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Jens Risom Decorative Objects

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.

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Creator: Jens Risom
Jens Risom Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1960's Scandinavian Modern Design
Jens Risom Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1960's Scandinavian Modern Design

Jens Risom Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1960's Scandinavian Modern Design

By Jens Risom

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Scandinavian Jens Risom designed tapered Aluminum lined Walnut Trash Can. Featuring an inverted sculptural, molded Walnut form, detailed with Aluminum interior . Tope opening 10D. Ba...

Category

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

1960s Jens Risom MCM Tapered Walnut Wastebasket / Trash Can with Aluminum Lining
1960s Jens Risom MCM Tapered Walnut Wastebasket / Trash Can with Aluminum Lining

1960s Jens Risom MCM Tapered Walnut Wastebasket / Trash Can with Aluminum Lining

By Jens Risom

Located in St. Louis, MO

This iconic mid-century modern wastebasket was originally designed by master modernist Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. The piece is celebrated for transforming a practical necessit...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket This waste basket measures: 11.75 wide x 11.75 deep x 14 inches high Fair Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a controlled lighting...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Waste Basket This waste basket measures: 12 wide x 12 deep x 13 inches high Good Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a controlled lighting studi...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City

Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City

By Jens Risom, Knoll

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...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

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Previously Available Items
MCM Jens Risom Tapered Walnut Wood Waste Basket
MCM Jens Risom Tapered Walnut Wood Waste Basket

MCM Jens Risom Tapered Walnut Wood Waste Basket

By Jens Risom

Located in Chula Vista, CA

MCM Jens Risom Tapered Walnut Wood Waste Basket no label present walnut plywood with aluminum cover inside 13.5 h diameter 12 bottom 10 diameter top Nicks are present, but hard to se...

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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Decorative Objects

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Aluminum

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray

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H 3 in W 10.75 in D 14.75 in

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray

By Jens Risom

Located in New York, NY

Jens Risom letter tray, model 8-33 by Jens Risom Design Inc. USA, c. 1960 Walnut. Metal manufacturer's label to underside; 'Jens Risom Design.’ L...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

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Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg Denmark
Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg Denmark

Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg Denmark

By Frantz Hingelberg, Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Rosewood letter opener from the office of Jens Risom marked with the Jens Risom "R" and also marked Franz Hingelberg - Denmark very rare collectors item - have not been able ...

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1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Midcentury Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket
Midcentury Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

Midcentury Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

By Jens Risom

Located in San Diego, CA

Jens Risom walnut trash can with aluminum lining from the 1950s. Original rubber feet. Beautiful grain.

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket
Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

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H 13 in Dm 12 in

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

By Jens Risom

Located in Los Angeles, CA

From a line of Jens Risom office accessories manufactured by his company, Jens Risom Design, c.1950s, this walnut wastebasket has a wide base and ta...

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

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Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket
Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

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H 13.5 in Dm 12 in

Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket

By Jens Risom

Located in San Diego, CA

Jens Risom walnut trash can with aluminum lining from the 1950s. Original rubber feet. Beautiful grain.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Wastebasket
Jens Risom Wastebasket

Jens Risom Wastebasket

Sold

H 13.88 in W 11 in D 11 in

Jens Risom Wastebasket

By Jens Risom

Located in South Charleston, WV

Measures: 11" square, 13 3/4" tall (13 7/8 with feet). Vintage and hardly used. Ideal for waste or paper disposal, the bin is sealed on all sides and interior with lacquer to solid ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Wastebasket
Jens Risom Wastebasket

Jens Risom Wastebasket

Sold

H 13.88 in W 11 in D 11 in

Jens Risom Wastebasket

By Jens Risom

Located in South Charleston, WV

Measures: 11" square, 13 7/8" tall. Completely refinished and flawless. Ideal for waste or paper disposal, the bin is sealed on all sides and interior with lacquer to solid black wa...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Sold

H 3 in W 11 in D 14.38 in

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray. circa 1960.

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Sold

H 3 in W 11 in D 14.38 in

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Sold

H 3 in W 11 in D 14.75 in

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

Sold

H 3.38 in W 11 in D 14.5 in

Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960

By Jens Risom

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray. circa 1960.

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Tue Poulsen, Arne Jacobsen, and Otto Brauer. Prices for Jens Risom decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $1,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,148.
Questions About Jens Risom Decorative Objects
  • 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.