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.
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
$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
French Mid-Century Modern Leather Wastepaper Basket, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Jacques Adnet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A sculptural French wastepaper basket from the 1950s, distinguished by its clean, softly rounded silhouette and black leather-clad exterior. A wide leather strap encircles the body, ...
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 Einar Barnes , P.S. Heggen
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
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
$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
$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
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
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
Gio Ponti Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1939, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1939, Italy A Gio Ponti designed walnut wastepaper basket made for the Vetrocoke offices, Marghera, Venice, circa 1939. Extremely elegant, feat...
Walnut
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
Midcentury Modern Wastepaper Basket in Beautiful Teak
By P.S. Heggen, Einar Barnes
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Modern Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen Teak Wastepaper Basket Scandinavian Modern Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen teak wastepaper basket A fine example of sculpted teak waste paper bask...
Teak
Jacques Adnet Modernist Desk Office Waste Paper Basket, circa 1930
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Jacques Adnet Art Deco Chrome Desk Waste Basket, France, circa 1930 An extraordinary artifact of French Art Deco design, this sculptural chrome desk accessory—meticulously craft...
Chrome
Paul Frankl Attributed Waste Basket
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
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
French Empire Period Wastepaper Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Empire period wastepaper basket.
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
Gustavsberg Vinyl Record Stand, Orange Plastic, Scandinavian Design
Located in Stockholm, SE
This orange vinyl record stand was produced by Gustavsberg in Sweden during the second half of the 20th century. Executed in molded plastic, the pie...
Plastic
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 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 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 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
Jens Risom Walnut Wastebasket
By Jens Risom
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Design is all in the details, down to the wastebasket or trashcan. This wastebasket with a smaller opening and wider base by Jens Risom is a wonderful example of his attention to det...
Aluminum
Danish Modern Teak Wastebaskets by Jens Risom, Circa 1960
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For those who believe in the importance of the details, who Revere authenticity of design, and who cherish quality craftsmanship of the mid-20th century, this Jens Risom wastebasket...
Plastic, Wood
Modernist Letter Tray by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist letter tray by Jens Risom. Three available.
Leather, Walnut