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Jens Risom Tables

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 Danish Mid-Century Walnut Coffee / Cocktail Table with Magazine Rack
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Coffee / Cocktail Table with Magazine Rack

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Coffee / Cocktail Table with Magazine Rack

$7,800

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Coffee / Cocktail Table with Magazine Rack

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a rectangular top with tapered edges and a rectangular cutout on one side resting on a stretcher base with built-in magazine rack and four...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Circular Wooden Lazy Susan End / Side Table
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Circular Wooden Lazy Susan End / Side Table

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Circular Wooden Lazy Susan End / Side Table

$5,900

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Circular Wooden Lazy Susan End / Side Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish mid-century end / side table with a revolving circular wooden top with a shallow lip, resting on four square tapered wooden legs. (Jens Risom).   

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood

Early Jens Risom Low Profile Walnut Coffee Table, circa 1948
Early Jens Risom Low Profile Walnut Coffee Table, circa 1948

Early Jens Risom Low Profile Walnut Coffee Table, circa 1948

$3,250

Early Jens Risom Low Profile Walnut Coffee Table, circa 1948

By Jens Risom

Located in Saint Louis, MO

Danish modern design is predominantly known for two features - sculptural design and quality construction meant to last and last. And this early Jens Risom table...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom End Table With Rotating Top And Insert Ca' 1960's
Jens Risom End Table With Rotating Top And Insert Ca' 1960's

Jens Risom End Table With Rotating Top And Insert Ca' 1960's

$2,500

Jens Risom End Table With Rotating Top And Insert Ca' 1960's

By Jens Risom

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A classic Jens Risom side table with rotating top and an aluminium insert. Made of walnut ca '1960's, this is a very uncommon design.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Kidney-Shaped Beige Mica and Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table
Jens Risom Danish Kidney-Shaped Beige Mica and Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table

Jens Risom Danish Kidney-Shaped Beige Mica and Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table

$4,800

Jens Risom Danish Kidney-Shaped Beige Mica and Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century coffee / cocktail table with a kidney-shaped table top with a beige marbled mica veneer resting on a walnut base with a cruciform stretcher and angled legs. (JENS ...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Wooden Cutout Circular Lazy Susan End / Side Table
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Wooden Cutout Circular Lazy Susan End / Side Table

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Wooden Cutout Circular Lazy Susan End / Side Table

$5,900

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Wooden Cutout Circular Lazy Susan End / Side Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century lazy susan end / side table with a rotating circular top with an off-center circular cutout supported by four tapered square wooden legs. (JENS RISOM) Minor wear ...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood

1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood
1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood

1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood

$1,250

1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood

By Jens Risom

Located in Miami, FL

Offered is a large square side/corner/coffee table in Walnut wood made in the 1960s by iconic Mid 20th Century designer Jens Risom. It features a solid base and square slab top fused...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Walnut

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top
1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top

$900

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top

By Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Jens Risom Walnut Side Table, designed by Jens Risom in 1950 and produced by his company, Jens Risom Design Inc., in the 1960s. The Table's design is composed of a floating...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Walnut, Laminate

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves

$4,595

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches, each leaf...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves

$5,195

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 60 wide x 35.75 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches, each...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Oak and Light Gray Laminate Serving Trolley
Jens Risom Danish Oak and Light Gray Laminate Serving Trolley

Jens Risom Danish Oak and Light Gray Laminate Serving Trolley

$3,950

Jens Risom Danish Oak and Light Gray Laminate Serving Trolley

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century two-tier serving trolley with an oak frame, light gray laminate shelf surfaces, and a removable tray top, resting on four casters. (JENS RISOM)

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood, Laminate, Oak

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table
Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table

$6,900

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

American/Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a gently diamond-shaped top resting on a structured stretcher base with four tapered legs and stretcher shelf with caned inset...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"
1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"

1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"

$2,500

1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"

By Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a side table, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1960s. The design is...

Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Black Vinyl Coffee Table
Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Black Vinyl Coffee Table

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Black Vinyl Coffee Table

$6,900

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Black Vinyl Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

American/Danish Mid-Century walnut coffee table with a gently diamond-shaped top resting on a structured stretcher base with four tapered legs and stretcher shelf made of stretched b...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia
Magazine Side Table M6500 in Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

$1,157 / item

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

By Jens Risom, Fredericia

Located in Dubai, AE

Designed in 1949, the Magazine Table is a great example of Danish-American designer Jens Risom’s stylish and innovative approach to modern design. The dynamic side table with its ic...

Category

2010s Latvian Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Oak

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Dining Table with Two Leaves 40" x 72.5"
1960s Jens Risom Walnut Dining Table with Two Leaves 40" x 72.5"

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Dining Table with Two Leaves 40" x 72.5"

$5,000

1960s Jens Risom Walnut Dining Table with Two Leaves 40" x 72.5"

By Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Rectangular Dining Table in Walnut with two removable leaves, designed by Jens Risom in 1949 for his company Jens Risom Design. This example dates to the 1960s. The walnut ...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Steel

Modernist Side Table, Walnut and Laminate, Designed by Jens Risom
Modernist Side Table, Walnut and Laminate, Designed by Jens Risom

Modernist Side Table, Walnut and Laminate, Designed by Jens Risom

$1,450

Modernist Side Table, Walnut and Laminate, Designed by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Buffalo, NY

Modernist side table, walnut and laminate designed by Jens Risom, simple, elegant design, retains original Jens Risom Design Inc. label.

Category

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

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia
Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

$1,157 / item

Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia

By Jens Risom, Fredericia

Located in Dubai, AE

Designed in 1949, the Magazine Table is a great example of Danish-American designer Jens Risom’s stylish and innovative approach to modern design. The dynamic side table with its ic...

Category

2010s Latvian Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Tables

Materials

Oak

Jens Risom tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 81 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original tables by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Charles and Ray Eames, Brown Saltman, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for Jens Risom tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $9,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,800.

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Questions About Jens Risom Tables
  • 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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