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Jens Risom Stools

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
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City

Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City

$1,800

Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in Buffalo, NY

Rare and early Jens Risom stool for Knoll Associates, New York City. Simple, elegant design. Retains original finish as well as original early oil cloth upholstered top. Also origina...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

C. 1946 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W with Original Label
C. 1946 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W with Original Label

C. 1946 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W with Original Label

$2,200

C. 1946 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W with Original Label

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Risom Stool, Model 667-W, originally designed by Jens Risom in 1946. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA C. 1946. The stools design is comprised of a m...

Category

1940s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Fabric, Maple

Early Jens Risom for Knoll Strap Stool
Early Jens Risom for Knoll Strap Stool

Early Jens Risom for Knoll Strap Stool

$650

Early Jens Risom for Knoll Strap Stool

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in St. Louis, MO

Early Jens Risom for Knoll strap stool for Knoll, missing label, but date stamped May 15, 1952. Original finish shows age, original strap webbing wor...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Maple

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Stool
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Stool

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Stool

$1,875

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Stool

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century walnut stool This stool is 16 wide x 19 deep x 37.25 inches high, with a seat height of 27 inches All pieces of furnit...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Walnut

C. 1951 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W in Maple and Canvas with Label
C. 1951 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W in Maple and Canvas with Label

C. 1951 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W in Maple and Canvas with Label

$1,400

C. 1951 Jens Risom for Knoll Stool 667-W in Maple and Canvas with Label

By Jens Risom, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Risom Stool, Model 667-W, originally designed by Jens Risom in 1946. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA C. 1951. The stools design is comprised of a m...

Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Maple, Fabric

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Previously Available Items
American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom
American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

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H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in

American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

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Located in San Diego, CA

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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Stools

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Birch

American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom
American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

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H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in

American Mid Century Modern Knoll Stool by Jens Risom

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Whimsical versatyle solid wood stool designed by Jens Risom for Knoll Studio retains label , good solid construction nice patina . Shows small stain we are going to try to fix it .

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Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Bench

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H 17 in W 72 in D 18 in

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Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut bench This bench measures: 72 wide x 18 deep x 17 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in ...

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Pair of Early Mid-Century Jens Risom Knoll Stools

Pair of Early Mid-Century Jens Risom Knoll Stools

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Located in San Antonio, TX

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Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of 3 Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Stools
Set of 3 Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Stools

Set of 3 Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Stools

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H 36.5 in W 16 in D 18.9 in

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

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Brass

Pair of Bar Stools by Jens Risom, US, 1960s
Pair of Bar Stools by Jens Risom, US, 1960s

Pair of Bar Stools by Jens Risom, US, 1960s

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Pair of Jens Risom Benches
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H 14 in W 72 in

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Located in Chicago, IL

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Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

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Mohair, Walnut

Walnut Bench by Jens Risom
Walnut Bench by Jens Risom

Walnut Bench by Jens Risom

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H 16 in W 50 in L 16 in

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By Jens Risom

Located in Dallas, TX

A walnut bench with curved, upholstered seat. Designed by Jens Risom.

Category

1950s Vintage Jens Risom Stools

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Walnut

Clean Lined Walnut Bench by Jens Risom
Clean Lined Walnut Bench by Jens Risom

Clean Lined Walnut Bench by Jens Risom

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H 16.5 in W 48 in D 20 in

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Located in Atlanta, GA

Clean lined walnut bench, designed by Jens Risom, American, circa 1950s. The simple architectural design appears to float the seat over the base. It is a versatile size and would be ...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Stools

Materials

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Jens Risom for Ralph Pucci Glasshouse Stools in Zebra Hide, Set of Four
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Zebra Hide

Jens Risom stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom stools 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 stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original stools 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 stools by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Cleo Baldon, and Florence Knoll. Prices for Jens Risom stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $7,795, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,423.

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Questions About Jens Risom Stools

  • 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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