Jens Risom Sofas
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
20th Century American Two Seater Sofa - Walnut Settee by Jens Risom Design
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States.
Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D
Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D
Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Faintly Striped Red Upholstered Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century sofa with angled arms, curved back, and faintly striped red and orange upholstery with button tufted detail, resting on a walnut base with four tapered square legs...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Model 250 Armless Sofa by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Immaculate Jens Risom Model-250 High back Armless Slipper Sofa. This sofa is STUNNING, the armless, slightly reclined silhouette and gorgeous walnut frames gives it a very simple, y...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Walnut
Long Mid-Century Sofa by Jens Risom Manufacturing
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large-scale sofa measures over 9 feet long and makes a unique and stylish seating addition to any interior. Comfortable and stunning in it's size and simplicity, the design by J...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Tufted Back Sofa in Off White. Expertly Restored
By Jens Risom
Located in Kansas City, MO
This Jens Risom high back tufted back sofa has ben expertly restored and reupholstered in an off white fabric. Like new and ready to ship.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Loveseat Sofa For Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early Jens Risom model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll is a classic example of Mid-Century Modern design. The fully upholstered sofa features a high back with rounded edges and reces...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
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 Sofas
Materials
Maple
Vintage Walnut Sofa Model U-150 by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage walnut sofa designed by the iconic designer Jens Risom in the United States, circa 1950s. Transform your living space with this exquisitely ref...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Leather
Jens Risom NEW Beige Linen Upholstery Oiled Walnut Frame c1960s Sofa Couch MINT!
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Jens Risom NEW Beige Linen Upholstery Oiled Walnut Frame c1950s U-150 Sofa Couch MINT!
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Walnut, Linen
Jens Risom Model 2516 Sculptural Sofa Gray Velvet and walnut base
By Jens Risom
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Uncommon Jens Risom Model 2516 sofa with a curvaceous back and sculptural walnut base. The sides of the base with subtle bow tie shape, cutouts in the front of the frame lend to the...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Walnut
Early Jens Risom Knoll Associates Armless Settee
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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 Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Jens Risom Floating Sofa, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Raleigh, NC
Danish modern design at its finest. New leather to this floating sofa by Jens Risom. Dating to the 1960s with beautiful sculpted lines and walnut base....
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Jens Risom Sofa for Marble c. 1960s
By Jens Risom, B.L. Marble Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
This sofa has been fully refinished, features new foam, and has been reupholstered in Maharam “Hearth” fabric - it feature a solid, white oak frame that has been steam-bent. While it...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Oak, Fabric
Sofa by Jens Risom for Risom Manufacturing
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A three (3) seat sofa on a teak frame base retaining the original yellow upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Teak, Upholstery
New Upholstered Orange Jens Risom Sofa Set with Missoni Fabric
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent set by Jens Risom in fully restored condition. The fabric is an orange yellow Missoni fabric with new foam and restored walnut frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Three-Seat Jens Risom Sofa for Risom Design Inc multicolored fabric with stripes
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
This Jens Risom sofa for Risom Design Inc. is in good condition. The solid walnut frame has been oiled and is in vintage condition with normal wear with age (slight imperfections). T...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid Century Danish Cotton Velvet Walnut Frame Sofa by Jens Risom, 1960s.
By Jens Risom
Located in Dublin 8, IE
This gorgeous Jens Risom sofa is mid-century design at its finest – a masterpiece from the legendary Danish designer who helped define Scandinavian-American style. With its polished ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
C. 1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Associates Three-Seater Sofa/Settee w/ New Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a three-seater settee, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates in 1941. The piece has a frame constructed of pine (or possibly birch), and has newly re-done webbed straps...
Category
1940s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Copper
Classic Jens Risom Three Seat Sofa Ca' 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic three seat sofa by Jens Risom, ca' 1960's. Sculpted and recessed walnut base, model #2516. Freshly reupholstered and ready to be enjoyed for many years. The cushions are re...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
1949 Jens Risom No. 23 Sofa with New Upholstery Signed H.G. Knoll Products
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare and early Jens Risom Sofa, model number 23, produced by Knoll and labelled H.G. Knoll Products. This particular examples dates to circa 1949....
Category
1940s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Jens Risom Floating Three-Seat Armless Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seat sofa, Model #U250, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Design in the 1950s. Composed of a sculptural walnut base on which the tufted, high-back seat is mounted. Sharp, modern...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Model 2516 Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Model 2516 Walnut Sofa
This sofa measures: 91 wide x 34 deep x 27.75 inches high, with a seat height of 21.25 and arm height of 17 inches
All pieces of furni...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sled Leg Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sled Leg Sofa
This sofa measures: 85 wide x 32 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height of 21 inches...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 3 Seat Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom mid century walnut 3 seat sofa
This sofa measures: 64 wide x 23 deep x 32 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches
Ready for new upholstery. This service is avai...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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Previously Available Items
Vintage Walnut Frame Sofa by Jens Risom Designs
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Jens Risom U150 Floating Sofa on Solid Walnut Base, Circa 1960's
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Sofas
Materials
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Mid-Century Sofa in Walnut by Jens Risom Newly Reupholstered in Charcoal Wool
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Classic mid-century three-seat sofa by one of the Grand Masters of the era, Jens Risom. Newly upholstered an a charcoal grey wool. Low profile cushions a...
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Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare and early two seater sofa or settee by Jens Risom for Risom Manufacturing Corp. in walnut & original nubby wool upholstery with hand-stitching. Completely original vintage con...
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Early Model 37 Sofa by Jens Risom for Knoll in Mohair, 1950s
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Jens Risom sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom sofas 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 sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas 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 sofas by Ficks Reed, Paul McCobb, and Selig. Prices for Jens Risom sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,400 and can go as high as $16,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,648.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Sofas
- 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.