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.

Creator: Jens Risom

Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair in Canvas Webbing

$2,700

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

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll

$1,840

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll

By Knoll, Jens Risom

Located in San Diego, CA

A classic strapped slipper lounge chair designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll Studio. The chair features blonde wood framing with dark gray straps. Very clean and ready to use...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wood

Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing

$3,300 / set

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...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Brass

One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs

$1,760Sale Price|20% Off

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.

Category

1950s Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Maple

Pair of Jens Risom Slipper Lounge Chairs with Charcoal Tweed and Aluminum Frames

$8,000 / set

Pair of Jens Risom Slipper Lounge Chairs with Charcoal Tweed and Aluminum Frames

By Jens Risom

Located in Dallas, TX

A striking pair of 1960s classic slipper lounge chairs designed by Jens Risom, showcasing his signature blend of sculptural elegance and modernist restraint. These chairs feature new...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing

$5,450 / set

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 New Navy Blue Wool Upholstery Lounge Slipper Chairs

$9,500

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

Pair of Early Woven Leather Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll

$6,375Sale Price / set|25% Off

H 29.5 in W 20 in D 17 in

Pair of Early Woven Leather Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll

By Knoll, Jens Risom

Located in Los Angeles, CA

RARE PAIR of Early woven leather lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll. Made in USA, circa 1950's. Stamped. See images. East Coast Delivery for a fee. Please message for pricing.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Leather, Birch

Westnofa Scandinavian Rosewood Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Ingmar Relling

$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 39.5 in W 24 in D 23 in

Westnofa Scandinavian Rosewood Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Ingmar Relling

By Westnofa Furniture

Located in Pasadena, TX

Westnofa Scandinavian rosewood lounge chair & ottoman by Ingmar Relling A Mid-Century Modern lounge chair and ottoman made in Nor...

Category

1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Rare Jens Risom Walnut & Light Fabric Floating Lounge Chair, 1953

$2,200

H 30 in W 26 in D 29 in

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom, Lounge Chair, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s

$5,800

H 31 in W 24 in D 36 in

Jens Risom, Lounge Chair, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in High Point, NC

A white fabric and maple lounge chair designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll, USA, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 24.0"W x ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Maple

1960's Hollywood Regency Velvet Slipper Lounge Chairs - a Pair

$2,799Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 29 in W 30 in D 27.75 in

1960's Hollywood Regency Velvet Slipper Lounge Chairs - a Pair

By Dorothy Draper, William Billy Haines

Located in Burbank, CA

Vintage 1960's Hollywood Regency slipper chairs for sale. They have a solid wood base that have been refinished in black, and have been reupholstered in a high-end velvet by Robert A...

Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Early Model 652 Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, circa 1946

$2,250

H 10 in W 24 in D 27.5 in

Early Model 652 Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, circa 1946

By Knoll, Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Early Model 652 Lounge Chair, circa 1946 by Jens Risom (1916-2016) for Knoll Associates maple, nylon Early Decal: Knoll Associates Inc., 601 Madison Ave, New York 22, N.Y. "This ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Maple

Jens Risom Lounge Chair

$5,700

H 31.5 in W 28.5 in D 33 in

Jens Risom Lounge Chair

By Jens Risom

Located in New York, NY

Jens Risom lounge chair. Newly upholstered in a linen-blend fabric with a black lacquered base.

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Pair of Vintage Midcentury Restored Jens Risom Lounge Chairs

$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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Cowhide, Walnut

Jens Risom Lounge Chair U-430 for Risom Inc., USA, 1950s

$3,667Sale 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.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Jens Risom Upholstered Lounge Chair

$3,800

H 31.5 in W 29.5 in D 32 in

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.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Mid-Century Jens Risom Style Slipper Chair with Upholstered Seat and Walnut Base

$2,750

H 32 in W 26 in D 28 in

Mid-Century Jens Risom Style Slipper Chair with Upholstered Seat and Walnut Base

By Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A refined mid-century modern slipper chair in the style of Jens Risom, featuring a sleek low profile and understated elegance. The chair is upholstered in a soft cream fabric with su...

Category

Mid-19th Century European Mid-Century Modern Antique Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Handsome Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern

$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 ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Previously Available Items

Rare Pair 1960s Jens Risom Walnut Playboy Slipper Lounge Chairs, Mid-Century

Sold

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...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom in Teddy Wool , C. 1950s

Sold

H 32.5 in W 27 in D 32 in

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

Mid Century Risom for Knoll Vostra Slipper Chair c 1940/50's

Sold

H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 23.5 in

Mid Century Risom for Knoll Vostra Slipper Chair c 1940/50's

By Jens Risom, Knoll

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

Sold

H 32.25 in W 26.5 in D 28.5 in

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

Rare Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom for Risom, Inc. C. 1950s

Sold

H 30 in W 23 in D 27 in

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

Rare Vintage Upholstered Jens Risom Vostra Easy Chair for Knoll Associates, NYC

Sold

H 30 in W 21 in D 26 in

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

Classic Slipper Chairs by Jens Risom in Bouclé, C. 1950s

Sold

H 32.5 in W 27 in D 32 in

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

Sold

H 33.25 in W 26.5 in D 31 in

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

Sold

H 31 in W 24 in D 32 in

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

Sold

H 31 in W 23 in D 30 in

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 Slipper Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll

Sold

H 30 in W 20 in D 27.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll

By Knoll, Jens Risom

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

Sold

H 30 in W 30 in D 31 in

Jens Risom Lounge Chair Model U416, Midcentury Low Slipper in Walnut + Boucle

By Florence Knoll, Jens Risom

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

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

Knoll

Shop All Knoll Slipper Chairs

Baker Furniture Company

Shop All Baker Furniture Company Slipper Chairs

Thayer Coggin

Shop All Thayer Coggin Slipper Chairs

Paul McCobb

Shop All Paul McCobb Slipper Chairs

John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder

Shop All John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder Slipper Chairs

Tomlinson

Shop All Tomlinson Slipper Chairs

Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Shop All Widdicomb Furniture Co. Slipper Chairs

Harvey Probber

Shop All Harvey Probber Slipper Chairs

Milo Baughman

Shop All Milo Baughman Slipper Chairs

Questions About Jens Risom Slipper Chairs

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.