Sofa by Jens Risom
View Similar Items
Sofa by Jens Risom
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 78 in (198.12 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1949
- Condition:reupholstered, legs original with patina.
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8473769408
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.
- Classic Sofa by Frits Henningsen, circa 1938By Frits HenningsenLocated in Hudson, NYThree-seat sofa with Cuban mahogany frame; classical style with curving arms on six solid mahogany legs. Chosen as one of the 100 Danish masterpieces in the same named book, page 38,...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Three seater sofa "Eva", design Bruno MathssonBy Bruno MathssonLocated in Hudson, NYBruno Mathsson (1907-1988) is one of Sweden's most prominent furniture designers. Having a father who worked as a master carpenter, Mathsson learned about furniture carpentry at an e...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBentwood
- Kaare Klint Three-Seat Sofas for Rud. Rasmussen 1940By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Hudson, NYTwo available Kaare Klint sofas design in 1940 for Rud Rasmussen cabinet maker upholstered in muslin.One of the foremost designers of early Danish modern.. Newly reupholstered in of...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Jens H. Quistgaard Large Teak Bowls for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Hudson, NYThree solid teak bowls made in butcher block technique, designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for "Dansk". Marked on bottom.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- one available Glass Pedants Designed by Carl Fagerlund for OrreforsBy Orrefors, Carl FagerlundLocated in Hudson, NYTwo half glass cylinders with single socket and brass rod.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Folding Chair by ThonetBy ThonetLocated in Hudson, NYInvalid furniture war design in 1890's ,this example is from early 1920s folding bentwood chair partial paper label under the seat ,picture of this m...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
MaterialsBentwood
$1,100
- Sofa by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in Sagaponack, NYA three (3) seat sofa on a teak frame base retaining the original yellow upholstery.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak, Upholstery
$16,000 - Jens Risom Sofa by KnollBy Knoll, Jens RisomLocated in Highland, INThis 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
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBirch, Upholstery
$4,200 - Long Mid-Century Sofa by Jens Risom ManufacturingBy Jens RisomLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis large-scale sofa measures over 9 feet long and makes a unique and stylish seating addition to any interior. Comfortable and stunning in it's size and simplicity, the design by J...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$4,116 Sale Price26% Off - Model 250 Armless Sofa by Jens Risom - 2 AvailableBy Jens RisomLocated in Las Vegas, NV2 AVAILABLE - Immaculate Jens Risom Model-250 High back Armless Slipper Sofa. These sofas are STUNNING, their armless, slightly reclined silhouette and gorgeous walnut frames give t...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
$6,800 / item - Vintage Walnut Sofa Model U-150 by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage walnut sofa designed by the iconic designer Jens Risom in the United States, circa 1950s. Transform your living space with this exquisitely ref...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut, Leather
- Vintage Walnut Frame Sofa by Jens Risom DesignsBy Jens RisomLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Walnut Frame Sofa by Jens Risom Designs. newly reupholstered with Maharam fabric. The exposed walnut back leg frame adds a beautiful accent ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut