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
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 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
Sold|$8,500
H 28 in W 29 in D 30.5 in
Rare Pair 1960s Jens Risom Walnut Playboy Slipper Lounge Chairs, Mid-Century
By Jens Risom
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Current upholstery is filthy, soiled and stained, and these chairs require immediate reupholstery. The frames are strong, and the joints are not loose, and there are no repairs evide...
Walnut
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
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
$3,300 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring exquisite...
Brass
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
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 27 in D 26 in
Pair of Vintage Midcentury Restored Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Jens Risom`s career has spanned nearly sixty years. He began his study of design in the Copenhagen workshop of Kaare Klint in 1935 and joined Ernst Kuhn`s architectural office in 1938, where he designed furniture and interiors. In 1939, Risom emigrated to the U.S. and in 1941 designed the first chair manufactured by Knoll. Risom described the chair as "very basic, very simple, inexpensive, easy to make." The chair was constructed with a birch wood frame and, because of wartime materials constraints, cheap but strong army surplus...
Cowhide, 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.
Steel
Midcentury Jens Risom Style Swivel Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Mid century Jens Risom Style swivel lounge chair Petite for small spaces yet roomy in the seat this lounge chair has Classic tufting and buttoned ...
Walnut
Rare Jens Risom Walnut & Light Fabric Floating Lounge Chair, 1953
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Jens Risom, this lounge chair was made exclusively for the model year 1953. It features a frame of solid carved walnut and is upholstered in a light floral fabric. Then d...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chair in Walnut and Bamboo Upholstery
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom, lounge chair, walnut and fabric, United States, 1960s. This armchair is designed by Jens Risom. The walnut frame serves as both structural foundation and defining visual...
Fabric, Walnut
$3,714Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 26.78 in D 28.35 in
Jens Risom Lounge Chair U-430 for Risom Inc., USA, 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Jens Risom lounge chair U-430 for Risom Inc., USA 1950s Upholstered in new Kvadrat Fabric.
Fabric, Walnut
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