Jens Risom Seating
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
Pair of New Navy Blue Wool Upholstery Lounge Slipper Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Classic Jens Risom lounge chairs in navy blue wool upholstery. Gorgeous oiled walnut frames.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Model 2137 Walnut "Floating" Lounge Chairs in Olive Velvet
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These exceptional Jens Risom Model 2137 lounge chairs supported by sculptural walnut bases are scarce examples of the 1961 design.
They are relatively small in scale, though the sea...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Jens Risom armchairs with black lacquered wood frames.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Jens Risom Upholstered Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A comfortable and stylish Jens Risom upholstered armchair, circa 1950s. Rare design with original early label still intact.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Long Mid-Century Sofa by Jens Risom Manufacturing
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large-scale sofa measures over 9 feet long and makes a unique and stylish seating addition to any interior. Comfortable and stunning in it's size and simplicity, the design by J...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Three-Seat Jens Risom Sofa for Risom Design Inc multicolored fabric with stripes
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
This Jens Risom sofa for Risom Design Inc. is in good condition. The solid walnut frame has been oiled and is in vintage condition with normal wear with age (slight imperfections). T...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined lounge chairs, designed by Jens Risom, American, circa 1960s. Risom's designs always give a nod to Danish modern design, and these chairs are no exception. They have clea...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Early Jens Risom Side Chair for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed for Knoll by Jens Risom in 1943. Basket-woven parachute straps.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Birch, Canvas
Pair of Vintage Jens Risom Walnut Swivel Lounge Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair of walnut swivel lounge chairs in original purple composite upholstery with walnut bases and detachable suede cushions designed by Jens Risom.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Suede, Upholstery, Walnut
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City
By Knoll, Jens Risom
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 Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Beautiful Armchair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
Fully restored conversation chair designed by Jens Risom. Excellent condition.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Four Restored Jens Risom Dining Side Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Four Vintage Side Arm Chairs Set
New upholstery in gray microfiber
Wood frame and legs
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Oak
Pair of Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Jens Risom
Jens Risom emigrated from Europe to the U.S. when he was just 23 years of age. Like other Scandinavian designers such as Josef Frank and Kaare Klint, Risom continued to h...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Two Restored Jens Risom Side Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of vintage side armchairs set.
New upholstery in gray microfiber
Tufted back detail
Wood frame and legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Oak
Jens Risom Pair of Red Vinyl Faux Leather Chairs 1950
By Jens Risom
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Jens Risom of red vinyl faux leather chairs mid-century, Netherlands
Jens Risom pair of red vinyl faux leather chairs, 1950. Excellent original condition with little wear to...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
Jens Risom Rosewood Mid-Century Modern Blue Fabric Lounge Chairs Armchairs, Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Jens Risom Rosewood Mid-Century Modern blue fabric armchairs. Item features solid rosewood frame, beautiful wood grain, clean modernist lines, and sleek sculptural form, circ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Fabric, Rosewood
Pair of Jens Risom "Playboy" Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of armchairs by Jens Risom, model C140 in walnut frame and original green upholstery in excellent condition.
Price is for the pair only.
Category
1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Leather Walnut Armchair By Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, solid walnut armchair by Jens Risom with seat, back and arms, newly upholstered in a rich cognac leather.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Sofa by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A three (3) seat sofa on a teak frame base retaining the original yellow upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Teak, Upholstery
New Upholstered Orange Jens Risom Sofa Set with Missoni Fabric
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent set by Jens Risom in fully restored condition. The fabric is an orange yellow Missoni fabric with new foam and restored walnut frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Swivel Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An upholstered swiveling lounge chair in leather with a tilt mechanism on a metal disc base.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Steel
Architectural Mid Century Jens Risom Bench with Walnut Legs and Leather Top
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
This is the hard to find longest size, it has the original leather top (minor wear and missing two tufting buttons). Tapered wood legs support "floating" curved top. Mid-Century Mode...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather
Walnut and Persimmon Ducale Wool Fabric Rocking Chair by Design within Reach MCM
By Jens Risom, Design Within Reach
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Coming from prestigious manufacturer Design within reach, based in Connecticut, this Jens Risom designed walnut and orange wool rocking chair makes a sta...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Upholstered Bench, Walnut and Bouclé, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Round Rock, TX
*Please note one bench has sold.
A wonderful Jens Risom model T621 upholstered bench. This is the less-common 72" long model. Featuring a striking, solid walnut frame, and button-t...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Jens Risom Model 666 for Knoll Reupholstered Side Chairs c.1941-Set of 6
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original set of six Jens Risom for Knoll Model 666 WSP dining side chairs. Constructed of solid Maple frames and reupholstered wool fabric.
CREATOR Jens Risom for Knoll Associates.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1941. Reupholstered in 2014.
MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES Solid Maple, Wool.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear on the frames throughout. Very sturdy. Seats have no tears, fading or stains.
DIMENSIONS H 31.25 in. W 17.5 in. D 17 in. Seat Height 18 in.
HISTORY
The first true Knoll designer, Jens Risom joined the young Hans Knoll Furniture Company in the early 1940s as the sole designer of interiors and furniture. Born in Denmark to the well-known architect Sven Risom, Jens worked in Stockholm for one year before graduating from the prestigious Kundstandvaerkerskolen in Copenhagen.
Risom left Denmark for the United States in 1938 and, for two years, served as Director of Interior Design at the studio of Dan Cooper...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Wool, Maple
Risom Webbed Armchairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Classic early edition of Jens Risom's iconic webbed armchair 652W design (1943) made by Knoll associates in the mid-1940s. Both have the earliest Knoll...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Maple
Jens Risom Model 108 Walnut Side Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Poised, elegant pair of 1950s walnut armchairs, model 108 designed by Jens Risom. This scarce pair is newly upholstered in a luxurious, earthy sage leather, ...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Seating
Rare Chromed Steel and Wool Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning pair of lounge chairs designed by Jens Risom, stainless steel frames, superior quality, flawless welds, retains original Knoll electric green wool upholstery, stunning.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Jens Risom seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 189 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Craft Associates, Charles Eames, and Directional. Prices for Jens Risom seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $350 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,200.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Seating
- Who is Jens Risom?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Jens 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.
- Was Jens Risom Danish?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, 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.
- Who sells Jens Risom rockers?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Normally, 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.
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