Jens Risom A-chair – Metal Base
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Designer),Fredericia (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.65 in (88.02 cm)Width: 32.28 in (82 cm)Depth: 29.92 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2021
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:8-9 weeks
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Berkeley, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1353223296532
Jens Risom
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.
Fredericia
Since the early 20th century, Fredericia has manufactured alluring and sophisticated Scandinavian furniture produced with the highest standards of quality in mind. The Danish brand collaborates with today’s top design talent and over time partnered with celebrated mid-century modernists such as Hans Wegner, Arne Vodder, Jens Risom — a leading figure in Scandinavian design and Knoll’s first designer — and Nanna Ditzel, whose Hanging Egg chair for Sika was a favorite for flashy fashion shoots of the 1960s.
Fredericia was founded in 1911 by N.P. Ravnsø as the Fredericia Chair Factory. In 1930, with the idea of creating a range of durable furniture made in the traditional styles of the era, Fredericia secured a license to manufacture pieces for German company Thonet.
In 1955 Danish businessman Andreas Graversen acquired Fredericia. Graversen had previously established what would become a long-lived partnership with notable furniture designer Børge Mogensen, a former teaching assistant to pioneering architect and designer Kaare Klint. Graversen sought to introduce modern flourishes to traditional Scandinavian furniture design at Fredericia — and owing to his business savvy and vision, coupled with Mogensen's artistic sensibilities and deep understanding of organic materials, the company successfully debuted various furnishings designed in the Scandinavian modern style that are still coveted today.
Fredericia brought Mogensen's iconic Spanish chair to market in 1958. With its solid European oak frame, wide armrests and suspended saddle leather seat and backrest, this signature piece solidified Fredericia's standing in Denmark — and around the world — as a premier furniture company. Mogensen designed many renowned pieces during his career at Fredericia, including the practical, rustic Hunting chair.
After Mogensen's death in 1972, Fredericia continued to flourish as a manufacturer. The company continues to work with legendary designers — witness its impossibly innovative Stingray rocking chair, designed by Thomas Pedersen, for example — and in 2020 acquired the Erik Jørgensen furniture company. Fredericia is now owned by Graversen's son, Thomas Graversen.
On 1stDibs, explore a range of vintage Fredericia seating, storage pieces and tables.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Berkeley, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Jens Risom Model 6500 Magazine TableBy Fredericia, Jens RisomLocated in Berkeley, CAJens Risom Model 6500 magazine table is designed in 1949, the magazine table reflects Risom’s idea that key to good design is comfort, the warmth of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsOak
- Cherner Armchair with Metal BaseBy The Cherner Chair Company, Norman ChernerLocated in Berkeley, CAThe 1958 molded plywood stacking chairs by Norman Cherner are perfect for home, office or cafe. The seat is made of laminated plywood of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Space Copenhagen Spine Chair, Metal BaseBy Space Copenhagen, FredericiaLocated in Berkeley, CASpace Copenhagen spine chair, metal base a clean and modern visual language characterizes the Spine collection, and this latest addition of a metal base st...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Space Copenhagen Spine Lounge Chair, Metal BaseBy Space Copenhagen, FredericiaLocated in Berkeley, CASpace Copenhagen spine lounge chair is a light lounge chair for residential homes or open lounge areas. The accented detailing on the fully upholste...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Hugo Passos Calmo Lounge Chair 95, Metal BaseBy FredericiaLocated in Berkeley, CAThe Hugo Passos Calmo lounge chair 95 – Metal base chair boasts an elegant linear look, with a graceful curve inside each arm rest as a discrete signa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Hugo Passos Calmo Lounge Chair 80, Metal BaseBy FredericiaLocated in Berkeley, CAThe Hugo Passos Calmo lounge chair 80, metal base chair boasts an elegant linear look, with a graceful curve inside each arm rest as a discrete signat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Jens Risom Lounge ChairsBy Jens RisomLocated in Atlanta, GAClean lined lounge chairs, designed by Jens Risom, American, circa 1960s. Risom's designs always give a nod to Danish modern design, and these chairs are no exception. They have clea...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Jens Risom Playboy chairsBy Jens RisomLocated in New York, NYJens Risom walnut armchairs model C140 Playboy chairs. Mad Men era arm chairs that became know as "Playboy chairs" after a 1961 Playboy Magazine photoshoot. Solid oiled walnut frame...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Swivel Chair by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn upholstered swiveling lounge chair in leather with a tilt mechanism on a metal disc base.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair Jens Risom Playboy chairsBy Jens RisomLocated in New York, NYA pair Jens Risom walnut armchairs model C140 Playboy chairs. Iconic Mad Men era chairs. All original in very good condition. This is a great set of ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Jens Risom Mid Century Arm ChairBy Jens RisomLocated in Hudson, NYA classic Jens Risom mid century open arm chair circa 1965. Upholstered with a white leather seat. Beautiful carved walnut is ergonomically designed for your comfort and visual pleas...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Lounge ChairsBy Jens RisomLocated in Pasadena, TXJens Risom Jens Risom emigrated from Europe to the U.S. when he was just 23 years of age. Like other Scandinavian designers such as Josef Frank and Kaare Klint, Risom continued to h...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut