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 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.
Upholstery
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair By Jens Risom USA, 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original tan upholstery. Measures: 22.25"W x...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Club Chairs in Mohair by Jens Risom, C. 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Discover the timeless allure of a rare set of club chairs designed by Jens Risom in the late 1960s, now meticulously restored for a contemporary touch. The walnut legs have undergone...
Mohair, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Lounge Chair This chair measures: 26.75 wide x 28 deep x 30 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearance of 24 inches Good Vintage Condition...
Upholstery, Wood
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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.
Fabric, Maple
$2,350
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Jens Risom Model 652-W lounge chair for KnollStudio, originally designed in 1941 and still celebrated as one of the icons of mid-century modern design. This timeless piece fe...
Cotton, Wood
Pair of Jens Risom Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Jens Risom Chairs Walnut side chairs re-upholstered
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Upholstery, Hardwood
Floral Print Upholstered Lounge Chair. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Hollywood Regency Floral Print Upholstered Lounge Chair. Circa 1970s Features a vibrant floral fabric print upholstery in shades of pink, blue, and green on dark blue backgro...
Upholstery, Wood
Jens Risom Style Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Style Mid Century Lounge Chair This chair measures: 24.5 wide x 28 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 15.5 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Chair Frame is in Good Shap...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Steel
1960s MCM Green Vinyl Barrel Club Slipper Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1960s with this exquisite barrel chairs set. The ultra rare chairs exudes an air of history and refinement. Outstanding design ...
Faux Leather, Wood
Jens Risom Set of 12 Upholstered Oak Dining Side Chairs, USA 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
A set of twelve side chairs in oak and upholstery by Jens Risom.
Upholstery, Oak
$2,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 27.5 in D 29 in
Handsome Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Designed by Danish-born Jens Risom, this vintage chair is beautiful perfection. The comfortably contoured faux leather seat floats in an exquisite, oiled walnut frame. The original ...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair featuring exquisite canvas webbing, this piec...
Brass
Lounge Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A lounge chair with sculpted walnut base designed by Jens Risom. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Winter White.
Bouclé, Walnut
Jens Risom Large Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs, Inc. Beautifully restored with refinished walnut base and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Vladimir: Silver Fog.
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 22.25 in D 23 in
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair By Jens Risom USA, 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original olive green Naugahyde upholstery. M...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs, Walnut and Knoll Bouclé
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of model U-420 lounge chairs by Jens Risom in highly figured walnut and Knoll Classic Boucle "Smoke". Refinished and reupholstered.
Bouclé, Walnut
Jens Risom Easy Chair and Ottoman Model U333 and U790, 1959
By Jens Risom
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Jens Risom lounge chair (Model Number U 333 Easy Chair) and matching ottoman (Model Number U 790). This chair and ottoman set are very comfortable. They are structurally sound with...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and iconic pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut model C140 "Playboy" armchairs designed by Jens Risom. The chairs feature stunning sculpted solid walnut frames a...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Risom for Risom Inc. pair of lounge chairs with articulated arms, original vintage condition with wear and patina on arms and legs. Upholstery original.
Upholstery, Birch
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of large scale lounge chairs with walnut bases. Designed by Jens Risom. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt Cobblestone fabric.
Walnut
Lounge Chair and Ottoman Designed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Sleek and spacious lounge chair and ottoman designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom designs, 1960s. Walnut bases are in great condition. New cream linen upholstery and cushions. Measu...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Floating Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Jens Risom floating lounge chairs. Frames are black lacquered walnut with a satin finish and have new foam and blue cotton...
Velvet, Walnut
Jens Risom "Playboy" Club Chairs, Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Mid-Century Modern model C140 "Playboy" armchairs designed by Jens Risom. The chairs feature stunning sculpted solid walnut frames and original light blue viny...
Walnut
Jens Risom 65 Series Skate Lounges
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs. Chrome base in excellent condition, newly upholstered in navy blue washed velvet.
Chrome