Jens Risom Side Chair in original condition, c. 1940
View Similar Items
Jens Risom Side Chair in original condition, c. 1940
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU843036952742
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 Risom Style BenchBy Jens RisomLocated in Philadelphia, PAJens Risom Style 55" long Bench. Newly upholstered and walnut base refinished. Beautiful Floating Design!Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$2,650 - Jens Risom Solid Walnut and Brass Round Side TableBy Jens RisomLocated in Philadelphia, PAJens Risom Solid Walnut Side Table with a Brass Dish set into top for either plants or items not to roll away! Small lip also keeps things on the surface! Table came as a revolving...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Allan Gould All Original String ChairBy Functional Furniture, Allan GouldLocated in Philadelphia, PAAllan Gould string chair. Very nice all original example. Cotton rope or string shows typical wear and stains in a few areas as would be expec...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Saarinen for Knoll Executive Side/ Dining ChairsBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Philadelphia, PASet of 8 Eero Saarinen Side Dining Chairs for Knoll. This set dates to 2009. Red velvet material in very nice condition! Chrome is clean as well! Chair ready to go! One of the most comfortable chairs out there! I use these around my dining table!Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$4,716 Sale Price / set20% Off - Jens Quistgaard Dansk Brass CandlesticksBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Philadelphia, PAJens Quistgaard Solid Brass Candlesticks with fitted rings to allow for 2 sizes of candles. Nice Original condition, signed on bottom.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
$345 / set
- Jens Risom C275 Side Chair in OakBy Jens Risom, BENCHMARKLocated in Saffron Walden, GBThe C275 side chair was designed in 1957 and first appeared in the Jens Risom Design ‘Contemporary Furniture Catalog Supplement’ of that year. The piece is offered with an oak frame, a laminated oak back and a choice of upholstery options. In 2010, English furniture maker benchmark, in collaboration with Jens Risom and Rocket, secured the European rights to reissue Risom’s 1950s and 1960s furniture...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Early Jens Risom Side Chair for KnollBy Jens RisomLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned for Knoll by Jens Risom in 1943. Basket-woven parachute straps.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBirch, Canvas
- Four Restored Jens Risom Dining Side ChairsBy Jens RisomLocated in Pasadena, TXFour Vintage Side Arm Chairs Set New upholstery in gray microfiber Wood frame and legsCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsOak
$2,400 / set - Original Vintage Jens Risom Chairs in Green Suede w/ Label, PAIRBy Jens RisomLocated in East Hampton, NYWonderful authentic labelled vintage Jens Risom chairs in Walnut frame and upholstered in a sumptuous Rolex green suede. The walnut frame has been lovingly refinished to its origina...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSuede, Walnut
- Pair of Jens Risom 666 Side Chairs for KnollBy Jens Risom, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CARare Jens Risom chairs made in the 1940s, model “666” of the 600 series from 1941.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBirch
$2,250 / set - Set of Walnut Side Chairs by Jens Risom in Natural Mohair, C. 1950sBy Jens RisomLocated in Westport, CTAn exquisite pair of mid-century modern side hairs designed by Jens Risom, crafted circa 1960-1969. Meticulously restored, the walnut framework shines with renewed beauty, complement...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Walnut
