Jens Risom Settees
Danish, American, 1916-2016
The Danish-born Jens Risom brought the Scandinavian modern design sensibility to a wide audience in the United States. As the first designer for Knoll Inc., Risom introduced American buyers to the region’s enduring design values of simplicity, grace and craftsmanship.
Risom trained in furniture making at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design under Ole Wanscher, alongside classmates Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen. In 1939, a year after graduating from business school, Risom decided to move to the U.S.
While working for an interior designer in New York in 1941, he met Hans Knoll, and the businessman and the designer hit it off. They brought out their first line the next year, despite wartime materials restrictions. The signature piece — now a design icon — was a lounge chair with a striking, undulant birch frame and a seat made of webbed sub-military grade parachute straps. Risom was drafted into the army, and served as a translator under General George Patton. When he returned from the war, Risom clashed over furniture design ideals with his business partner’s new bride, Florence Knoll, the pioneering mid-century modernist who was schooled in the Bauhaus method, which favored furniture with strict, geometric metal frames. Risom then started his own company, Jens Risom Design.
In the course of his long career, Risom developed a stylistic vocabulary that was a reflection of the life of the man himself: his furniture has Danish warmth coupled with an American air of crisp efficiency. Vintage Risom chairs are almost instantly recognizable — the arms and seat backs are set at a distinctive angle that seems to invite people to sit back and relax, yet they know they can hop up in an instant, ready to go.
As you will see on these pages, Jens Risom is one of the great men of American modern design who made furniture that is unique and timeless.
Find a collection of vintage Jens Risom furniture on 1stDibs that includes lounge chairs, desks, coffee tables and more.
1
3
to
2
1
3
3
3
2
3
3
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
250
22
18
16
16
Creator: Jens Risom
Jens Risom Armless Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
An early Jens Risom armless sofa with maple frame. Older restoration in Knoll boucle.
Category
1950s Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Maple
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater USA - 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater. Oak frame
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Two Seater Sofa - Walnut Settee by Jens Risom Design
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States.
Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D
Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D
Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Velvet, Walnut, Upholstery, Fabric
Related Items
Three-Seat Jens Risom Sofa for Risom Design Inc multicolored fabric with stripes
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
This Jens Risom sofa for Risom Design Inc. is in good condition. The solid walnut frame has been oiled and is in vintage condition with normal wear with age (slight imperfections). T...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
H 33.47 in W 89.38 in D 31.5 in
Chippendale Style Camelback Sofa with a Single Seat Cushion, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Chippendale style came lback sofa with a single cushion, 20th century. Made by Southwood Furniture maker in Hickory, North Carolina. New Upholstery is required.
Category
20th Century American Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Mahogany
Wicker Works Link Newly Upholstered Sofa Settee
By Wicker Works
Located in Miami, FL
Wicker Works Link newly upholstered sofa settee
Offered for sale is a Wicker Works two-seater sofa with newly upholstered cushions. The woven ...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Fabric, Wicker
Early Jens Risom Knoll Associates Armless Settee
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic early Knoll Associates sofa designed by Jens Risom in the early 1940s. Solid birch base with sleek angled and tapering legs support a comfortable cantilevered seat with origi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Birch, Upholstery
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size.
In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Mohair, Wood
Italian Modern Two Seat Sofa, c. 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning two seat settee features sculpted hardwood arms with sleek and delicate legs. Unique vintage fabric adds to the mid-century appeal of this elegant Italian love seat...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Upholstery
Victorian Carved Walnut Settee, 19th Century
Located in Southall, GB
Victorian carved walnut settee
A mid-19th century Victorian carved walnut settee.
The settee has a domed back with a highly decorative carve...
Category
19th Century English Antique Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Walnut
Rare Early Eero Saarinen Womb Sofa / Settee, Knoll, USA, 1950s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in London, GB
A very rare early production Eero Saarinen womb settee, made by Knoll, USA, 1950s. Fibreglass, black enameled steel frames and first edition feet ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Steel
Modern George Nakashima Armless Settee
By George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century George Nakashima sofa featuring no arms, angled slat back, matching throw pillows and cushions.
This item includes a letter of authentific...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Walnut
Hans Wegner Danish Armless Sofa
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern Danish sofa designed by Hans Wegner. A streamlined form without arms and tubular chrome legs. Upholstered in it's original lilac fabric.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Chrome
Jens Risom Sofa by Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
This early Risom model 37 sofa for Knoll is classic mid-century. Designed in 1946, the dynamic, but restrained form speaks to Risom's Scandinavian heritage. The upholstered body is s...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Birch, Upholstery
Stunning Mid Century Modern Sofa attributed to Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Mid Century Modern Sofa attributed to Jens Risom..Amazing style and design.. Unusual star base's ,Recently reupholstered,Extremely comfortable,,Hand delivery avail to New Yo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Aluminum
Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Oak Settee
By Marble Imperial, Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
for Marble Furniture c. 1960s, signed. There are flaws on the oak frame consistent with heavy use and the piece’s age, but overall they lend to a great vintage patina. The wear inclu...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Oak
Jens Risom Armless Settee in Walnut Cradle Frames with Linen Upholstery
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
Georgeous Jens Risom slipper settee with a solid walnut frame. Very comfortable and restored to the highest possible standard.
Matching lounge chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Linen, Walnut
Rare Vintage Signed Jens Risom Settee in Walnut & Wool, 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare and early two seater sofa or settee by Jens Risom for Risom Manufacturing Corp. in walnut & original nubby wool upholstery with hand-stitching. Completely original vintage con...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Other
Jens Risom Walnut Cradled Settee
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
Small sofa designed by Jens Risom from the 1960s fully restored. New perennials upholstery, new foam, frame trued and refinished. An exceptional looking design created with ergonomic...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Settee, Model U-251
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Stunning Jens Risom for Jens Risom designs settee, model U-251, circa 1950s. Sculptural walnut bases have been completely restored. Newly upholstered in an off-white Maharam/Kvadrat coda...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Jens Risom Settee or Loveseat
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
An original Mid-Century Modern Jen Risom "floating" settee or loveseat on a walnut base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Styled Settee Love Seat
By Jens Risom
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Danish styled settee with walnut frame exposed in the rear and angled seat back with buttons upholstered in a tight moss green contract fabric. Ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Settees
Scandinavian Modern Sofa by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Original Jens Risom, Mid-Century sofa, newly upholstered in designer deep gray linen fabric.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Early Jens Risom for Knoll Maple and Wool Settee, 1940s
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare and early settee by Jens Risom for Knoll in original vintage condition. This sculptural settee was likely conceived for the historic "600 Series", a groundbreaking and influenti...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Maple, Plywood, Wool
Rare Sofa by Jens Risom, 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Rare sofa by Jens Risom Design, 1950s. An exceptional Danish Modern piece and one of Risom's most beautiful designs. The sculptural base is dark wal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Early Jens Risom Settee
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early two-seat settee mounted on sculptural walnut legs was designed by Jens Risom for his eponymous furniture manufacturing firm, Jens Risom Design Inc. The piece is newly upho...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Silk, Walnut
Jens Risom "Floating" Sculptural Loveseat or Settee
By Jens Risom
Located in Hudson, NY
Great design on this all original loveseat. Comfortably designed upholstered body sits atop a walnut frame base. Upholstery is original and should b...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom settees for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom settees are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jens Risom settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by Adrian Pearsall, Russell Woodard, and Herman Miller. Prices for Jens Risom settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,800 and can go as high as $13,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Settees
- Who is Jens Risom?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Jens Risom was a Danish designer. Many people credit him with bringing the modern style of Scandinavian design to the U.S. He is well-known for his chairs, which feature angled seat backs often upholstered with webbing. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Jens Risom furniture.
- Was Jens Risom Danish?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Jens Risom was Danish. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 8, 1916, and attended Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design. Following his graduation, Risom moved to the U.S., where he lived for the rest of his life. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Jens Risom furniture.
- Who sells Jens Risom rockers?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Normally, vintage furniture dealers or auction and online platforms specializing in authentic vintage furniture sell Jens Risom rockers. From time to time, rocking chairs produced by the Danish designer may appear at thrift shops and secondhand stores or be available directly from individuals who own them. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Jens Risom chairs.