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Jens Risom Benches

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
Vintage Jens Risom Six Foot (6ft) Floating Bench
Vintage Jens Risom Six Foot (6ft) Floating Bench

Vintage Jens Risom Six Foot (6ft) Floating Bench

$6,400

Vintage Jens Risom Six Foot (6ft) Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

An uncommon six (6) foot long floating bench. Features a walnut frame base with a slightly curved cushion. A classic and timeless design that could blend into a variety of different ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Architectural Mid Century Jens Risom Bench with Walnut Legs and Leather Top
Architectural Mid Century Jens Risom Bench with Walnut Legs and Leather Top

Architectural Mid Century Jens Risom Bench with Walnut Legs and Leather Top

$4,800Sale Price|20% Off

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 Benches

Materials

Wood, Leather

Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom
Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom

Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom

$3,600

Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice solid walnut bench or coffee table by Risom.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Benches

Jens Risom Custom Eight Foot Walnut Table/ Bench
Jens Risom Custom Eight Foot Walnut Table/ Bench

Jens Risom Custom Eight Foot Walnut Table/ Bench

$8,500

Jens Risom Custom Eight Foot Walnut Table/ Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Highland, IN

This spectacular eight foot long table or bench by Jens Risom is not only a beautiful design with it's architectural base with tapered legs and a top that appears to float, it is hig...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Benches

Materials

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Jens Risom Floating Bench Model T621
Jens Risom Floating Bench Model T621

Jens Risom Floating Bench Model T621

$6,500

Jens Risom Floating Bench Model T621

By Jens Risom

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Jens Risom Bench An iconic form Re-upholstered in Boucle Fabric Original label present.  

Category

1950s American Vintage Jens Risom Benches

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench

$7,500

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish mid-century rectangular floating bench with a banded Southwestern blue and green patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).    

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Benches

Materials

Wood

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Previously Available Items
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H 17 in W 72.5 in D 18.5 in

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A Classic Jens Risom six foot long, upholstered, floating bench. Walnut frame with natural, raw linen/silk upholstery. Note-this is a lighter wood-walnut version.

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1960's Mid-Century Danish Modern Jens Risom Stools / Benches - a Pair
1960's Mid-Century Danish Modern Jens Risom Stools / Benches - a Pair

1960's Mid-Century Danish Modern Jens Risom Stools / Benches - a Pair

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H 16.5 in W 19 in D 15.5 in

1960's Mid-Century Danish Modern Jens Risom Stools / Benches - a Pair

By Jens Risom

Located in Burbank, CA

Pair of original Midcentury Danish Modern floating benches for sale. They were designed by Jens Risom, and are in excellent condition. They have a solid walnut sculptural base with a...

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Mid century modern Jens Risom 4' floating bench in walnut and linen fabric
Mid century modern Jens Risom 4' floating bench in walnut and linen fabric

Mid century modern Jens Risom 4' floating bench in walnut and linen fabric

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H 17 in W 49 in D 18.5 in

Mid century modern Jens Risom 4' floating bench in walnut and linen fabric

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Located in Virginia Beach, VA

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Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Bench/Table

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H 21.5 in W 19 in D 15 in

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Bench/Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Wilmington, DE

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Bench Table This is a bench(we have two matching stools that accomodates this bench being sold seperately). The bench is quite uni...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Benches

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Walnut

Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools/Ottomans
Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools/Ottomans

Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools/Ottomans

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H 21.5 in W 19 in D 15 in

Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools/Ottomans

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Located in Wilmington, DE

Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools Offered is a Pair of Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Stools. This set includes two stools(we have...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Benches

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Classic Jens Risom Upholstered Bench Six Foot
Classic Jens Risom Upholstered Bench Six Foot

Classic Jens Risom Upholstered Bench Six Foot

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H 17 in W 72.5 in D 18.5 in

Classic Jens Risom Upholstered Bench Six Foot

By Jens Risom

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A Classic Jens Risom six foot long, upholstered, floating bench. Walnut frame with natural, raw linen/silk upholstery. Not this is a lighter wood-walnut version.

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Jens Risom '1916-2016' Floating Bench in Silk & Walnut for Jens Risom Design Inc
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H 16.75 in W 48.75 in D 18.5 in

Jens Risom '1916-2016' Floating Bench in Silk & Walnut for Jens Risom Design Inc

By Jens Risom

Located in Oakland, CA

Floating bench with silk upholstery and walnut frame, designed by Danish American designer Jens Risom (1916-2016) for his company Jens Risom Design Inc. The bench is designed to crea...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Benches

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Jens Risom Upholstered Bench, Walnut and Bouclé, 1960s
Jens Risom Upholstered Bench, Walnut and Bouclé, 1960s

Jens Risom Upholstered Bench, Walnut and Bouclé, 1960s

Sold

H 17.5 in W 72 in D 18 in

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 Benches

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Bouclé, Walnut

Jens Risom benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom benches 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 benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Harry Bertoia, Arthur Umanoff, and Milo Baughman. Prices for Jens Risom benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,395 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,098.

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Questions About Jens Risom Benches
  • Who is Jens Risom?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • Was Jens Risom Danish?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • Who sells Jens Risom rockers?
    1 Answer
    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.

More Jens Risom Furniture

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