Jens Risom Slipper 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 Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom in Teddy Wool , C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning pair of sculptural slipper chairs by Danish-American designer Jens Risom, circa 1950s, fully restored by Stamford Modern. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Wool, Walnut
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Mid Century Risom for Knoll Vostra Slipper Chair c 1940/50's
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century armless slipper chair, known as the Vostra chair, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll circa 1940/50's. This example is structurally soun...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Scoop Chairs for Hans Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Jens Risom scoop chairs for Hans Knoll
A pair of very early Knoll post war design scoop chairs by Jens Risom. Each has been completely restored in a luxurious Sandra Jordan ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Alpaca
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Brass
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Brass
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of Jens Risom C-220 Lounge Chairs Circa 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of model C-220 slipper lounge chairs by Jens Risom, Circa 1950s.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of New Navy Blue Wool Upholstery Lounge Slipper Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Classic Jens Risom lounge chairs in navy blue wool upholstery. Gorgeous oiled walnut frames.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Rare Vintage Upholstered Jens Risom Vostra Easy Chair for Knoll Associates, NYC
By Jens Risom
Located in Morristown, NJ
A 1940s Jens Risom for Knoll Associates Inc. Vostra Easy chair upholstered in a cream, golden and blue damask fabric. Unconventional and memorable, it was the epitome of a new depart...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Steel
Related Items
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Maple
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Wood
1940s Jens Risom Knoll Pair Upholstered Slipper Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Squirm
By Jens Risom
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A matching pair of Jens Risom's Vostra Lounge Chairs for Knoll, Germany. Feet in beechwood, from 1949.
W 20 x D 30 x Seat H 17 / Back H 30 in.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Beech
H 30 in W 20 in D 30 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955
This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest.
Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Steel
Early Jens Risom Knoll Associates Armless Settee
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic early Knoll Associates sofa designed by Jens Risom in the early 1940s. Solid birch base with sleek angled and tapering legs support a comfortable cantilevered seat with origi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Birch
Walnut Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom, C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning pair of walnut lounge chairs by Danish-American designer Jens Risom, circa 1950s. Expertly restored by Stamford Modern, the solid walnut frames feature a rich natural fini...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Fabric
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Hide, Walnut
Pair of Milo Baughman Scoop Chairs in Ivory Bouclé with Iron Legs c. 1950s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This pair of Milo Baughman 1950s scoop chairs hit all the marks with gorgeous Mid Century Modern sculptural profiles, a very comfortable ergonomic design with wide seats, and new sof...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Iron
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Previously Available Items
Rare Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom for Risom, Inc. C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Experience the epitome of mid-century modern elegance with our fully restored walnut slipper chairs from the 1950s, a timeless creation by Jens Risom for Risom, Inc. Meticulously ref...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Linen, Walnut
Classic Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom in Bouclé, C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
An impeccably restored pair of mid-century modern chairs, a timeless testament to design excellence. Originally conceived by the iconic Jens Risom in the 1950s, these chairs have bee...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Pair of Jens Risom Slipper Chairs, 1950's
By Jens Risom
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a wonderful pair of slipper chairs designed by Jens Risom.
Featuring sleek, solid walnut frames that appear to cradle the newly upholstered seats. We would call the fabr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in Raleigh, NC
Sleek lounge chairs from Jens Risom newly upholstered in a luxurious boucle atop walnut frames. A classic mid century modern look to this pair.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Bouclé Slipper Chairs Designed by Jens Risom for H.G. Knoll Associates
By Knoll, Jens Risom
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 Slipper Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
H 31 in W 23 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic strapped slipper lounge chair designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. The chair features blonde wood framing with dark gray straps. Very clean and ready to use.
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Jens Risom Lounge Chair Model U416, Midcentury Low Slipper in Walnut + Boucle
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Early Jens Risom low lounge chair in solid American black walnut and a creamy white boucle. Oversized and stout with clean modern lines, a generously deep seat and a curved back. Sub...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
H 30 in W 30 in D 31 in
Classic Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom in Mohair, circa 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
A set of slipper chairs designed by Jens Risom, circa 1950s.
Fully restored down to its frame, fitted with hand-cut high-density foam and spring system. Newly upholstered in charc...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Mohair, 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 beige velvet. These chair...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
One of a Kind Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chair in Hermès Wool, One Available
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Jens Risom. His pieces are timeless and effortlessly simple in design, a perfect coupling of Danish style and American efficiency. This chair seems elegant and small as a slipper but...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Jens Risom Armless Settee in Walnut Cradle Frames with Linen Upholstery
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
Georgeous Jens Risom slipper settee with a solid walnut frame. Very comfortable and restored to the highest possible standard.
Matching lounge chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Linen, Walnut
One of a Kind Jens Risom Walnut Slipper Chairs in Hermès Wool, Pair
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Jens Risom. His pieces are timeless and effortlessly simple in design, a perfect coupling of Danish style and American efficiency. This pair seems elegant and small as a slipper but ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Jens Risom slipper chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom slipper 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 slipper chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original slipper chairs by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider slipper chairs by Knoll, Harvey Probber, and Baker Furniture Company. Prices for Jens Risom slipper chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,760 and can go as high as $9,750, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,650.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Slipper 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.