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.
Mid-Century Modern American Walnut & Brass Modernist Paper Desk Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Double letter tray in walnut with brass accents , circa 1950s freshly refinished, Very nice accent to any executives desk! California design.
Brass
Knoll Vintage Bentwood Walnut Desk Inbox Tray
Located in Kensington, MD
Appropriately labeled on bottom. Produced by Knoll Associates, Inc.
Bentwood, Walnut
Rainbow Wood Products Two-Tier Teak Paper Tray, Mid-Century Modern
By House of Rainbow Wood Products Inc.
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully crafted two-tier paper tray produced by Rainbow Wood Products, showcasing the clean lines and warm organic materials characteristic of mid-century modern desk accessori...
Teak
$475
H 8 in W 13.75 in D 11 in
Vintage American Walnut 2-Tier Desk Organizer / Paper Tray by Shield Industries
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural and highly functional two-tier desk organizer crafted from genuine American walnut by Shield Industries, a California maker known for clean-lined, modernist desk accesso...
Walnut
$275
H 17.25 in W 11.5 in D 2.25 in
Post-Modern Solid Teak Danish Style Desk Tray "6500" Series by Eldon
By Dansk, Jim Eldon
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-Modern solid teak Danish style desk tray "6500" Series by Eldon, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures approximately 11.5"W x 2.25"D x 17.25"L. The tray is heavy, solid teak and is marked with the Eldon "Woodline 6500...
Teak
MCM Walnut and Naugahyde Double Letter Tray by OPCO
By Opco Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and functional MCM walnut and nauhgahyde double letter tray by OPCO, circa 1970s. The tray is in very good vintage condition and measures 15.5"W x 10.25"D x 6.5"H and would...
Naugahyde, Walnut
$575
H 6.25 in W 23.5 in D 8.5 in
Danish Modern Desk Organizer Letter Tray in Teak by Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern teak desk organizer or letter tray by Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, circa 1970s. The piece is in excellent condition and measures 23.5" wide, 8.5." deep ...
Teak
Danish Teak Serving Tray by Digsmed
By Digsmed
Located in New York, NY
Teak serving tray with border by Digsmed, Denmark, circa 1960. Signed. Dimensions: 22.5 inches L x 8.5 inches W
Teak
Georg Petersens Mid Century Teak Desk Organizer Denmark
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A teak top of the desk organizer with four letter slots , two storage cubies and an open top shelve . This well designed accessory is the perfect piece for easy access to your papers...
Teak
Large Tray in Teak, 1960's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large Tray in Teak, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Probably produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 63 x 15.5 x 3 cm Condition: Go...
Teak
