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.
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare and early Jens Risom stool for Knoll Associates, New York City. Simple, elegant design. Retains original finish as well as original early oil cloth upholstered top. Also origina...
Upholstery, Birch
Extremely Rare Asian Inspired Modernist Side Chairs Designed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare Asian inspired modernist side chairs designed by Jens Risom for jENS Risom Studios,,,, Could NOT find another example on t...
Naugahyde, Wood
1970s Jens Risom Design 27 inch Cabinet / Nightstand in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Nightstand, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1970s. The n...
Brass
Walnut Locking Cabinet by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, USA, c.1960s. This walnut cabinet features a single compartment with a hinged door and an interior adjustable shelf. The cabinet rests on four wood legs with ...
Walnut
Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia
By Jens Risom, Fredericia
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
Designed in 1949, the Magazine Table is a great example of Danish-American designer Jens Risom’s stylish and innovative approach to modern design. The dynamic side table with its ic...
Oak
Mid-Century Walnut Cabinet by Jens Risom, Brass Handles, Denmark, 1970
By Jens Risom
Located in Hudson, NY
Such a sweet storage piece! A petite little cabinet in walnut by Jens Risom. Mid century period with original brass bar handles. High quality craftsmanship.
Brass
2021 Pair of Knoll Risom Side Chairs w/ Ebonized Maple Wood Frame, Model 666C-WB
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Risom side chairs, Model 666C-WB, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943. These examples date to 2021. Their design features an ebonized maple frame, and has blac...
Metal
Jens Risom Full-Size Upholstered Walnut Headboard
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut headboard by Jens Risom, c.1960s USA. This frame is made from solid walnut, and a gray upholstered cushion with four buttons. Dimensions 56" width x 4.5" depth x 35.5" height...
Walnut, Upholstery
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Risom Side Dining Chair Ebonized Maple & Black Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single Risom dining chair in ebonized maple with black cotton webbing designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. This example was produced in 2021 and came di...
Ash
C. 1951 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W in Maple and Canvas with Label
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Risom Stool, Model 667-W, originally designed by Jens Risom in 1946. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA C. 1951. The stools design is comprised of a m...
Maple, Fabric
1970s Jens Risom Design 27 inch Cabinet / Nightstand in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Nightstand, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1970s. The n...
Brass
1950 Knoll Risom Side Chair in Maple with Black Webbing, Model 666C-WB
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Risom side chair, Model 666C-WB, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943. This is an early example, dating to the early 1950s. The design features a lacquered maple frame,...
Steel
Jens Risom Model 666 Dining Chair or for Knoll International Set of 4
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Jens Risom Model 666 Dining chair. Beechwood and blue wool fabric. Mid Century Dining chairs. This early condition is made from the 50ties. Beautiful patina on the wood. Set of 4
Fabric, Beech
1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood
By Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a large square side/corner/coffee table in Walnut wood made in the 1960s by iconic Mid 20th Century designer Jens Risom. It features a solid base and square slab top fused...
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Black Vinyl Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
American/Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a gently diamond-shaped top resting on a structured stretcher base with four tapered legs and stretcher shelf made of stretched b...
Wood, Walnut
1970s Jens Risom Design 72 inch Credenza / Cabinet in Walnut and Brass
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Credenza / Cabinet, designed by Jens Risom and produced by his company, Jens Risom Designs. It was handcrafted in the USA in the 1970s. It has a beautifully grained ...
Bronze
1959 Jens Risom Designs Twin Head & Footboard in Walnut with Yellow Vinyl Panel
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Twin-Sized Headboard and Footboard Set, designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs circa 1959. The listed price includes one set, and we have three sets available for pu...
Steel
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Counter Height Stool in Clear Maple with Black Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single 2021 production Risom counter height stool designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. This example was acquired directly from a Knoll employee, who pur...
Birch, Maple
There isn’t much of a difference between Nordic and Scandinavian design in that when it comes to furniture and decor, the descriptors “Nordic” and “Scandinavian” are often used interchangeably. The term Scandinavia is primarily used to refer to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. (It is sometimes inclusive of Iceland and Finland, too.) The Nordic region of the world also includes the likes of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden as well as Iceland, Finland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Scandinavian modernism is a warm and organic iteration of modernist design that chiefly originated in Denmark, Sweden and Finland during the 1930s. It was introduced to the United States during the mid-20th century and had a profound influence on American mid-century modern design.
Scandinavian modernists are known for their emphasis on craftsmanship and use of natural materials such as ash, pine and beech. Scandi interiors are minimalist, bright and airy, and feature neutral palettes and classic shapes.
Characteristics of the work of such Scandinavian modernists such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl and Greta Magnusson Grossman include bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries. Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
For design enthusiasts all over the world, the promotion of functionality and simplicity associated with Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design continues to prove irresistible.