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Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

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.

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Creator: Jens Risom
Pair of Vintage Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Armchairs
Pair of Vintage Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Armchairs

Pair of Vintage Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Armchairs

$5,120Sale Price / set|35% Off

Pair of Vintage Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Armchairs

By Jens Risom

Located in Pasadena, TX

A pair of walnut swivel lounge chairs in original purple composite upholstery with walnut bases and detachable suede cushions designed by Jens Risom.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Suede, Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

$10,395

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 26.5 wide x 25.5 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 23.5 inches Go...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Swivel Chair by Jens Risom
Swivel Chair by Jens Risom

Swivel Chair by Jens Risom

$6,800

Swivel Chair by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An upholstered swiveling lounge chair in leather with a tilt mechanism on a metal disc base.   

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

$10,395

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Swivel Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 26.5 wide x 25.5 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 23.5 inches Go...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Stunning Black Button Tufted Leather Swivel Chairs, Jens Risom for Marble, Pair
Stunning Black Button Tufted Leather Swivel Chairs, Jens Risom for Marble, Pair

Stunning Black Button Tufted Leather Swivel Chairs, Jens Risom for Marble, Pair

$4,200 / set

Stunning Black Button Tufted Leather Swivel Chairs, Jens Risom for Marble, Pair

By Jens Risom, Marble Imperial

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning pair of black button tufted leather swivel chairs by Jens Risom for marble, Classic Mid-Century Modern design, self balancing swivel mechanism bringing chairs back to positi...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

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Previously Available Items
Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design Inc. Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs
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H 29.53 in W 26.19 in D 27.37 in

Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design Inc. Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs

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Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, pair of swivel lounge chairs, teak, fabric, United States, 1960s. This extraordinary pair of lounge chair is designed by Danish designer Jens Risom...

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Pair Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Chair, 1960

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Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of Jens Risom walnut swivel lounge chairs, 1960. Completely restored and newly reupholstered in boucle.

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Jens Risom Leather Swivel Chair for B.L Marble, 1960's

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H 31.5 in W 24 in D 22 in

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By B.L. Marble Chair Co., Jens Risom

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A wonderful vintage button tufted leather chair designed by Jens Risom and manufactured by B.L. Marble. Featuring black leather upholstery that has developed a wonderful patina ov...

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Materials

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Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Rolling Office Desk Chair
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Rolling Office Desk Chair

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Rolling Office Desk Chair

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H 33 in W 22.75 in D 22 in

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Rolling Office Desk Chair

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Vintage 1960s Black Leather Swivel Chair by Jens Risom for B.L. Marble Company
Vintage 1960s Black Leather Swivel Chair by Jens Risom for B.L. Marble Company

Vintage 1960s Black Leather Swivel Chair by Jens Risom for B.L. Marble Company

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Excellent Swivel & Tilt Executive Desk Chair by Jens Risom

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Excellent Swivel & Tilt Executive Desk Chair by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Nice original Jens Risom executive office chair. Walnut has its original finish. Nice detail with the aluminum footrests on the legs and the arm cut-outs by the seat back. Minor wear...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

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Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chair
Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chair

Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chair

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H 28 in W 27 in D 27 in

Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chair

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Located in Middlesex, NJ

Jens Risom walnut swivel chair.

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Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chairs Restored in Zebra
Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chairs Restored in Zebra

Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chairs Restored in Zebra

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H 32 in W 26.25 in D 20 in

Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Chairs Restored in Zebra

By Jens Risom

Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO

Risom. His pieces are timeless and effortlessly simple in design, a perfect coupling of Danish style and American efficiency. This pair swivels smoothly on the seductively spidery wa...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

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Jens Risom Swivel Desk Chair
Jens Risom Swivel Desk Chair

Jens Risom Swivel Desk Chair

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H 31.5 in W 19.5 in D 19 in

Jens Risom Swivel Desk Chair

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Located in New York, NY

Great design and quality, fair condition, upholstery is as is and will need to be replaced, overall general cosmetic wear. The chair swivels and the back rest tilts to make this a ve...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Jens Risom Swivel Lounge Chairs
Pair of Jens Risom Swivel Lounge Chairs

Pair of Jens Risom Swivel Lounge Chairs

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H 28 in W 26 in D 25.5 in

Pair of Jens Risom Swivel Lounge Chairs

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A pair of vintage Scandinavian modern swivel lounge chairs, by Danish-born designer Jens Risom, each upholstered in brown fabric against a curved back, on square, tapered wood legs. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Sculptural Danish Modern Walnut Chair by Jens Risom
Sculptural Danish Modern Walnut Chair by Jens Risom

Sculptural Danish Modern Walnut Chair by Jens Risom

Sold

H 34.5 in W 26.5 in D 24 in

Sculptural Danish Modern Walnut Chair by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Redding, CT

Sculptural Danish Modern Walnut Office Chair by Jens Risom. This beauty looks good from any angle. Solid walnut construction and upholstered...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Swivel Chairs

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Jens Risom swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom swivel chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of animal skin and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jens Risom swivel chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original swivel chairs by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider swivel chairs by George Mulhauser, Gardner Leaver, and Pace Collection. Prices for Jens Risom swivel chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,200 and can go as high as $8,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,400.

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Questions About Jens Risom Swivel Chairs
  • Who is Jens Risom?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Jens 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 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, 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 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Normally, 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.

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