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Jens Risom Footstools

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
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench

$9,800

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in light gray woven fabric with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Rose Pink Upholstery and Walnut Floating Bench
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Rose Pink Upholstery and Walnut Floating Bench

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Rose Pink Upholstery and Walnut Floating Bench

$7,500

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Rose Pink Upholstery and Walnut Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a textured rose pink upholstered seat resting on a walnut frame. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Fabric

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Black Tufted Vinyl and Wood Floating Bench
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Black Tufted Vinyl and Wood Floating Bench

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Black Tufted Vinyl and Wood Floating Bench

$9,800

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Black Tufted Vinyl and Wood Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a black vinyl button tufted seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

$7,500

Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a green fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

$7,500

Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with an off-white Shou-patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Multi-Colored Geometric Pattern Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
Jens Risom Multi-Colored Geometric Pattern Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

Jens Risom Multi-Colored Geometric Pattern Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

$7,500

Jens Risom Multi-Colored Geometric Pattern Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a geometrically patterned blue, green, and orange fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).  

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Jens Risom Danish Blue and Green Southwestern Pattern Upholstery
Jens Risom Danish Blue and Green Southwestern Pattern Upholstery

Jens Risom Danish Blue and Green Southwestern Pattern Upholstery

$7,500

Jens Risom Danish Blue and Green Southwestern Pattern Upholstery

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

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

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Jens Risom Danish Gray Velvet Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
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H 17 in W 49 in D 18 in

Jens Risom Danish Gray Velvet Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench

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Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in gray velvet with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).  

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20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

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Jens Risom Walnut Bench
Jens Risom Walnut Bench

Jens Risom Walnut Bench

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H 17 in W 48 in D 19.5 in

Jens Risom Walnut Bench

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A walnut T621 floating curved bench designed by Jens Risom.

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom
Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom

Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom

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Pair of footstools by Jens Risom.

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom
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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom

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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Footstools

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom, 1950s
Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom, 1950s

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Set of footstools or benches designed by Jens Risom, circa 1950s. Walnut bases fully restored, newly upholstered in aqua velvet by Holly Hunt.

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Mid-20th Century American Jens Risom Footstools

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom, 1950s
Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom, 1950s

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Pair of Footstools by Jens Risom, 1950s

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Birchwood Stool by Jens Risom for Knoll

Birchwood Stool by Jens Risom for Knoll

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H 17.25 in W 16 in D 15 in

Birchwood Stool by Jens Risom for Knoll

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in New York, NY

Birchwood stool with woven fabric seat, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll. USA, circa 1950. Early model.

Measures 17.25 inches H by 15 inches W by 16 inches L.

Category

1950s American Vintage Jens Risom Footstools

Jens Risom footstools for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom footstools 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 footstools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original footstools 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 footstools by Fritz Hansen, and Poul Hundevad. Prices for Jens Risom footstools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,145 and can go as high as $1,145, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,145.
Questions About Jens Risom Footstools
  • 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.

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