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.
$695 / item
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...
Walnut
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...
Walnut
Midcentury Expanded Metal Waste Paper Basket 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century generous sized and well built expanded metal trash can. Modernist three hairpin legs. Wood bottom. 1950s
Metal
$540Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 8 in D 8 in
Exotic Faux Shagreen & Wood Contemporary Waste Basket by R&Y Augousti of Paris
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible mixed exotic contemporary waste basket by R&Y Augousti of Paris, circa 2000s. The basket is made of cream colored faux shagreen and hard wood and is in very good vintage condition; it measure 4.5"W x 3.5"D and 23.75"H. Signed on the underside. #2463 R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-wife duo Ria & Yiouri Augousti. Their artistic backgrounds brought them together as innovators in their field by reviving the artisanal techniques of shagreen and other exotic materials that were predominant in the Art Deco period of the 1930s. Through their mix of vintage and contemporary design their furniture and home accessories brand were met with worldwide praise. From a debut collection for the luxurious Hotel Crillon...
Wood, Shagreen
Polished Brass Waste Bin or Magazine Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polished brass waste can - Uniquely designed waste can in the shape of a shopping bag with an Asian motif... perfect for the bedroom or office - disguised ...
Brass
$950
H 17.5 in W 15.5 in D 8.75 in
1963 Rosewood Waste Basket by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen, Made in Norway
By P.S. Heggen, Einar Barnes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Brazilian Rosewood Wastebasket, designed by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen in around 1963. This piece dates to around the same time. It features a facade and an interior that...
Wood, Rosewood
$450
H 12 in W 10.5 in D 10.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Solid Oak Waste Basket / Magazine Bin, Architectural Frame De
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully constructed Mid-Century Modern waste basket or magazine bin, executed in solid oak with a warm, honey-toned finish that highlights the natural open grain. The design is...
Oak
Paul Frankl Attributed Waste Basket
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Fulton, CA
A Mid-Century Modern waste basket attributed to Paul Frankl. Made of combed fir with a conical four sided rectangular design. This item was acquire...
Wood
Leather Waste Basket by Merit Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful leather waste bin in the style of Jacques Adnet produced by Merit Los Angeles. Made entirely of a thick cowhide leather in a distressed sad...
Leather
$1,000
H 9.44 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Christian Dior Desk Waste Basket in Metal, Lucite and Rattan, circa 1970
By Christian Dior, Dior Home
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning wastebasket was designed for the Christian Dior Interior Collection. The rare piece was meticulously crafted in France circa 1970. The geometric shape features a gilded...
Metal, Brass
$675
H 13.5 in Dm 12.13 in
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
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Waste Baskets
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Mid-Century solid walnut waste baskets in a medium brown walnut finish. The baskets have two handle cut-out on opposite sides, the baskets are on a 1"-inch high base & measu...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slat Magazine Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slat magazine holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 16.5" W x 7.75" D x 12.5" H. #1527.
Walnut
Beni Møbler Danish Modern Teak Waste Basket / Wastepaper Bin
By Beni Møbler 1
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully crafted Danish Modern teak waste basket by Beni Møbler, Denmark, dating to the 1960s. This elegant mid-century accessory showcases the understated sophistication for wh...
Teak
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...
Wood
Sold
H 10.25 in W 1.38 in D 0.25 in
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 ...
Rosewood
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 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 ...
Walnut
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...
Walnut
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.
Walnut
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.
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray. circa 1960.
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Paper Tray
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut paper tray by Jens Risom for Risom Design. The tray features oiled walnut angled side panels with a slanted bed and finger joinery. There a...
Wood, Walnut
Signed Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foreground Jens Risom wastebasket. Sturdy and heavy black walnut, with a reddish rosewood hue. Signed Jens Risom Design on the bottom. With meta...
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, this walnut wastebasket has a wide base and tapers at a...
Walnut