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Jens Risom

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.

Average Sold Price
$3,674
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Jens Risom Dining Table for Jens Risom Design Inc
By Jens Risom
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Jens Risom. Manufacturer: Jens Risom Design Inc. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Walnut, Brass Condition: This Jens R...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury Walnut Credenza. This credenza measures: 58.5 wide x 20 deep x 28.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage cond...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

  • Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Credenza
  • Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Credenza
  • Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Credenza
  • Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Credenza
H 28.25 in. W 58.5 in. D 20 in.
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut and brass executive desk. This desk measures: 81.25 wide x 36 deep x 28 high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches All pieces of furniture can be...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

Large Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Jens Risom, circa 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Large Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Jens Risom, circa 1960s. Loads of storage for all your books or showcase your collectables across the five long and wide shelves. Composed of two...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Wood

Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
Jens Risom and Hans Knoll came to the US seeking greater opportunities in Denmark and Germany. Hans Knoll's father, Walter Knoll, already had a fairly large furniture company in Germ...
Category

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

Materials

Canvas, Wood

  • Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
  • Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
  • Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
  • Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
H 30.32 in. W 17.33 in. D 18.12 in.
Jens Risom Upholstered Bench, Walnut and Bouclé, 1960s, Pair Available
By Jens Risom
Located in Round Rock, TX
A wonderful pair of Jens Risom model T621 upholstered benches. These are the less-common six foot long versions. Featuring striking, solid walnut frames, and button-tufted upholst...
Category

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

Materials

Bouclé, Walnut

Vintage Midcentury Desk in Wood & Laminate by Jens Risom, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Mid-Century Modern desk by Jens Risom circa 1960 has a Classic Danish modern design with clean, Minimalist, geometric lines. The desk is solid, heavy and well-crafted an...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut writing desk by Jens Risom and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a conservative design but is highly functional, whi...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Aluminum

Browse all Furniture from Jens Risom
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Jens Risom Sellers

Modern Hill Inc.
4.7
Metro Retro Furniture MCM Furniture
4.7
Interior Motives LLC
5.0
Liberty & 33rd
4.9

Creators Similar to Jens Risom

More Jens Risom Designs
Risom Lounge Chair
Risom Lounge Chair
Average Price
$4,293
Number Available
21
Risom Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Walnut
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Debuting in 1943, the Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll. It was the work of Jens Risom (1916–2016), who had only just moved from his native Denmark to the United States in 1939.Risom was by then a graduate of business school and had studied under Danish architect and designer Kaare Klint at Copenhagen's School of Industrial Arts and Design (Hans Wegner, whose many iconic creations include the Wishbone chair, wa...
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Jens Risom furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Jens Risom furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. There are many options in our Jens Risom collection of furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. There are 227 vintage versions of these items in stock, while there are 8 modern editions to choose from as well. Many of Jens Risom's original furniture was created in Mid-Century Modern style in North America during the 20th century. Many customers also consider furniture by Florence Knoll, Harvey Probber and Eero Saarinen if you’re looking for additional options. The prices for Jens Risom furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at $250 and tops out at $36,000, while pieces like these can sell for $3,433.
Questions About Jens Risom
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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