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 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
Jens Risom Floating Three-Seat Armless Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seat sofa, Model #U250, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Design in the 1950s. Composed of a sculptural walnut base on which the tufted, high-back seat is mounted. Sharp, modern...
Wool, Walnut
Sofa by Jens Risom for Risom Manufacturing
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A three (3) seat sofa on a teak frame base retaining the original yellow upholstery.
Teak, Upholstery
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bracketed Back Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful and sleek Danish modern sofa. Armless sofa creates numerous possibilities. Teak legs cradle and support in the manner of less is more. Fabric is a wool tweed blend which is...
Teak, Upholstery
Midcentury Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Sofa for Knoll, 1940s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
1940s Jens Risom Model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll in charcoal grey upholstery atop tapered stained birch legs, a class Midcentury Modern design. The high back features a row of butto...
Upholstery, Birch
$9,500
H 30.5 in W 72 in D 28 in
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sofa, Walnut Frame, Striped Fabric, USA
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three seater sofa by Jens Risom for Risom Design Inc, c.1960s USA. Known for his "sensible" approach to design, Risom's work focuses on clean lines and functional beauty. The sofa fe...
Walnut, Textile, Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Loveseat Sofa For Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early Jens Risom model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll is a classic example of Mid-Century Modern design. The fully upholstered sofa features a high back with rounded edges and reces...
Upholstery, Birch
Jens Risom Sofa in Fresh Vanilla Boucle
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Elevate your space with this rare Jens Risom Model 2516 Sculptural Sofa, a mid-century icon celebrated for its graceful curves and impeccable craftsmanship. This piece showcases bea...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Vintage Walnut Sofa Model U-150 by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage walnut sofa designed by the iconic designer Jens Risom in the United States, circa 1950s. Transform your living space with this exquisitely ref...
Fabric, Walnut, Leather
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
American Modern White Ceramic, Brass and Walnut Table Lamp
Located in Oakland, CA
American Modern white ceramic reversed taper body with a turned walnut base and brass hardware. Newly rewired, shade not included. Damage free condition, very slight wear to walnut b...
Brass
Rare Wood Danish Nutcracker & Brass Scandinavian Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Oakland, CA
Modernist, circa 1950s nutcracker in Wenge and brass, a sleek design that fits well into the hand for ease of use. The Wenge has expressive grain and the brass has a soft patina.
Brass
Vintage Japanese Modern Architectural Floor Lamp c1970s
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic vintage modernist Japanese low accent floor lamp c1970s.
Wood
Vintage Japanese Modern Bronze Sandal Sculpture c1960s
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic modernist, solid bronze flip-flop/sandal by unknown Japanese artist c 1960s. Acquired in Japan. Signed by artist, amazing patina throughout. Incredible detail.
Bronze
Vintage Organic Modern Ceramic Table Lamp, USA, c1980s
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous matte white organic modern vintage ceramic table lamp c1980s by unknown Bay Area artist. From the estate of ceramist, Pat Hill. Signed on bottom. **measurements are withou...
Ceramic
T.H Robsjohn Gibbons Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair c1950s
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic fully restored and iconic lounge chair designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbons c1950s. We did this one up with beautiful bouclé fabric.
Bouclé, Cotton, Beech
