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
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
1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Chair, Model 666; 600 series
By Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Chair, Model 666; 600 series
•Some discoloration and fading to the original seat webbing (red fabric)
•Wood frame shows cosmetic signs of wear
•Frame is st...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Early edition of the 666 chair by Jens Risom, produced by De Coene
By Jens Risom, De Coene Frères
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
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
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 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
Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll Associates
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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
Set of six early Jens Risom chairs. France 1950.
By Jean Prouvé, Florence Knoll, Marcel Gascoin, 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
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
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Risom Side Dining Chair Ebonized Maple & Black Webbing
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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
Jens Risom, Vostra Easy Lounge Chair, Design 1941 for Walter Knoll, Germany
By Knoll, Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Munster, NRW
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll - Easychair Vostra, 1941
Design from 1941 - model of the 50s, beech frame.
This Easychair comes from the private property of an art dealer in Cologne,...
Category
1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Beech
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
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 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
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
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 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 Midcentury Walnut & Cream Occasional Chairs
By Jens Risom
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair Jens Risom Playboy chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
A pair Jens Risom walnut armchairs model C140 Playboy chairs. Iconic Mad Men era chairs. All original in very good condition. This is a great set of ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Related Items
Mid-Century Vintage Jens Risom Knoll Webbed Armchair
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Baltimore, MD
A stunning iconic cotton strap, webbed, lounge, armchair, 652W design (1943) early edition, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll International. Features a solid maple frame with original woven cotton straps. It is one of the most comfortable pieces you will sit in, the exquisite curved back provides lumbar support making this chair as comfortable as it is beautiful. The removable webbed, basket seat, shell is supported and rests on the arm frame base. Very Rare Vintage Modern Classic design. An iconic piece of furniture, this example has remained in a single collection since it was acquired by the prior owner from Knoll International and the original early label remains affixed beneath. (Knoll Associates Inc. 601 Madison Ave New York 22). This label has the earliest Knoll Associates showroom address, which opened in 1946.
Measurements: 24.5 ” tall x 24? wide x 30? deep x seat height 18? (arm height 21") (seat to the lowest point 11")
Jens Risom
Danish-American architect-designer Jens Risom was born in Copenhagen in 1916, the son of a nationally renowned architect of the Nordic Classicism style. Between 1935 and 1938, he trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under Ole Wanscher and Kaare Klint, alongside classmates Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen. For a short time following his studies, he took on furniture and interior designer projects for the Copenhagen-based architectural firm Ernst Kuhn. He then moved briefly to Stockholm, where he worked for Nordiska Kompaniet and met Alvar Aalto and Bruno Mathsson. Around 1939, he immigrated to New York with ambitions to introduce the Scandinavian modernist approach to the US furniture market.
Risom’s arrival in the US coincided with the years of materials shortages brought on by the war. As a result, Risom was unable to secure a position in a furniture company, and, instead, found work designing textiles for decorator Dan Cooper. Eager to do more, he soon convinced Cooper to expand into the furniture market, and together they found projects with young, progressive architects like Ed Stone and George Nelson. In 1939-40, Ed Stone was invited to create Collier Magazine’s House of Ideas pavilion at Rockefeller Center as part of the New York World’s Fair, and Risom designed all of the furniture.
Around 1941, Risom met Hans Knoll, a German-born entrepreneur in the furniture industry who had a showroom on Madison Avenue dedicated to rather lackluster furnishings. Sharing a dream to do something more vanguard, they joined forces and set off on a four-month tour of the US in search of design inspiration. By 1942, Knoll launched Hans Knoll Furniture Company with Risom on board as his head designer.
Risom’s early designs for Knoll made use of military surplus...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Jens Risom Armless Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
An early Jens Risom armless sofa with maple frame. Older restoration in Knoll boucle.
Category
1950s Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Maple
Pair of Mid Century Walnut Armchairs in the Style of Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These Mid Century Walnut Armchairs, inspired by the iconic designs of Jens Risom exude a timeless elegance. Crafted with high-quality walnut and upholstered in a fabulous period fabr...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, pair of 'Vostra' chairs with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s
An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll Associates
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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 Bouclé Slipper Chairs Designed by Jens Risom for H.G. Knoll Associates
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jens Risom for H.G. Knoll Associates armless slipper chairs composed of upholstered seats supported by walnut bases (first appearing in the 1942 Knoll catalog).
There is a slight d...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
H 31 in W 23 in D 30 in
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
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.
Category
1950s Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
10 Jens Risom Side Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Knoll Studio classic, Jens Risom's designs were the first pieces manufactured by Knoll. Due to war-time restrictions on materials, this style chair was originally constructed of si...
Category
1940s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Strap Lounge Chair 1950s, Jens Risom Style
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Lovely high back lounge chair. Very nice design. Black beech wood frame, comes with off white
fabric straps light in weight, comes with the normal wear and tear after over 60 years ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll International
By Jens Risom
Located in Munich, DE
Jens Risom lounge chair for Knoll International. Webbing redone. model no. 652.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of "Playboy" Armchairs, Model C140, by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dorchester, MA
Created by Jens Risom as model C140, these handsome armchairs take their name from a 1961 Playboy Magazine photoshoot of the furniture designer among other mid-century icons. The pai...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Textile, Walnut
Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Midcentury Modern Arm Chairs - Set of 8 - Model C170 - Black Walnut
By Jens Risom, Knoll, Florence Knoll
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Walnut
H 31 in W 24 in D 25.5 in
Early Jens Risom 666 Side Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
Jens Risom and Hans Knoll came to the US seeking greater opportunities in Denmark and Germany. Hans Knoll's father, Walter Knoll, already had a fairly large furniture company in Germ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Jens Risom Strapped Leather Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Jens Risom for Knoll, circa 1940s. This 1943 design was Risom's first design for Knoll, where he had been brought on as design director. This piece features a birch f...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Steel
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut & Cream Occasional Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of Jens Risom arm chairs. These examples have newly finished solid walnut frames with subtly tapered arms and have bean recently upholstered in a soft off-white textile. Price i...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Arm Chairs, Midcentury Walnut + Blue Velvet Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Jens Risom, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
H 36 in W 30 in D 30 in
Jens Risom Arm Chairs, Midcentury Walnut + Blue Velvet Dining Chairs, a Pair
By Jens Risom, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Set of 3 Mid-Century Jens Risom Armchairs with New Bright Yellow Upholstery
By Jens Risom
Located in Asheville, NC
We have 3 of these Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom armchairs in stock. New yellow upholstery. Some scuffing/scratching/fading to the walnut bases from age appropriate wear.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
H 32.5 in W 25 in D 23 in
Pair Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom, Original, Early, Rare Angled Arm Design
By Jens Risom
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early pair of angle arm lounge chairs designed by Jens Risom. These are one of Risom earliest designs after leaving his position as design director for Knoll. The chairs retain the o...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Cane, Upholstery, Walnut
H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 10 Fully Restored Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Playboy Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
H 33 in W 21.6 in D 19 in
Set of 6 Jens Risom Walnut Dining Chairs with Caned Backs
By Jens Risom
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Arm Chairs for Knoll Intl
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Jens Risom (Danish, 1916-2016) early (c. 1950's) lounge chair for Knoll International (designed 1943), with black upholstered seat insert and maple frame. In very good vintage condit...
Category
1950s Unknown Vintage Jens Risom Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Maple
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.