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.
H 16.5 in W 48 in D 19.5 in
Jens Risom Floating Bench Model T621
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Jens Risom Bench An iconic form Re-upholstered in Boucle Fabric Original label present.
Walnut
H 15 in W 96 in D 21 in
Jens Risom Custom Eight Foot Walnut Table/ Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Highland, IN
This spectacular eight foot long table or bench by Jens Risom is not only a beautiful design with it's architectural base with tapered legs and a top that appears to float, it is hig...
Walnut, Leather
H 16.5 in W 41.25 in D 18.25 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Bench This bench measures: 41.25 wide x 18.25 deep x 16.5 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 16.5 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Walnut Legs are in...
Upholstery, Wood
H 17 in W 18 in D 48 in
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Southwestern Pattern Upholstery and Wood Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century rectangular floating bench with a banded Southwestern blue and green patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).
Wood
H 29 in W 79 in D 29 in
Jens Risom Floating Sofa, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Raleigh, NC
Danish modern design at its finest. New leather to this floating sofa by Jens Risom. Dating to the 1960s with beautiful sculpted lines and walnut base....
Leather, Walnut
H 17 in W 19.5 in D 48 in
Jens Risom Multi-Colored Geometric Pattern Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a geometrically patterned blue, green, and orange fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
H 16.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Jens Risom Danish Army Green Fabric Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with a green fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
H 17 in W 73 in D 18.5 in
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in light gray woven fabric with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
H 18 in W 70 in D 16 in
Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice solid walnut bench or coffee table by Risom.
H 16 in W 48 in D 18.5 in
Jens Risom Danish Off-White Shou Patterned Upholstery and Wood Floating Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular floating bench with an off-white Shou-patterned fabric upholstered seat resting on a wooden floating frame base. (JENS RISOM).
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...
Maple
Jens Risom Upholstered Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A comfortable and stylish Jens Risom upholstered armchair, circa 1950s. Rare design with original early label still intact.
Upholstery
Classic Jens Risom Three Seat Sofa Ca' 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic three seat sofa by Jens Risom, ca' 1960's. Sculpted and recessed walnut base, model #2516. Freshly reupholstered and ready to be enjoyed for many years. The cushions are re...
Upholstery, Walnut
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.
Walnut
Unique William Hinn Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A unique and one off bench designed by William Hinn (provenance available from his granddaughter). Crescent shaped-one end is straight and the other curve...
Mahogany
Long Bermuda Bench By Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Classic and elegant "Bermuda" bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. This is the hard to find long version. Reupholstered in patinated leather with brass nail heads.
Leather, Mahogany
