Jens Risom Bookcase with Drawers
View Similar Items
Jens Risom Bookcase with Drawers
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Manufacturer, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 57 in (144.78 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. several marks and scratches, some stains to finish.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU81978045143
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 Rectangular Side Table with Walnut Base and White Laminate TopBy Jens RisomLocated in Chicago, ILThis rectangular side table by Jens Risom has a walnut base and a white laminate surface. The legs are cleverly inset, giving the top a floating quality and an overall jauntiness to ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
- Teak Three-Tier Server Portable Dessert Cake Stand With Ring Handle Tripod LegsLocated in Chicago, ILThis three tier, teak tripod dessert server / stand has a Scandinavian modern style, a tripod construction for stability, and a ring handle for portability. Its country of origin is ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- Alvar Aalto Mahogany Desk for Artek with Drawers and Pull Out Work SurfacesBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Chicago, ILThe model #500 mahogany desk designed by Alvar Aalto, made in Sweden for Artek, Finland. Six drawers with two pull-out work surface boards. A nice example...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsMahogany
- Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods Palisander Bow Tie Shaped Tray RosewoodBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in Chicago, ILTripart rosewood tray in the form of an elongated bow tie, designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. The bow tie shape is repeated on the tray as little inlaid pieces running perpendicu...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPalisander
- Rectangular Giltwood Wall Mirror with Arched TopLocated in Chicago, ILThe arched top provides a pleasing variation to the standard rectangular form of this giltwood wall mirror. The deep frame gives a subtle shadowbox effect.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Giltwood
- Giltwood Wall Mirror with Interlocking Double Oval DesignLocated in Chicago, ILThis elegant, giltwood wall mirror has a design of two interlocking ovals. The frames are deep, with a refined curve to the profile.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsGiltwood, Mirror
- Jens Risom Walnut Bookcase ShelvingBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom walnut bookcase shelving Bookcase measures: 22.5 wide x 15 deep x 44 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWalnut
- Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Bookcases - PairBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Bookcases - Pair Each bookcase measures: 36 wide x 10 deep x 84 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWalnut
- Branco e Preto Jacaranda Bookcase with Drawers, Luiz Pássaro, Brazil, 1950sBy Branco & Preto, Luiz PássaroLocated in Brooklyn, NYBranco and Preto Jacaranda Bookcase with inset drawers, Brazilian Modern, 1960s. Brazilian mid-century modern bookcase in lacquered jacaranda wood and produced by furniture manufacturer Branco and Preto, with double cabinet doors and two inset raised drawers. Designed in a rational and geometric way, Branco and Preto designs have an open, elegant and preternaturally fresh appearance. 92" H x 40" W x 13.75" D. Made by Luiz Pássaro...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsJacaranda, Mahogany
- Branco e Preto Jacaranda Bookcase Pair with Drawers, Luiz Pássaro, Brazil, 1950sBy Branco & Preto, Luiz PássaroLocated in Brooklyn, NYBranco and Preto Jacaranda Bookcase with inset drawers, Brazilian Modern, 1960s. Brazilian mid-century modern bookcase in lacquered jacaranda wood and produced by furniture manufacturer Branco and Preto, with double cabinet doors and two inset raised drawers. Designed in a rational and geometric way, Branco and Preto designs have an open, elegant and preternaturally fresh appearance. Labelled. 92" H x 40" W x 13.75" D. About Branco e Preto...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsJacaranda
$14,100 Sale Price / set50% Off - Stunning Maple & Co Oak Victorian Library Bookcase with Drawers Stamped Serial NBy Maple & Co.Located in GBWimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale lovely solid English oak Maple & Co stamped Library bookcase with height adjustable shelves Please note the d...Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases
MaterialsOak
- Four Door Bookcase with Four Drawers, Baroque Inspiration by Modenese GastoneBy Modenese GastoneLocated in PADOVA, ItalyGive a new fresh look to your house with this four-door bookcase featuring four drawers with Blumotion soft-closing system and three crystal shelves for each door. The baroque insp...Category
2010s Italian Baroque Bookcases
MaterialsGold Leaf, Silver Leaf