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.
H 31.5 in W 72 in D 21 in
Walnut Dresser by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, c.1960s, USA. This eight drawer walnut dresser features two narrow top drawers and six larger drawers below. One of the narrow drawers has a fold down drawer ...
Walnut
H 29 in W 36.5 in D 20.25 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 2 Door Cabinet Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 2 Door Cabinet Credenza This credenza measures: 36.5 wide x 20.25 deep x 29 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Minor Stain Wear and Scratches on Top...
Walnut
H 32 in W 72 in D 21 in
Fully Restored Jens Risom Walnut & Brass 8-Drawer Cabinet or Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Danish design icon Jens Risom, this super rare model was made in the USA by his own company: Jens Risom Design Inc. This cabinet rarely comes up for sale, especially in t...
Brass
H 24 in W 36 in D 21 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Wall Mounted Cabinet Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 24 inches high We take our photos in a controlled ...
Brass
H 31.25 in W 36.25 in D 21 in
1970s Jens Risom Design 36 inch Cabinet / Dresser in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Cabinet / Dresser, designed by Jens Risom and produced by his company, Jens Risom Designs. It was handcrafted in the USA in the 1970s. It has a beautifully grained w...
Bronze
H 32 in W 36 in D 21 in
Jens Risom Walnut Chest of Drawers, With Three Frieze Drawers on Tapered Legs
By Jens Risom
Located in Astoria, NY
Jens Risom Walnut Chest of Drawers, with three frieze drawers on four tapered legs, "Jens Risom Design, Inc." label to reverse. 32" H x 36" W x 21" D. Provenance: From a 5th Avenue...
Walnut
H 27 in W 54.25 in D 20.25 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 9-Drawer Dresser Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 9-Drawer Dresser Credenza This credenza measures: 54.25 wide x 20.25 deep x 27 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Scratches on Top Surface. Credenza...
Walnut
H 31.75 in W 21.25 in D 36.25 in
1960s Jens Risom Designs 2-Door Cabinet / Credenza in Walnut, Small
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a walnut two-door cabinet, designed by Jens Risom and produced by his company, Jens Risom Designs. It was handcrafted in the USA in the 1960s. It has a beautifully grained wa...
Walnut
H 27 in W 78 in D 20 in
Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom credenza in oiled walnut, features four drawers and one file drawer, two doors with adjustable shelves, finished on the backside, and Stainless...
Stainless Steel
H 27.5 in W 72 in D 20.25 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 72 wide x 20.25 deep x 27.5 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Minor Wear and Scratches on Top Credenza Surface. D...
Walnut
Expertly Restored- Stanley Young Walnut 6-Drawer Dresser for Glenn of California
By Stanley Young, Glenn of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful six drawer dresser designed by Stanley Young for Glenn of California in the United States circa 1950’s. Like many of Young’s creations, this exceptional dresser features ...
Steel
Expertly Restored - Walnut Dresser by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California
By Glenn of California, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Steel Pull Handles ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we...
Steel
Expertly Restored -Mid-Century Californian Modern Sculpted Walnut Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. W...
Walnut, Wood
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Cabinet by Carlo Jensen
By Carlo Jensen, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Birch Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we ...
Birch, Rosewood
Expertly Restored - Carlo Jensen Brazilian Rosewood Cabinet for Hundevad & Co.
By Carlo Jensen, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Birch Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we...
Rosewood, Birch
John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Aluminum Pulls, Brass Sabots ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to li...
Aluminum, Brass
