Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom, circa 1950

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Shop All Jens Risom

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.

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk

$4,595

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 81.25 wide x 36 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk

$6,495

Large Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom, USA, 1960's

By Jens Risom

Located in New York, NY

A large and handsome executive desk constructed of solid walnut with "Y" shaped drawer pulls designed by Jens Risom, circa 1960.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Large Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom, USA, 1960's

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Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Cane Executive Desk

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Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Cane Executive Desk This desk measures: 72 wide x 30 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in ...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

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Cane, Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Cane Executive Desk

$5,195

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Curved Executive Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Curved Executive Desk This desk measures: 83.5 wide x 38.5 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 i...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Curved Executive Desk

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Jens Risom Style Mid Century Half Round Walnut Executive Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jens Risom style mid century half round walnut executive desk The desk measures: 95.5 wide x 47.75 deep x 29 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call rest...

Category