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.
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 84 in D 32 in
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
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 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 Sofa for Marble c. 1970s
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
This sofa has been fully refinished, features new foam, and has been reupholstered in Maharam “Hearth” fabric - it feature a solid, white oak frame that has been steam-bent. There ar...
Fabric, Oak
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 78.25 wide x 32.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15.75 and arm height of 24 inches Good Vintage Condition - ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Faintly Striped Red Upholstered Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century sofa with angled arms, curved back, and faintly striped red and orange upholstery with button tufted detail, resting on a walnut base with four tapered square legs...
Fabric
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sofa - Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sofa - Pair Each sofa measures: 78.25 wide x 32.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15.75 and arm height of 24 inches Good Vintage Condi...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Loveseat Sofa For Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sled Leg Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Sled Leg Sofa This sofa measures: 85 wide x 32 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height of 21 inches...
Upholstery, Walnut
Scandinavian Cabinet Maker Banana Sofa, Original Striped Fabric, 1960s Denmark
By Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Round Rock, TX
This cabinetmaker sofa embodies the elegance of 20th-century design. Its sculptural banana form curves with inviting form, while the original striped fabric brings a rhythm of red an...
Fabric
Stunning De Sede DS-101 Reclining Sofa in a Neutral Butter-tone Leather
By De Sede
Located in Round Rock, TX
This De Sede DS-101 three-seat sofa is designed for uncompromising comfort. Each section reclines individually, creating a customizable lounge experience that has made the model a ...
Leather
Tue Poulsen Ceramic Tile Coffee Table in Wenge, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Tue Poulsen
Located in Round Rock, TX
Lovely and uncommon coffee table executed with stoneware ceramic tiles and wegne frame. Made in the 1960s, designed by artist Tue Poulsen & Designer Erik Wortz for Willy Beck in Den...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Wenge
Mid Century Modern Cabinet in Oak, Hand carved by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1950s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Danish Hand-Carved Oak Cabinet, Denmark, Mid-20th Century This exceptional Danish cabinet is crafted from solid oak and distinguished by its deeply hand-carved façade. The front pan...
Oak
Brazilian Rosewood Sideboard, Poul Nørreklit for Georg Petersens, 1960s, Denmark
By Poul Nørreklit
Located in Round Rock, TX
Poul Nørreklit for Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik Brazilian Rosewood Sideboard / Cabinet Denmark, 1960s Designed by Poul Nørreklit and manufactured by Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, this...
Rosewood
Danish Oak Dining Chairs in Manner of Henning Kjaernulf - Set of 6 c. 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Round Rock, TX
Set of 6 Danish oak dining chairs in the manner of Henning Kjaernulf with original, wool Olmerdug upholstery in a deep red/maroon tone with stripes of olive green and black. Uphols...
Upholstery, Oak
