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Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut & Silver Chest of Drawers, Writing Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed in the 1960s by famed designer Jens Risom, this vintage dresser features graduated drawers with unique sculpted handles and a pull-out (hidden) writing desk. Silver metal tr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut & Silver Chest of Drawers, Writing Desk
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut & Silver Chest of Drawers, Writing Desk

Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut & Silver Chest of Drawers, Writing Desk

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Fall-Front Walnut Bedside Table / Commode
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut bedside table / commode with a bottom cabinet with a fall-front drawer and brass drawer pull with an open compartment above with four dowel legs. (JENS RISOM)
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Fall-Front Walnut Bedside Table / Commode
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Fall-Front Walnut Bedside Table / Commode

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Fall-Front Walnut Bedside Table / Commode

Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak Bedside Table / Commodes
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Danish Mid-Century blond oak bedside tables / commodes with a single upper drawer above a cabinet compartment with angled wooden drawer pulls...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Oak

Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak Bedside Table / Commodes
Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak Bedside Table / Commodes

Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak Bedside Table / Commodes

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 24 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 24 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 24 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers

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Pair of Bachelors Chests by Jens Risom
Pair of Bachelors Chests by Jens Risom

Pair of Bachelors Chests by Jens Risom

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By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Nice large example, newly professionally refinished, clean ready to use condition. Two cabinets attach to the base, one cabinet has four drawers, the other four drawers and a swing ...
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Walnut

Jens Risom Dresser Credenza
Jens Risom Dresser Credenza

Jens Risom Dresser Credenza

H 31.5 in W 90 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Credenza by Jens Risom Design
By Jens Risom
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This beautiful vintage credenza is the perfect storage piece for almost any room. Three drawers matched with cabinet space make organization and concealing clutter a stylish and simp...
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Mid-Century Credenza by Jens Risom Design
Mid-Century Credenza by Jens Risom Design

Mid-Century Credenza by Jens Risom Design

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Stylish Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Jens Risom Walnut Cabinet with Leather Top
Jens Risom Walnut Cabinet with Leather Top

Jens Risom Walnut Cabinet with Leather Top

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Pair of Jens Risom Nightstand End Tables
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Pair of Jens Risom Nightstand End Tables
Pair of Jens Risom Nightstand End Tables

Pair of Jens Risom Nightstand End Tables

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Early Jens Risom Walnut Chest
Early Jens Risom Walnut Chest

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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Teak Dressers by Jens Risom
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This beautiful pair of Mid-Century five-drawer dressers by Jens Risom feature unique carved pulls, detailed sled style legs, and tremendous teak wood grain. Perfect matching pair wit...
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1950s American Vintage Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Teak Dressers by Jens Risom
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Teak Dressers by Jens Risom

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Teak Dressers by Jens Risom

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Jens Risom commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers by Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner, and Feldballes Møbelfabrik. Prices for Jens Risom commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $9,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,295.

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Questions About Jens Risom Commodes and Chests of Drawers
  • 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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