Skip to main content

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
$3,207
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Large Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A large scale chair and ottoman designed by Jens Risom for Ralph Pucci. Fully restored and reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Lush / Daybreak fabric.
Category

1950s Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Walnut dresser with 8 drawers designed by Jens Risom. Four narrow drawers on left, flanked by wider drawers on right. Top drawer includes brass push button latch and hinges, allows...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Mid century Modern black white triangle end tables Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of 3 Mid century modern walnut black and white laminate top triangle end tables by Jens Risom. Solid walnut with black & white Formica tops. Beautiful woodworking and design. (1) Set of 3 table combined can make a coffee table. Very fun cool set. Great vintage condition. Circa 1960. Made in USA. Located in Brooklyn nyc. sold as (1) set of 3 end tables...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Jens Risom Dresser Walnut Ca' 1960's Mid Century
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic dresser by Jens Risom with nice patina, walnut, ca' 1960's. Four drawers with nicely sculpted handles. Unusual base with cutouts.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Card Catalog in Walnut + Brass, Mid-Century Modern Cabinet
By Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Rare Mid-Century Modern library card catalog in black walnut and solid brass by Jens Risom. Truly a collectors piece. 60 drawers. Risom Labels present. Stunning 3/4" solid American black walnut drawer...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Card Catalog in Walnut + Brass, Mid-Century Modern Cabinet
By Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Rare Mid-Century Modern library card catalog in black walnut and solid brass by Jens Risom. Truly a collectors piece. 60 drawers. Stunning 3/4" solid American black walnut drawer...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

PAIR Jens Risom Card Catalog in Walnut + Brass, Mid-Century Modern Cabinet
By Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Rare pair of Mid-Century Modern library card catalog in black walnut and solid brass by Jens Risom. Truly collectors pieces. 60 drawers each. Stunning 3/4" solid American black walnu...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

Pair of Jens Risom Lounge Chairs in brown webbing for Knoll 1950s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Jens Risom lounge chairs in brown webbing for Knoll. The seat is removable and adjustable from lounge to occasional chairs.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Browse all Furniture from Jens Risom
Shop Now

Creators Similar to Jens Risom

More Jens Risom Designs
Risom Lounge Chair
Risom Lounge Chair
Average Price
$3,788
Number Available
14
Risom Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, 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...
Shop All

Jens Risom furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jens Risom furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 323 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Fredericia, Florence Knoll, and Craft Associates. Prices for Jens Risom furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $350 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,213.
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.

Recently Viewed

View All