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 46.75 in W 36 in D 21 in
Remington Rand Style Mid-Century Modern Oak Library Card Catalog, Circa 1960s
By Remington Rand
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern 30-drawer library card catalog or file cabinet with two pull-out writing tablets In the manner of Remington Rand USA, Mid-20th Century Oak, with alu...
Aluminum
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 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 11.82 in
Mid-Century Danish Cabinet – 1950s Pine Design with Drawers and File Slots
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cabinet, anonymous, Denmark, 1950s. Oregon pine. This charming piece is an exquisite example of Danish cabinetmaking. The visible corner joints and the stretcher’s through mortise...
Pine
H 60 in W 41 in D 17 in
MCM 60-Drawer Maple Card Catalog by Library Bureau
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1960s; Library Bureau/Remington Office Systems - Boston, MA Mid-century modern wooden card catalog with 60 drawers of uniform size. This piece features solid maple construction ...
Wood
H 28 in W 75 in D 21 in
Jens Risom 1970s Paldao Wood Modernist File Cabinet
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Rare 1970s Mid-Century Modern paldao wood file cabinet designed by Jens Risom, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Brass
H 29.5 in W 31.5 in D 17.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Cabinet
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Cabinet Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight finish wear and scratching. Beautifully crafted. Outdoor lis...
Teak
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 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 41.75 in W 35 in D 19.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Chrome 15-Drawer Library Card Catalog
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare Mid-Century Modern 15-drawer library card catalog or file cabinet USA, Mid-20th Century Walnut, with durable laminate top, and chrome base. Measures: 35"W x 19.5"D x 41.75"...
Chrome
H 85.04 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Memphis Multi-Drawer Cabinet by Frans Van Praet, Birdseye Maple, 1980s
By Frans van Praet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Birdseye maple; multi-tech xl high board with drawers; metal multi-drawer cabinet, Frans Van Praet; 1980s; Memphis style multi-drawer cabinet with 54 drawers by Frans Van Praet. B...
Metal, Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group - Model 1514 Iron Base Credenza - Black Sliding Doors
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Decatur, GA
Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1514 Iron Base Credenza with Black Pegboard Sliding Doors, Late 1950s An exceptional Paul McCobb Planner Group credenza, manufactured by Winchendon F...
Metal, Iron
Midcentury Danish Modern Rosewood Wine Rack by Torsten Johansson
By AB Formträ, Torsten Johansson
Located in Decatur, GA
Sculptor, industrial designer and artist Torsten Johansson designed this beautiful wine rack of molded exotic rosewood and birch for AB Formträ, Sweden circa 1960s.
Birch, Rosewood
Early Paul McCobb Planner Group Bench Coffee Table with Drawer - Restored
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Decatur, GA
Early Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Bench Coffee Table with Drawer for Winchendon, Restored Exceptional Paul McCobb Planner Group bench...
Brass
Early Florence Knoll Model 116 Maple Credenza - Black Grasscloth Sliding Doors
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Early Florence Knoll Model 116 Maple Credenza with Black Grasscloth Sliding Doors, 1950s A beautifully preserved early Florence Knoll Model 116 credenza, produced in the 1950s, exem...
Metal, Iron
Widdicomb Burled Elm Demi Lune Coffee Table - Mid Century Modern Cocktail Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Decatur, GA
Rare Mid-Century Widdicomb Burled Elm Demi Lune Coffee Table, Circa 1960s A scarce and elegant demi lune coffee table produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company during the 1960s. Showc...
Elm, Mahogany, Burl
Jens Risom Solid Walnut Occasional Chair with New Cognac Leather Upholstery
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom Solid Walnut Occasional Chair with New Cognac Leather Upholstery An elegant Jens Risom occasional chair, embodying the understated sophistication and impeccable craftsman...
Leather, Walnut, Black Walnut
