Jens Quistgaard tray

This serving tray was designed by Jens H. Quistgaard and produced by Nissen Langå in Denmark during the 1950s. Constructed from solid teak, the tray presents an organically refined shape with softly tapered ends and integrated cut-out handles on either side. The overall silhouette resembles a subtle boat form, with gently curved long edges and chamfered corners, reflecting Quistgaard’s signature approach that blends sculptural qualities with practical function.

The teak surface shows a warm, reddish-brown hue with clearly visible linear and interlocking grain patterns, typical of well-aged teak wood. Along the longer edges, a raised carved rim is gently recessed into the surface, serving to help secure items placed on the tray. The craftsmanship is meticulous, featuring smooth, flowing transitions and hand-finished details that highlight the skilled Danish woodworking tradition prevalent in the mid-century period.

Jens H. Quistgaard (1919–2008) was a seminal figure in Scandinavian modern design, renowned internationally for his role as founding designer at Dansk and for producing a broad range of housewares that combined modernist principles with traditional craftsmanship. His work with Nissen Langå, which predates his collaboration with Dansk, includes several teak serving pieces that are now considered classics. Quistgaard’s designs typically balance industrial production techniques with a strong artisan quality, visible in this tray’s elegant form and detailed finish.

The tray is preserved in good vintage condition, showing minor surface wear and a natural patina consistent with its age and utilitarian use. It exemplifies the understated yet tactile sensibility characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian functional objects.

The dimensions are 52 cm in width, 26 cm in depth, and 3.5 cm in height, approximately 20.5 inches wide, 10.2 inches deep, and 1.4 inches high.