Jens Risom Desks
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
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
This desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 26 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
This desk measures: 81.25 wide x 36 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Cane Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Cane Executive Desk
This desk measures: 72 wide x 30 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Denton, TX
Giant Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk.
Knee hole height is 27.38.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
1970 Jens Risom Designs Double Pedestal Executive Desk in Walnut Made in Denmark
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large Double Pedestal Executive Desk in Walnut, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs Inc. in the 1960s. This example dates to ca. 1970 and has been recently refinished....
Category
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Steel
American Mid Century rare desk Paper tray by Jens Risom in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Desk tray designed by Jens Risom. Solid walnut with dovetail joinery. Labeled on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
This desk measures: 62 wide x 34 deep x 28 high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches
The return measures: 41 inches deep
The combined de...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk
This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Metal
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jens Risom (Danish American,1916-2016) Mid-Century Modern walnut writing desk. Features 2 drawers with beautiful walnut handles. Key include...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
The desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches
The retur...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Large Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom, USA, 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
A large and handsome executive desk constructed of solid walnut with "Y" shaped drawer pulls designed by Jens Risom, circa 1960.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Aluminum
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury Walnut and Formica top writing desk
This desk measures: 72 wide x 35.25 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches
All pieces of furniture ca...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Formica, Walnut
Jens Risom Wall Mounted Walnut and Brass Dresser with Fold Out Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Wall Mounted Walnut and Brass Dresser with Fold Out Desk
This dresser measures: 54 wide x 21 deep x 24 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
This desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 25.5 inches
The depth including the return is 78 inches
All pie...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Walnut Desk by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
A large desk made of walnut wood from the 1960s, designed by Jens Risom for the American manufactory Jens Risom Design. Desk with two drawer modules. There are two drawers in the lef...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Walnut
Desk by Jens Risom, Blonde Wood, Blue Drawer Fronts, Chrome Pulls, Laminate Top
By Jens Risom
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jens Risom desk for Risom Designs. Birch wood case, light blue lacquered drawer fronts, chrome pulls, brass feet, and virtually indestructible Laminate top. Condition is good and com...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
Materials
Brass, Chrome
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks
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Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
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Vintage original Midcentury Modern executive office desk for sale. Manufactured in the 1960's by Jens Risom Inc, and was designed by famed designer Jens Risom. It has the classic Jen...
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This is an executive desk in walnut, designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs in the 1960s. It features two drawers on the left, three drawers on the right, and pull-out surface...
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By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
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Jens Risom desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks 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 desks by Florence Knoll, Dunbar, and Knoll. Prices for Jens Risom desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,400 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,073.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Desks
- 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.
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