Modernist Letter Tray by Jens Risom
View Similar Items
Modernist Letter Tray by Jens Risom
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 11.13 in (28.28 cm)Depth: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92201602742
Jens Risom
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.
- Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960By Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- TOYO Modernist Ceramic Ikebana Vase, Japan, c.1960By ToyoLocated in Costa Mesa, CATOYO Modernist Ceramic Ikebana Vase, Japan, c.1960. Retains the original TOYO label to the bottom.Category
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Richard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, c.1965By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company, Richard BarrLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, United States, c.1965. Beautiful torch cut and welded brutalist form. Measures: - 13" Deep - 14" Wide -...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Steel, Copper
- 'Disneyland Destruction' by Jeff GilleteBy Jeff GilleteLocated in Costa Mesa, CA'Disneyland Destruction' by Jeff Gillete circa 2015. Acrylic and collage on canvas.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic, Wood
- Tim Keenan Ceramic VaseBy Tim KeenanLocated in Costa Mesa, CATim Keenan ceramic vase, 2022.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Tim Keenan Ceramic VaseBy Tim KeenanLocated in Costa Mesa, CATim Keenan ceramic vase, 2022.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg DenmarkBy Frantz Hingelberg, Jens RisomLocated in Philadelphia, PARosewood letter opener from the office of Jens Risom marked with the Jens Risom "R" and also marked Franz Hingelberg - Denmark very rare collectors item - have not been able ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsRosewood
- Modernist Bauhaus Wood Letter TraysLocated in San Diego, CAA pair of wood letter trays. A simple and functional design in the spirit of Bauhaus. Nice construction with finger joinery.Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Bauhaus Desk Sets
MaterialsWood
- Modernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980'sBy Peter Pepper Products, Stow Davis, KnollLocated in Costa Mesa, CAModernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980's.Category
20th Century Post-Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsOak
$180 Sale Price20% Off - American Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Letter Desk TrayBy KnollLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible midcentury letter tray in solid walnut. Great lines and construction rounded corners with dove tail joinery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsWalnut
- Desk Accessories, Letter Holder by Jacques Adnet and Letter Tray Paper HolderBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Auribeau sur Siagne, FRHandsome saddle leather letter holder by Jacques Adnet. Signature contrast stitching. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Paris...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsLeather
- Midcentury Double Letter Tray by Peter Pepper ProductsBy Peter Pepper ProductsLocated in San Diego, CAVery cool and functional double letter tray by Peter Pepper Products, circa 1970s. The trays are made of solid oak with aluminum dividers. The set is in very good condition and would...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsAluminum