Fjord Flatware

Jens H. Quistgaard

1953

A set of teak and stainless-steel flatware from 1953 by Jens H. Quistgaard that combines warm wooden handles with streamlined metal heads to make everyday utensils feel sculptural and comfortably ergonomic.

What strikes you first is the flowing silhouette—the tapered, hand-shaped teak handles contrasted with mirror-polished stainless-steel bowls and tines, creating a pleasing balance of warmth and cool modern gleam.

A hallmark of postwar Scandinavian modern design, Fjord flatware helped popularize human-centered, well-crafted yet mass-producible household objects and shaped midcentury tableware aesthetics internationally.

Palette

Art Terms

Good Design Design Industrial design Product design Mass production

Exhibitions

Good Design

1953

100 Useful Objects of Fine Design (available under $100)

1947

Recent Acquisitions, 1946–1953: Department of Architecture and Design

1953

Good Design: 5th Anniversary

1955