Jens Risom Desks and Writing 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
1960s Mid Century Wood and Laminate Desk by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern desk by Jens Risom and circa 1960 has a classic Danish modern design with clean, minimalist, geometric lines. The desk is well-crafted heavy, and feat...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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 and Writing Tables
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 and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vladimir Kagan Rosewood and Aluminum Desk/Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Amazing 1970s Brazilian Rosewood with aluminum stretcher desk with glass top, it can also be use as a dining table with a larger piece of glass, in vint...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Jens Risom Solid Wood Desk, Denmark, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Utrecht, NL
Jens Risom: wood desk, manufactured by Risom Design. 1960s.
This nicely shaped Jens Risom desk has a well sized desktop, two drawer units with drawers and a pull-out leaf with glass top on each side. An internal lock allows you to lock the drawers with a key. The black steel drawer handles are mounted onto chrome rings and have a minimal design. The desk has cylindrical legs and refined adjustable feet. The back legs are a bit detached from the drawers which give the desk an open look to what otherwise would have been a quite solid / closed desk. The wood of the desk has a wonderful grain, that has come out beautifully over the years. It was manufactured by Risom Designi in the 1960s.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor marks and scratches. One key is enclosed. Some drawers don’t come out totally fluid. Manufactured by Risom Design.
Dimensions:
66.93 in. W x 35.44 in. D x 28.75 in. H
170 cm W x 90 cm D x 73 cm H
Shipping:
This solid wood desk...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Large Jens Risom Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Large vintage Jens Risom solid walnut desk. Has a single pull-out drawer. Desk has a glass top. Great for an office or home.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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 and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Walnut
Customized Mid-Century Modern Desk by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern L-shaped designed desk by Danish-American furniture designer Jens Risom. Teak wood with an under right side connected extension.
Customized by French artist Fabie...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin, Lacquer, Teak
Jens Risom Desk Produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark
By Jens Risom
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare large executive desk designed by Jens Risom. Produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
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1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Writing Desk by Henredon
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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...
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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.
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VK201 Rosewood Dining Table by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1958, Signed
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and important model #VK-201 sculptured Rosewood and Walnut 'Round Extension Dining Table' by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss was designed in 1958, this example produced between 1958 and 1960, during Kagan's partnership with Hugo Dreyfuss which ended in 1960. This rare example is stamped with the Kagan-Dreyfuss branded marks on the underside of the table and under one of the two leaves, and serves as an important early example of this sought-after design, perfect for collectors, art and design investors, and interior designers working on high profile projects.
This Model VK-201, described in Kagan's early catalogues as a 'Round Extension Dining Table in walnut with rosewood top' has Kagan's signature gorgeous sculpted legs in solid walnut along with a magnificent vivid-grained Rosewood top. Just look at the closeup photos of the sculpted edges and tailored legs... this table looks more like a sculpture than merely just furniture. Quality of materials and craftsmanship you don't find in todays products - this table is the epitome of the saying 'they don't make them like they used to'.
Ultra refinement in this gorgeous collectors piece which extends from a dining or card / game / cafe table seating for four, to a larger dining or meeting table suitable for eight. With no leaves - the table is 48" round and with both leaves extends to 96" while retaining a very nice 48" width.
Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s partnership with Hugo Dreyfuss (Kagan-Dreyfuss from 1950 to 1960) are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company...
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H 28.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Rustic Solid Teak Desk / Table, France 1960s
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We offer a variety of insured shipping services, ask us for the possibilities and competitive pricing.
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Previously Available Items
Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk with Return Circa 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Peabody, MA
Large mid-century executive desk in walnut by Jens Risom, circa 1960s with storage drawers and a pull-out writing surface to left of sitter with glass insert. Desk includes a return...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Jens Risom Executive Walnut Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American walnut executive desk designed by Jens Risom with four drawers on the right, one drawer in the middle, and one drawer and a filing drawer on the left. Both sides have writing pull out slides...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, 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...
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Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut writing desk by Jens Risom and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a conserv...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury walnut and brass executive desk.
This desk measures: 81.25 wide x 36 deep x 28 high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk with File Cabinet Drawer by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century American Modern single pedestal executive desk in walnut by Jens Risom (ca. 1960, USA).
Features a pull-out writing surface with glass top above a drawer with a laminate surface flanked by a solid walnut divider atop a corresponding filing cabinet drawer...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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H 28.5 in W 69.38 in D 37 in
Rare and Early White Oak Mid-Century Modern Desk Labeled Risom Design circa 19
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Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare and early white oak Mid-Century Modern five drawer desk labeled Risom Design circa 1950. Possibly from the early Risom NYC workshop.
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H 29.75 in W 54 in D 28.75 in
Jens Risom Mid-Century Executive Desk, Circa 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Peabody, MA
An executive desk in highly figured walnut -- resembling rosewood-- with two shallow flanking drawers, and two draw-out writing returns by Jens Risom, ca. 1960s. Desk top height slightly tapers from back to front (like a subtle drafting desk), measures 29.75" high at back legs, 27.75" high at front legs, writing surface height at front is 27.25".
A matching credenza...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Jen Risom Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American walnut executive desk design by Jens Risom with four drawers on the right, one drawer in the middle, & one drawer and a filing drawer on the left. Both sides have writing pu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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Walnut
Handsome Mid-Century Modern Walnut Jens Risom Desk Table Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom
Located in Pemberton, NJ
If you are looking for an icon of Mid-Century Modern – Scandinavian Modern design, look no further. And if you are wanting a beautiful and functional desk for your home or office, lo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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Walnut
H 28 in W 74.25 in D 36 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Double Sided Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom mid century walnut double sided executive desk
Desk measures: 81.25 wide x 36 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 25.25 inches
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
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Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut L Shaped Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom mid century walnut L shaped corner desk
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Jens Risom desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom desks and writing 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 desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables 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 and writing tables by Florence Knoll, Harvey Probber, and Henredon. Prices for Jens Risom desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,500 and can go as high as $8,086, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,595.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Desks and Writing Tables
- 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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