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.
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 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 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 - 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
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
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
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
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
DWR Bantam 84" Sofa, Walnut & Upholstery, Mid-Century Modern, USA
By Design Within Reach
Located in Philadelphia, PA
DWR Design Within Reach Bantam 84" Sofa. Like new condition! One very small hole on underside of cushion! See Photo. Very clean was in the living room of a second home not often ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Even Arm Sofa Model 4907A/ Brass Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 108" long, 4 back Cushions Sofa with the desirable Brass Legs! Often described as the most beautiful sofa of it's time! Design is still classic and timele...
Brass
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery, circa 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery - Extra Long "you pick the fabric / make it your own" "current fabric is not the original fabric" "current fabric...
Upholstery
Hans Wegner GE-240 Sofa by GETAMA, Oak & Teak, Scandinavian Modern
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hans Wegner for GETAMA GE-240 3 seat sofa. Oak body with teak arms. Redone about 13 years ago but retaining it's original inner coil springs. Looks like arms were refinished at some...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Ploum Sofa by Ligne Roset, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Ligne Roset
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ploum Sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset. Ultra Comfy epitome of comfort! Form and Function United! Companion Loveseat available in a separate listing.
Upholstery
Sculptural Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sculptural Staved Teak Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk circa, 1960 "marked on the underside" "nice wood grain and finish" "felt pads added to bottom" "oiled with food grade miner...
Teak
