original Dansk box included
– Designed and made in Denmark

Jens Harald Quistgaard (23 April 1919 – 4 January 2008) was a Danish sculptor and industrial designer celebrated for bringing Scandinavian modern design into everyday household objects. Born in Copenhagen into an artistic family, he trained in sculpture and silversmithing before becoming a freelance designer after World War II. His early work included knives, jewelry, ceramics, and cutlery.  

Quistgaard’s breakthrough came in the early 1950s with his Fjord cutlery, an innovative combination of stainless steel and teak, that attracted international attention. In 1954 an American entrepreneur, Ted Nierenberg, co-founded Dansk Designs in the United States and brought Quistgaard on as chief designer. Over the next three decades he created more than 4,000 products for Dansk, including iconic flatware, teak wood serving pieces, colorful Købenstyle cookware, pepper mills, stoneware, and tableware that helped define Scandinavian Modern style in American homes.  

His designs are known for combining simplicity, functionality, and organic form, making everyday objects both useful and visually compelling. Many of his pieces remain in production and are held in museum collections worldwide, reflecting his lasting impact on modern design.