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.
Knoll Risom Lounge Chair and Ottoman Set
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
The Risom Ottoman is inspired by Risom's original collection and designed be a stand-alone stool or to pair with the Risom lounge chair. Described as goo...
Acrylic, Polyester, Teak
Set of Four O.W. Lee Iron Garden Lounge Chairs and Two Ottomans
By O.W. Lee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant six-piece mid-century modern garden suite comprised of four lounge armchairs and two ottomans, made in by O.W. Lee, Pasadena, California. The set features hand-forged wrou...
Wrought Iron
Mario Papperzini Amalfi Iron Garden Lounge Chair + Ottoman
By John Salterini, Mario Papperzini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An authentic Mid century Modern Italian neoclassical patio and garden adjustable chain-back Amalfi lounge chair and matching ottoman designed by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. ...
Wrought Iron
Mario Papperzini Amalfi Iron Garden Lounge Chair + Ottoman
By Mario Papperzini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An authentic Mid-Century Modern Italian neoclassical patio and garden adjustable chain-back Amalfi lounge chair and matching ottoman designed by Mario Papperzini. The iconic chair fe...
Iron
$3,850
H 50 in W 32 in D 23 in
Maurizio Tempestini John Salterini Black High Back Lounge Chairs With Ottomans
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Monrovia, CA
Maurizio Tempestini For John Salterini Black Metal High Back Lounge Chairs With Detachable Ottomans. Each Salterini High Back Lounge Chair H...
Metal, Iron
$1,500
H 30 in W 23 in D 22 in
Brown Jordan Tamiami Green Lounge Chair Set With Ottoman and Side Table Vintage
By Brown Jordan
Located in Rochester, NY
Complete green Brown Jordan “Tamiami” patio furniture side set of lounge chair + ottoman + side table. The light weight tubular aluminum frames are painted the original green with gr...
Aluminum
Pair of Mario Papperzini Amalfi Iron Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Mario Papperzini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and rare pair of "Amalfi" lounge chairs and matching ottomans with adjustable chain backs after the mid-century modern design by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. The se...
Bronze, Iron
Inouye, Kantan for Brown Jordan Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Tadao Inouye, Brown Jordan
Located in Denton, TX
Tadao Inouye, Kantan for Brown Jordan Lounge Chairs and Ottoman. The Japanese designer created his pivotal mid-century collection for Brown Jordan in 1956 using the latest lightweigh...
Aluminum
Pair of Mario Papperzini Amalfi Iron Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Mario Papperzini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and rare pair of "Amalfi" lounge chairs and matching ottomans with adjustable chain backs. The stylish mid-century modern design after Mario Papperzini's design for John Sa...
Bronze, Iron
Brown Jordan Tamiami Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Brown Jordan
Located in Highland, IN
Brown Jordan "Tamiami" furniture is exceptional for several reasons. Brown Jordan has been know for their high quality outdoor furniture for decades. Using the best materials that wi...
Aluminum
$3,695 / set
H 43 in W 30 in D 30 in
Michael Taylor Wingback Chair & Ottoman Set, Braided Wicker, 1960s
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Scarcely seen Michael Taylor 1960's braided wicker rattan wingback chair & ottoman set with new custom cushions embellished with vintage hand block print linen with goose down fi...
Linen, Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Oak, Down
Vintage Keppel Green Style Outdoor Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Striking vintage outdoor lounge chair and matching ottoman in the style of Keppel Green, featuring sculptural black tubular steel frames ...
Metal
Vintage Richard Schultz for KNOLL 5-Piece Patio Set
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in North Miami, FL
ALL ORIGINAL 1966 Vintage set of Richard Schultz for Knoll Patio Dining Table Outdoor Collection. Outdoor or indoor powder coated over aluminum frames with brown enamel top to table...
Aluminum, Enamel
$6,800 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 28.5 in
Set of Six Rattan Lounge Chairs & Two Ottomans by Danny Ho Fong
By Danny Ho Fong
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A stylish weathered set of eight mid-20th century patio and garden armchairs and ottomans designed by Danny Ho Fong for Fong Brothers Tropi-Cal, Los Angeles, CA. The set is comprised...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan, Wood, Wicker
$3,600
H 27.5 in W 32 in D 25 in
Large Woodard Sculptura Wrought Iron with Steel Mesh Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully restored Woodard co large lounge chair with matching ottoman. Both pieces have been stripped and powder coated in gloss black finish. New foot glides installed as well.
Cut Steel, Wrought Iron
$3,107 / set
H 27.56 in W 31.89 in D 28.75 in
Set of Palissade Lounge Chairs & Ottoman Olive by Ronan/Erwan Bouroullec for Hay
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
Designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Palissade is a collection of outdoor furniture for HAY in powder coated or hot galvanized steel. United by a common principle ...
Steel