Are you fond of fondue?

We picked up not one, not two, but three fondue sets at the weekend – it was a fondue frenzy!!

Strictly speaking, one of them is just a fondue pan, but the quality and pattern are so good that we couldn’t resist. It’s enamelled cast iron and produced by Le Creuset.

Next, we have a fabulous design by a fabulous designer – Jens Quistgaard. The pan & warmer was produced by his company Dansk Designs in the 1950s/60s. It comes from the Kobenstyle range and is functional and great looking too.

From cast iron and enamel onto stainless steel – and one of the material’s greatest exponents – namely Lundtofte of Denmark. This set has everything – pan, warmer, stand, forks… even the original box.

A fondue is a great idea for a dinner party with a twist – or delicious addition to an outdoor barbecue or picnic. All available in our web shop now.

The very stylish Kobenstyle

We bought this gorgeous vintage chilli red enamel pan this week. It’s from the Kobenstyle range designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs.

It was one object from a very colourful array picked up at a local flea market. We like them all, but the casserole has to be our favourite. We’ve always loved this design – it’s both practical and great to look at. The pans are hard-wearing and easy to manipulate & move around. The lid can also be turned upside down to act as a trivet for the hot pan. It’s an absolute kitchen classic!

This particular stamp (‘four duck’ logo & ‘Denmark’) means that the pan was produced in Denmark somewhere between 1959 & 1965. Later pieces were produced in France and Japan. It was out of production for quite a while, but the range has been re-issued and is now produced in Thailand.

So – a design we love, a sought after early example, great condition, amazing colour. This has all the hallmarks of a keeper! But no, stop the press, it’s for sale. The chilli red actually clashes with our orange kitchen scheme, so we’re going to let it go. It will absolutely perfect for someone out there. Available in our web shop now if that person is you!

J is for… Jens

_{1. collection of pepper grinders, 2. vintage Scandinavian enamelware, 3. Dansk pot, 4. paella pan, 5. Dansk grinders & shakers, 6. mostly vintage Finel , 7. my collection of vintage enamel pots from Scandinavia, 8. Dansk – Kobenstyle – Quistgaard, 9. Quistgaard pepper mill, 10. Kobenstyle Pot, 11. untitled, 12. Vintage pots, 13. Jens Quistgaard bead candleholders, 14. salt & pepper grinders 15. grandmother’s dansk, 16. vintage Dansk Ltd IHQ QUISTGAARD Danish Modern mid century modernism candle tiny taper holder, 17. Danish pitcher, 18. pepper grinder, 19. red Dansk Kobenstyle stock pot, 20. Kobenstyle score}

Danish-born Jens Quistgaard was one of Scandinavia’s leading designers with a vast product range that included furniture, kitchen equipment, tableware and more. He is most closely associated with Dansk International Designs, a company which he co-founded with American entrepreneur Ted Nierenberg.

Their partnership lasted for 30 years, Quistgaard being responsible for the majority of designs produced.

He worked in a variety of materials including iron, steel, ceramic and wood. It is wood, and in particular teak, which most often springs to mind when Jens Quistgaard is mentioned. Classic pieces such as his teak ice bucket, designed in 1960.

Also, the Fjord cutlery range designed in 1953, this time teak combined with stainless steel.

There are plenty of pieces in other materials that are worth looking out for.

We love these vibrantly coloured, cast iron enamel cooking pots from the Kobenstyle range of 1954.

His cast iron candle holders from 1955 combine sculptural shapes with a distinctive industrial quality.

Sadly, he passed away this January at the age of 88. However, he left a wonderful legacy which lives on in his designs.

We often have Quistgaard pieces available in the H is for Home web shop.

For more information about Jens Quistgaard and Dansk Designs, try some of the following books & websites:

Scandinavian Design by Charlotte & Peter Fiell (Amazon UK)
Architonic – Feature of a selection of Jens Quistgaard products
DesignAddict – Feature of a selection of Jens Quistgaard products
New York Times – Jens Quistgaard obituary

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Kobenstyle

Are you fond of fondue?

The very stylish Kobenstyle

J is for… Jens