$14,000 / set
H 32 in W 21.25 in D 20.5 in
1960s Set of Twelve Jens Risom Playboy Armchairs in Walnut, Model C-140
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
as the set), Model C-140, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs in 1958. The listed price includes
Steel
C140 "Playboy" armchair by Jens Risom, USA, circa 1960
By Jens Risom
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Model C140 armchair, known as the Playboy chair, designed by Jens Risom around 1960 and produced
Leather, Teak
$3,895
H 32 in W 24 in D 22 in
Set of 2 Model C140 "Playboy" Chairs Jens Risom, Jens Risom Design, USA, 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Jens Risom. The "Playboy" derivation was coined after a July 1961 Playboy article on influential Mid
Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Gray Fabric Upholstered Teak 'Playboy' Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
upholstered seat and back with button tufting. (JENS RISOM) Upholstery is stained and has small holes.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$5,995 / set
H 32 in W 24 in D 22 in
Set of 6 Model C140 "Playboy" by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, USA, c. 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
influential Jens Risom with accompanying side chairs designed in the manner of Risom. The "Playboy" derivation
Walnut
$1,255
H 31.75 in W 22.25 in D 23 in
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair By Jens Risom USA, 1960s
Upholstery, Walnut
$10,500 / set
H 32.29 in W 22.25 in D 21.66 in
Jens Risom Set of Six ‘Playboy’ Armchairs in Black Upholstery and Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom, set of six 'Playboy' armchairs, model 'C140’, walnut, faux leather, United States
Faux Leather, Walnut
$1,750
H 32 in W 24 in D 21 in
American Mid-Century Modern "Playboy" Armchair Model C-140 by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
American mid-century modern "Playboy" armchair model C-140 by Jens Risom, circa 1960s. The chair is
Upholstery, Walnut
$35,000 / set
H 32 in W 23 in D 22 in
Set of 8 Jens Risom Danish Black Fabric Upholstered Teak 'Playboy' Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
fabric upholstered seats and backs with button tufting. (JENS RISOM)(PRICED AS Set) Upholstery varies in
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
$92,800 / set
H 32 in W 26 in D 25 in
Paul Frankl Set of 20 Dining Chairs in Bleached Mahogany & Latte Bouclé c. 1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs MEASUREMENTS Arm chair 32” h
Bouclé, Wood, Mahogany
$7,800 / set
H 34 in W 19.5 in D 23 in
Set of 6 Mid Century Wormley Dunbar Style Cane & Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Parzinger Style Dining Chairs c. 1960 Set of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
$48,400 / set
H 34 in W 21 in D 23 in
Set of 14 Paul Frankl Corset Oak Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman in Latte Bouclé
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Dining Chairs c. 1960 Set of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
$48,400 / set
H 47 in W 21 in D 23 in
Set of 12 Adrian Pearsall Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs in Latte Bouclé
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Moroccan Tommi Parzinger Style Dining Chairs c. 1960 Set of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern
Bouclé, Walnut, Upholstery
$64,200 / set
H 32 in W 26 in D 25 in
Paul Frankl Set of 14 Dining Chairs in Bleached Mahogany & Latte Bouclé c. 1950
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs MEASUREMENTS Arm chair 32” h x 25” d
Mahogany, Bouclé, Upholstery
Jens Risom "Playboy" Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Charleston, SC
Jens Risom walnut 'Playboy" armchairs. C140 Model: marked 1947 There are five available if
Walnut, Upholstery, Cane
Pair of Jens Risom "Playboy" Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of armchairs by Jens Risom, model C140 in walnut frame and original green upholstery
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom "Playboy" Mid Century Cane Back Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom "Playboy" Mid Century cane back chair Each chair measures: 20.5 wide x 19 deep x 32
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Jens Risom "Playboy" Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Floyd, VA
Set of four Jens Risom walnut "Playboy" armchairs with caned backs. C140 Model. Upholstered in
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Jens Risom Playboy chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Jens Risom walnut armchairs model C140 Playboy chairs. Mad Men era arm chairs that became know as
Walnut
Pair Jens Risom Playboy chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
A pair Jens Risom walnut armchairs model C140 Playboy chairs. Iconic Mad Men era chairs. All
Fabric, Walnut
Jens Risom 'Playboy' Armchair Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Oslo, NO
Reupholstered armchair by Jens Risom. Model C140 in walnut frame and wool upholstery.
Walnut
Jens Risom "Playboy" Club Chairs, Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Mid-Century Modern model C140 "Playboy" armchairs designed by Jens Risom
Walnut
Jens Risom 'Playboy' Armchairs, Set of Three
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nelson, Edward Wormley, Jens Risom and Harry Bertoia. Which originated the use of the archetypal name
Wool, Walnut
American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Playboy Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Nicely worn all original solid walnut frame with cane back, armchair designed by Jens Risom, famous
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 21.26 in
Restored Jens Risom "Playboy" C140 Armchairs in Walnut and Dedar Fabric
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Fully restored Risom playboy chair with new back cane and Dedar Aut Aut Fabric on the Seat. No
Cane, Fabric, Walnut
Set of 6 restored Jens Risom "Playboy" C140 Armchairs in walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Stunning matching Risom Set with new back cane and Dedar Aut Aut Fabric on the Seat. No loose
Cane, Fabric, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Playboy Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom mid century walnut playboy chair Each chair measures: 20.75 wide x 22 deep x 32 high
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Armchair with Cane Back
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish modern, walnut, "Playboy" armchair by Jens Risom with newly upholstered seat and caned back.
Cane, Chenille, Walnut
Playboy Chairs by Jens Risom, Set of Eight
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This chair, designed by Jens Risom, was popularized by a 1961 publication of Playboy Magazine
Cane, Upholstery, Walnut
Set of eight " PLAYBOY " arm chairs by JENS RISOM
By Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Set of 8 walnut " PLAYBOY " arm chairs by JENS RISOM. Beautiful chairs with caned backs and strong
Jens Risom Mid Century Playboy Chairs, Set of 4
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom mid century playboy chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 23 wide x 23 deep x 32 high
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Risom Playboy Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Classic design from Jens Risom in solid walnut with a cane back. Also known as the Model C-140, the
Cane, Walnut
Rare Pair of C 140 " Playboy " Armchairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful and rare pair of the famous Risom " Playboy " armchair in walnut, circa 1960. Excellent
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 22.25 in D 23 in
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair By Jens Risom USA, 1960s
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Six Cane Back Playboy Dining Chairs By Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in London, London
Set of six dining chairs By Jens Risom Walnut frames More desirable cane back in good order
Cane, Walnut
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Jen's Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 6 dining chairs by Jen's Risom. These are the playboy chairs as they were featured
Fabric, Walnut
Pair Of Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair of mid century modern "Playboy" chairs designed by Jens Risom and made by Group Nine. Model
Walnut, Cane, Fabric
Pair of Jens Risom "Playboy" Lounge Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of Jens Risom "Playboy" lounge chairs in solid walnut, circa 1960s. Note we have a second pair
Upholstery, Walnut
Listing for B: One Jens Risom "Playboy" Armchair in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom, 'Playboy' armchair, cane, fabric, walnut, United States, design 1958, production 1960s.
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Set of Four Jens Risom "Playboy" Chairs in Walnut, Cane and Leather
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four fully restored Jens Risom 'Playboy' chairs, model C140. This set features all new
Leather, Cane, Walnut
Set of Six Jens Risom "Playboy" Walnut & Cane Dining Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Excellent set of 6 Jens Risom "Playboy" dining armchairs, 1960s. Professionally restored
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 23 in
Jens Risom Playboy Chair in Leather + Walnut, Model C140 Occasional Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom Playboy chair - Iconic mid century modern sculpted walnut model C140 "Playboy" armchair
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Classic "Playboy" Chairs, circa 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of original Jens Risom "Playboy" chairs. Made of teak with original striped upholstery, tags
Teak
Jens Risom Set of Four 'Playboy' Dining Chairs in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom, 'Playboy' armchairs, cane, fabric, walnut, United States, design 1958, production 1960s
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of eight Jens Risom Playboy dining chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft and
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 12 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of twelve Jens Risom Playboy Dining Chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft
Upholstery, Walnut, Cane
Sold
H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 10 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of ten Jens Risom Playboy dining chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft camel
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs Midcentury Playboy Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
it's designer, Jens Risom, was featured along side Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, George
Wood
Jens Risom Walnut Upholstered "Playboy" Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish modern, walnut "Playboy" armchair by Jens Risom with newly upholstered back and seat.
Chenille, Walnut
Jens Risom Set of Ten "Playboy" Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Highland, IN
A signature design of Risom's, this beautiful set of ten "Playboy" chairs includes eight armchairs
Cane, Leather, Walnut
Jens Risom Cane Back "Playboy" Side Desk Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, walnut "Playboy" side chair by Jens Risom is a great desk chair with newly
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
designed by Jens Risom. The chairs feature stunning sculpted solid walnut frames and sleek Danish modern
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Iconic "Playboy" Chairs and Dining Table, circa 1960
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six sculptural Playboy chairs by exemplary designer Jens Risom with extendable dining table
Fabric, Walnut
Set of 6 Risom Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Very chic set of 6 dining chairs designed by Jens Risom. Know as the Playboy chair, this model is
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
For Peggy: Package deal
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Private listing for Peggy: - Jens Risom, set of 10 'Playboy' armchairs, cane, fabric, walnut
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 21.66 in
Pair Of Jens Risom ‘Playboy’ C140 Walnut Carver Dining Chairs/Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ Pair of Jens Risom 'Playboy' C140 Walnut Carver Dining Chairs/Lounge Chairs Mid
Other
Set of Eight Jens Risom 'Playboy' Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Long Beach, CA
Set of eight walnut dining chairs designed by Jens Risom. These are officially known as the C140
Set of 6 Jens Risom "Playboy" Side Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New London, CT
Professionally restored set of Jens Risom's iconic side chairs in walnut with new caned backs and
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of Jens Risom “Playboy” C140 chairs in walnut. The chairs have been reupholstered with zebra
Walnut, Cane, Leather
Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of Jens Risom “Playboy” C140 chairs in walnut. The chairs have been reupholstered with an
Upholstery
Set of Four Walnut Chairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Austin, TX
A set of four Jens Risom “Playboy” side chairs in walnut. The chairs have been reupholstered with a
Walnut
Sold
H 31.89 in W 22.45 in D 22.84 in
Vintage 1950s Walnut C140 Playboy Lounge Chair or Armchair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Huddersfield, GB
Vintage C140 "PLAYBOY" chair. Designer: Jens Risom, Denmark, circa 1950. A true 1950s design
Cane, Walnut
Jens Rison Set of "Playboy" Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Nottingham, GB
An original set of 1950s dining chairs designed by Jens Risom. They feature cane lattice seat backs
Cane, Leather, Walnut
Four Jens Risom Playboy Chairs in Walnut and Cane
By Jens Risom
Located in Hadley, MA
Four Jens Risom “Playboy” C140 chairs in solid black walnut. Classic configuration; upholstered in
Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic "Playboy" walnut armchairs by Jens Risom with original cane backs. Expert craftsmanship and
Cane, Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut "Playboy" Chairs, Set of Four
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of four walnut and cane "Playboy" chairs by Jens Risom. Classic Risom superior design in rich
Cane, Walnut
Pair of "Playboy" Armchairs, Model C140, by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dorchester, MA
Created by Jens Risom as model C140, these handsome armchairs take their name from a 1961 Playboy
Textile, Walnut
Set of Eight "Playboy" Side Chairs, Model C240, by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dorchester, MA
Created by Jens Risom as model C240, these handsome chairs take their name from a 1961 photoshoot
Textile, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of Jens Risom "Playboy" armchairs. Newly upholstered in vintage fabric. In mint
Cane, Walnut
Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindrich Halabala
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with seat springs upholstered with Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca fabric. Another fabric and wood...
Beech, Bentwood
Brass and Murano Glass Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Petite sconces from Murano, Italy made with smoked glass stamped into a lovely curved shape with texture. The brass structure has been newly wired to fit US standards. This is a sp...
Brass
$229,532Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Other
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
$660Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Oak
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$2,616Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 21.66 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Petrol Green by Yiannis Ghikas
By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Blown Glass
Unavailable|$22,000
H 100.4 in W 231.5 in D 19.3 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson for Herman Miller, modular wall unit model 'CSS', walnut, aluminium, glass, United States, 1959 Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (...
Aluminum
Early Marco Zanuso Lady Chair, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An early, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chair, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, burnt orange / rust coloured 100% mohair fabric. Brass feet with nat...
Brass
LU Swing Sconce Plug-In
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful plug-in version of our Lumfardo Luminaires brass LU swing sconce in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hard...
Brass
Kai Kristiansen Walnut and Mohair Mohair Velvet Bench
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
A beuatiful bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar in Denmark. This hand-made to order bench has a solid walnut frame ...
Mohair, Oak, Walnut
$13,560 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$4,060 / set
H 35.44 in W 21.66 in D 18.51 in
Set of Six Original Art Deco Chairs, Solid Walnut, France, 1920s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Six Art Deco chairs Origin: France Period: 1920-1929 Material: Walnut, upholstery In pristine original condition, the upholstery has been professionally cleaned, and its polish re...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Mawu Chair in Snow by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Oak, Fabric, Bouclé
$99,500
H 27.17 in W 116.93 in D 51.19 in
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc '6999' Sofa in Mohair and Walnut
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc, sofa, model '6999', reupholstered in “Bold” by Pierre Frey, walnut, United States, made 1950s This mid-century modern sofa, designed by Vladim...
Fabric, Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chairs in Ivory Shearling, circa 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom lounge chairs expertly reupholstered in soft ivory shearling with professionally refinished walnut frames. An exemplar of Mid-Century Modern desi...
Hide, Walnut
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.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.