Jens Risom Dressers
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 Jens Risk Sideboard / Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Model S-240 bachelor's chests in blonde cerused oak by Jens Risom, likely produced in his NYC workshop c. 1949. This pairwood finishing technique that creates a two-toned look, where...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Oak
$3,562 Sale Price
25% Off
Midcentury American Studio Craft Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful American studio craft Mid-Century Modern long black walnut 8-drawer dresser credenza with all solid Brass curved pull handles. High end Construction with Metal Drawer slide...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Brass
$4,760 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Dressers
Materials
Brass
$3,760 Sale Price
44% Off
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak 6-Drawer Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century dresser with 6 drawers with angled rectangular oak drawer pulls in a blond oak case resting on four tapered legs. (JENS RISOM...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Wood, Oak
Jens Risom Dresser Walnut Ca' 1960's Mid Century
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic dresser by Jens Risom with nice patina, walnut, ca' 1960's. Four drawers with nicely sculpted handles. Unusual base with cutouts.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Mid-century Jens Risom Walnut Eight Drawer Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Oakland, CA
High-quality chest of drawers by Danish designer Jens Risom, made in the USA. This early work features eight drawers, meticulously constructed with mitered corners and metal rails fo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Blond Oak 3-Drawer Chests
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Danish Mid-Century chests / dressers with three drawers with angled wooden drawer pulls in a blond oak case resting on tapered wooden legs....
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Wood, Oak
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser / Writing Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut 8-drawer dresser with four narrow drawers on the left and four wider drawers on the right, the top of which folds down to crea...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser / Writing Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century walnut 8-drawer dresser with four narrow drawers on the left and four wider drawers on the right, the top of which folds down to crea...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Dressers
Materials
Wood, Walnut
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Jens Risom dressers for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom dressers 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 dressers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original dressers by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider dressers by Greta Magnusson Grossman, Ib Kofod-Larsen, and Arne Wahl Iversen. Prices for Jens Risom dressers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,000 and can go as high as $15,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,800.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Dressers
- 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.