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 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
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
$10,100
H 31 in W 68 in D 25 in
3 Seat Sofa in Solid Walnut Styled After Jens Risom for Risoms Designs Inc., USA
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
A limited release by ABT Modern inspired by the designs of Jens Risom for Risom Design, Inc. The Bel Riposo is constructed from hand-selected African wa...
Walnut
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 89.38 in D 31.5 in
Three-Seat Jens Risom Sofa for Risom Design Inc multicolored fabric with stripes
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
This Jens Risom sofa for Risom Design Inc. is in good condition. The solid walnut frame has been oiled and is in vintage condition with normal wear with age (slight imperfections). T...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Jens Risom, Walnut Frame, 1955
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States. Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
$5,800
H 31 in W 63.5 in D 28 in
C. 1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Associates Three-Seater Sofa/Settee w/ New Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a three-seater settee, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates in 1941. The piece has a frame constructed of pine (or possibly birch), and has newly re-done webbed straps...
Copper
$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
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
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
