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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
$5,135
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Daybed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A Jens Risom daybed with walnut frame and steel glides. Fully restored.
Category

1960s Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Daybed by Jens Risom
Daybed by Jens Risom
H 22 in W 77 in D 32 in
Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, pair of 'Vostra' chairs with ottoman, beech, pink canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s Elegant lounge chairs with ottoman with be...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Brass

Tall Walnut Cabinet by Jens Risom, 1960s - Mid Century
By Jens Risom
Located in Round Rock, TX
Beautiful and uncommon walnut cabinet designed by Jens Risom, 1960s. This particular design can be used in a number of different usages. Perhaps originally deigned to be a linen ca...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 77.75 wide x 20 deep x 33.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage conditio...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
H 33.25 in W 77.75 in D 20 in
Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, USA, c.1960s. This Walnut credenza features two compartments with door fonts and interior adjustable shelves. At the center of the credenza are five drawers, ...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
H 28.25 in W 77.75 in D 20 in
Jens Risom Midcentury Modern Arm Chairs - Set of 8 - Model C170 - Black Walnut
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of eight (8) vintage mid century modern arm chairs by Jens Risom, circa late 1950s. Model C-170 in solid American black walnut with sculpted flared armrests. Stout and sturdy Ame...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Revolving Coffee Table on Splayed Walnut Legs Mid Century
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table; model 4010 designed 1961 revolving top with locking mechanism, solid walnut tapered legs.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Set of 4 Stacking in Oak & Walnut Chairs by Jens Risom, USA, c. 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an expansive set of eight stacking "General Purpose" arm chairs designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. Constructed from a mix of solid and molded oak and walnut pl...
Category

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Browse all Furniture from Jens Risom
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Creators Similar to Jens Risom

More Jens Risom Designs
Risom Lounge Chair
Risom Lounge Chair
Average Price
$2,860
Number Available
7
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...
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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.

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