Skip to main content

Jens Risom Tray 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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
224
45
36
31
22
Creator: Jens Risom
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Birch and Light Gray Laminate Serving Table
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Birch and Light Gray Laminate Serving Table

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Birch and Light Gray Laminate Serving Table

$3,950

Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Birch and Light Gray Laminate Serving Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century two-tier serving table with a birch frame, light gray laminate shelf surfaces, and a removable tray top. (JENS RISOM) Missing casters.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Related Items
Mid Century Extension Dining Table by Jens Risom
Mid Century Extension Dining Table by Jens Risom

Mid Century Extension Dining Table by Jens Risom

$4,500

H 27 in W 48 in D 48 in

Mid Century Extension Dining Table by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in New York, NY

Rare mid century extension dining table with three leaves. The table features four tapering legs with architectural and stylized stretchers which radiate down from the center. The ...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Rectangular Side Table with Walnut Base and White Laminate Top
Jens Risom Rectangular Side Table with Walnut Base and White Laminate Top

Jens Risom Rectangular Side Table with Walnut Base and White Laminate Top

$600

H 15.75 in W 32 in D 23.88 in

Jens Risom Rectangular Side Table with Walnut Base and White Laminate Top

By Jens Risom

Located in Chicago, IL

This rectangular side table by Jens Risom has a walnut base and a white laminate surface. The legs are cleverly inset, giving the top a floating quality and an overall jauntiness to ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Mid-Century Jen Risom Walnut Coffee Table
Mid-Century Jen Risom Walnut Coffee Table

Mid-Century Jen Risom Walnut Coffee Table

$2,220

H 15 in Dm 40 in

Mid-Century Jen Risom Walnut Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Pasadena, TX

40? Mid-century Jen Rison walnut coffee table. Jens Risom coffee table in walnut laminate. Round top with square sculptural base. Original Jens Risom D...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Coffee Table
Jens Risom Mid Century Coffee Table

Jens Risom Mid Century Coffee Table

$1,595

H 16 in W 32 in D 32 in

Jens Risom Mid Century Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom mid century coffee table. Coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table
1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table

1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table

$850

H 23 in W 25 in D 25 in

1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Listed for sale is an original walnut and white laminate side / end table, designed by Jens Risom and produced by Jens Risom Design Inc circa 1960s. This is a classic example of Riso...

Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

$2,987

H 15 in W 72 in D 21 in

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Tulsa, OK

Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Table has been refinished and doea have s...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Walnut and Laminate Coffee Table
Jens Risom Walnut and Laminate Coffee Table

Jens Risom Walnut and Laminate Coffee Table

$1,150

H 16 in W 30.25 in D 30.25 in

Jens Risom Walnut and Laminate Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in Asbury Park, NJ

Versatile square coffee or cocktail table by Jens Risom, with straight, turned walnut legs, squared stretchers and a floating white laminate top.

Category

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

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Tray Table
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Tray Table

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Tray Table

$450Sale Price|30% Off

H 17.72 in Dm 19.69 in

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Tray Table

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Søborg, DK

Elegant and beautiful vintage teak folding tray table from the 1960s.

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
Mid-Century Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

Mid-Century Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

$975

H 20 in W 32 in D 32 in

Mid-Century Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table

By Jens Risom

Located in San Francisco, CA

Classic mid-century coffee table by Danish-born designer Jens Risom. Composed of solid walnut wood, 32" W x 32" D x 20" H Perfect for home or office!

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut

1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"
1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"

1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"

$1,800

H 21 in W 32 in D 32 in

1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"

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 Tray Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

HMN Mid Century Danish Teak Adjustable Tray Table
HMN Mid Century Danish Teak Adjustable Tray Table

HMN Mid Century Danish Teak Adjustable Tray Table

$1,295

H 29.25 in W 43.25 in D 14.5 in

HMN Mid Century Danish Teak Adjustable Tray Table

By HMN Denmark

Located in Franklin Park, IL

HMN Mid Century Danish Teak Adjustable Tray Table This tray table measures: 43.25 wide x 14.5 deep x 29.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as...

Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Tray Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Jens Risom tray tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Jens Risom tray tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original tray tables by Jens Risom were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. Prices for Jens Risom tray tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,950 and can go as high as $3,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,950.

Creators Similar to Jens Risom

Svend Langkilde
Shop All Svend Langkilde Tray Tables
Fritz Hansen
Shop All Fritz Hansen Tray Tables
Hans J. Wegner
Shop All Hans J. Wegner Tray Tables
Questions About Jens Risom Tray 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.