Jens Risom Chairs
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
Set of 8 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of eight Jens Risom Playboy dining chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft and curly camel fabric. An exemplar of Mid-Century Modern design, Danish American Jens ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll Associates
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a beautiful upholstered armchair designed by Jens Risom for HG Knoll & Associates in the 1940s. It is one of the early, iconic chairs that ushered in a period of incredible mid-century modern design. The solid Birch frame cradles a foam cushioned seat that was recently reupholstered in Knoll Maharam fabrics. The fabric is timeless and high-quality, and it suits the lighter birch wood color perfectly. This is more than just a collectible MCM chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Birch
Pair of Mid Century Barrel Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Stunning pair of authentic mid century lounge chairs by Jens Risom. This pair of chairs is absolutely breathtaking, the gorgeous olive green mohair (vegan) contrasts the beautiful wa...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Mohair
Early edition of the 666 chair by Jens Risom, produced by De Coene
By De Coene Frères, Jens Risom
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
This early edition of the 666 chair was produced by De Coene. Since 1954 De Coene became the Benelux producer of the expensive Knoll furniture. This rare old set of chairs are in all...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of six early Jens Risom chairs. France 1950.
By Jean Prouvé, Marcel Gascoin, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Set of six chairs designed by Jens Risom. The oldest model features a solid oak structure and natural reed weaving for both the backrest and seat. The chairs have developed a beautif...
Category
1950s French Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Oak
Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chairs in Ivory Shearling, circa 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom lounge chairs expertly reupholstered in soft ivory shearling with professionally refinished walnut frames. An exem...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Hide, Walnut
Vintage Classic Armless Chairs by Jens Risom, 1950's
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic slipper or armless chairs by Jens Risom-original, vintage 1950's production. Walnut frames have a beautiful patina, newly reupholstered in Brunschwig & Fils linen, ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom C-120 Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this handsome 1950's model C-120 Jens Risom armchair in exceptional all-original condition. The chair features an exposed, solid walnut frame with an elegan...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Rare Pair of Risom for Knoll 666 Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Early and hard to find design by Jens Risom for Knoll, model 666 chairs having birch frames and cloth webbing seats. These chairs are in original and untouch...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Pair of Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Danish Jens Risom attributed Mid-Century Modern armchairs with new wool felt upholstery, circa 1960s . Button tufted. Tapered legs with minor loses and fading to wood. Good original ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Wool
Jens Risom in Red Maharam Leather Armchairs or Occasional Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of poised and elegant model 1103 armchairs, designed by Jens Risom for his eponymous company Jens Risom Design Inc. Showcasing the designer’s fusion of Scandinavian and America...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Leather, 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 Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Jens Risom Design Pair of Oiled Walnut & Leather Upholstered Armchairs, c.1965
By Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
Offered for sale is an original pair of Jen Risom Design oiled walnut and leather upholstered armchairs. The chairs have upholstered oval backs on a sculptural walnut base, c.1965. A re-edition of the chair is currently being retailed at John Roselli for $3600 per chair. This pair is in good original condition and has the Jens Risom label...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut lounge chair.
This chair measures: 23.25 wide x 24 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm h...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Risom Side Dining Chair Ebonized Maple & Black Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single Risom dining chair in ebonized maple with black cotton webbing designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. This example was produced in 2021 and came di...
Category
2010s American Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Ash
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1960s Jens Risom Style Caned Dining Chairs - a Set of 5
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Mid-Century Modern Walnut Naugahyde Chairs Attrib Jens Risom
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Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
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Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair
By Jens Risom
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Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original tan upholstery.
Measures: 22.25"W x...
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H 31.75 in W 22.25 in D 23 in
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
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One mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Knoll originally in 1946. This early design has a hard maple frame with new linen upholstery.
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Jens Risom Set of 12 Upholstered Oak Dining Side Chairs, USA 1960's
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A set of twelve side chairs in oak and upholstery by Jens Risom.
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Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Chairs for Marble c. 1960s, a pair
By B.L. Marble Furniture, Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Both chairs have been fully refinished, have new foam, and have been reupholstered in Maharam “Hearth Fabric” - these chairs feature solid, white oak frames that have been steam-bent...
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Chunky Oak Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Marble Furniture
By B.L. Marble Furniture, Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. Reupholstered in nubby wool. Chunky oak frame with upholstered cushions.
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
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Jens Risom Midcentury Modern Arm Chairs - Set of 8 - Model C170 - Black Walnut
By Knoll, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of eight (8) vintage mid century modern arm chairs by Jens Risom, circa late 1950s. Model C-170 in solid American black walnut with sculpted flared armrests. Stout and sturdy Ame...
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H 31 in W 24 in D 25.5 in
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut & Cream Occasional Chairs
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Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Jens Risom 1960s arm chairs. These examples have newly finished solid walnut frames with subtly tapered arms and have bean recently upholstered in a soft off-white leather.
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Jens Risom Strapped Leather Lounge Chair
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut & Cream Occasional Chairs
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Located in Phoenix, AZ
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Jens Risom Arm Chairs, Midcentury Walnut + Blue Velvet Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom upholstered armchairs in sculpted solid black walnut - set of four, circa early 1960s. Refined, elegant Danish modern design coupled with stout and sturdy American craftsmanship.
This listing is for a set of four (4) arm chairs
Fully restored with blue performance velvet...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
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Velvet, Walnut
H 36 in W 30 in D 30 in
Jens Risom Arm Chairs, Midcentury Walnut + Blue Velvet Dining Chairs, a Pair
By Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom upholstered arm chairs in sculpted solid black walnut - set of two, circa early 1960s. Refined, elegant Danish modern design coupled with stout and sturdy American craftsmanship.
This listing is for a pair (2) arm chairs - We have three (3) pairs available.
Fully restored with blue performance velvet...
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Set of 12 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of twelve Jens Risom Playboy Dining Chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft camel curly fabric. An exemplar of Mid...
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H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 10 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
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Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large set of ten Jens Risom Playboy dining chairs professionally reupholstered in super soft camel curly fabric. An exemplar of Mid-Ce...
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H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 6 Jens Risom Walnut Dining Chairs with Caned Backs
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Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 6 Jens Risom Dining Room Chairs. Newly refinished, reupholstered and caning replaced! These are a nice large scale dining chair! Very solid and ready to go! New velvet sea...
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Jens Risom chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 23 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original chairs 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 chairs by Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, and Baker Furniture Company. Prices for Jens Risom chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $28,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,498.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Chairs
- 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.