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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
Large Rosewood Executive Desk, Jens Risom, Y Pulls, 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in Culver City, CA
This desk doesn’t whisper mid-century sophistication; it growls it through a cloud of cigar smoke and a well-poured glass of whisky. Designed by Jens Risom, this executive desk in ri...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Steel

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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 Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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

1970s Jens Risom Design Executive Desk in Walnut with Three Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Executive Desk in Walnut, designed by Jens Risom in the 1960s. Produced by Risom Design Inc. this example dates to the 1970s. It features several drawers which provide amp...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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 Franklin Park, 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 Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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

1970s Jens Risom Design Executive Desk in Walnut with Five Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Executive Desk in Walnut, designed by Jens Risom in the 1960s. This particular example was produced by Risom Design Inc. and dates back to the 1970s. The desk features fiv...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Bronze

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

1970s Jens Risom Design Executive Desk in Walnut with Three Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Executive Desk in Walnut, designed by Jens Risom in the 1960s. Produced by Risom Design Inc. this example dates to the 1970s. It features several drawers which provide amp...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Brass

Jens Risom Mid Century Ebonized Walnut Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Ebonized Walnut Desk This desk measures: 75 wide x 36 deep x 27.25 high (front); 29.5 high (rear), with a chair clearance of 25.75 inches Restored - Ready to...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Related Items
Jens Risom Mid-Century Walnut Credenza Circa 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid century walnut media cabinet, credenza or dresser by the Danish American designer Jens Risom, circa 1960s. Top three drawers each contain a removalble divider. Bottom three dee...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

Large Mid Century Executive Desk by Gordon Russell
By Gordon Russell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid Century executive desk was produced by Gordon Russell in England during the 1960s. A large, handsome desk with quality construction from teak and chrome it is a stunning exa...
Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Metal

1970s National Mt. Airy Military Campaign Style Executive Desk
By National Mt. Airy
Located in Dallas, TX
Another good looking campaign style piece for your collection! We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage executive desk hand crafted in the Military Campaign style by Mt. Airy, which is one of the higher quality campaign manufacturers. This well-made desk executed out of oakwood which has a lovely warm patina to it, the cuts of timber are lovely with great proportions from any angle. Supporting a rectangular top with a central drawer flanked on either side by a column cabinet with four drawers each having a top and bottom drawer, two of which are double as a filing drawer in the middle offering plenty of storage space. Solid finished back all standing on a plinth base to make it more stable. The brass inset military handles & brass corner brackets are all original and in brass. Signed "National Mt...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Oak

Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom credenza in oiled walnut, features four drawers and one file drawer, two doors with adjustable shelves, finished on the backside, and Stainless...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
$6,600
H 27 in W 78 in D 20 in
Walnut desk with two solid walnut drawers in mid-century modern style
Located in ZIELONA GÓRA, PL
Desk in mid-century style with two drawers and brass handles. The tapered legs are finished with brass plated aluminum feet. Desk made of solid American walnut wood and wood covered ...
Category

2010s European Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Category

19th Century American High Victorian Antique Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Walnut dresser with 8 drawers designed by Jens Risom. Four narrow drawers on left, flanked by wider drawers on right. Top drawer includes brass push button latch and hinges, allows...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Brass

Richard Artschwager Walnut Double Pedestal Executive Desk, Mid-20th Century
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking and refined executive desk by American artist and designer Richard Artschwager, crafted in richly figured walnut. The design features a floating rectangular top supported ...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

Executive Mid-century Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern style executive desk with yellow formica top, metal handles and cane back. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut, Laminate

Executive Mid-century Desk
Executive Mid-century Desk
$2,500
H 29.5 in W 76 in D 34 in
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

1968 Executive Desk
1968 Executive Desk
$6,500
H 30 in W 72 in D 36 in
Arne Vodder Rosewood Executive Desk 207 for Sibast, Denmark, 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking Mid-Century Modern executive desk designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast, Denmark, circa 1960s. Crafted in richly grained rosewood, this substantial piece exemplifies Vodder’s...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Rosewood

John Stuart Mid Century Walnut Large Executive Desk
By John Stuart, Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Bensalem, PA
Jon Stuart desk with lots of storage very solid please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk This desk measures: 78 wide x 36 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 28.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Brass

1960's Mid-Century Danish Modern Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Burbank, CA
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...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

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

American Mid Century rare desk Paper tray by Jens Risom in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant simple design solid walnut dovetail desk tray . designed by Jens Risom very rare a classic piece by a great designer .
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

Newly Refinished-Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Leather Top Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Leather Top Corner Desk This desk measures: 68 wide x 34 deep x 28.25 high, with a chair clearance of 27 inches The total depth of the desk includi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Midcentury Jens Risom Executive Desk - Black Walnut Danish Modern - Circa 1960s
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage mid century modern executive desk by Jens Risom, circa 1960s. Manufactured by his firm, Jens Risom Design and produced during the late 1960s / early 1970s. Features five draw...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Wall Mounted Walnut and Brass Dresser with Fold Out Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, 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

1960s Jens Risom Designs Double Pedestal Executive Desk w/ Wood Pulls in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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...
Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

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

Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk
Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk
H 28.5 in W 68 in D 33.88 in
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut executive desk This desk measures: 81.5 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 25.25 inc...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks

Materials

Walnut

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.
Questions About Jens Risom Desks
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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