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.
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...
Aluminum
1950 Post Office Wastebasket Iron Seymour Robins Sondra Kay Trash Can
By Seymour Robins
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Brown burlap bag with black atomic frame, cabin modern rustic vibe.
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Brass Wastebasket, circa 1960
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Brass Wastebasket, circa 1960
Brass
$325
H 11.5 in W 9.25 in D 8 in
Vintage Italian Venetian Decoupage Green Gold Papier Mache Wastebasket Trash Can
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Venetian Decoupage Green & Gold Cherub Papier Mache Small Wastebasket Trash Can. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11.5" H x 9.25" W x 8" D.
Wood
$150
H 13.5 in W 11.5 in D 8.25 in
Vintage Italian Florentine Hollywood Regency Gilt Giltwood Wastebasket Trash Can
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Florentine Hollywood Regency Gilt Giltwood Distressed Finish Wastebasket Trash Can. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 11.5" W x 8.25" D.
Wood
$412Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.03 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in
1960s French wastebasket made of bamboo and brass
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
1960s French wastebasket made of bamboo and brass Great patina.
Brass
$4,009
H 23.63 in W 16.54 in D 9.85 in
Original Eiffel Tower Trash Can from the Champ‑de‑Mars, France 1960s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A rare and culturally significant design object, this 1960s trash can originates from the public squares surrounding the Eiffel Tower, an authentic fragment of Parisian urban history...
Metal, Brass
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Trash Can
By Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Trash Can This trash receptacle measures: 9 wide x 16 deep x 12 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Aluminum
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...
Aluminum
$168Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in Dm 12 in
Vintage Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard, Scandinavian Modern, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak bowl Solid wood. Unmarked 4 h x 12 Diameter Preowned vintage Refer to images for condition
Teak
$995Sale Price|20% Off
H 10 in W 13 in D 7.75 in
Austrian Bronze & Iron Neoclassical Trash Can / Wastepaper Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian bronze & iron neoclassical trash can / wastepaper basket Austria, circa early 20th century Of oval form with a continuous trellis, garland and flowerhead motif. Beautiful...
Bronze, Iron
Italian MCM Leather Wood Book Library Wastebasket Trash Can
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Italian Leather and Wood Wastebasket. Perfect to be used formally or informally in a bathroom, powder room, vanity space or home office. Truly a vintage elegant Ralph Lauren ...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Fornasetti Oggetti Con Nastro Wastebasket / Trash Can
By Fornasetti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful example of this form. This example was deaccessioned from the Fornasetti Archives. Original surface is very nice.
Metal
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...
Aluminum
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.
Walnut
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...
Walnut
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.
Walnut
Wastebasket by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Design is all in the details, down to the wastebasket. This wastebasket or trash can, features a smaller opening and wider base by Jens Risom. It is a wonderful example of his attent...
Wood
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, this walnut wastebasket has a wide base and tapers at a...
Walnut
Jens Risom Wastebasket
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Square wastebasket with plinth base and oval cut-out handles, in walnut. Designed and made by Jens Risom, circa 1960s.
Walnut