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.
Danish Mid-Century Console Table by Jens Risom with Leather Top
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century console table with a walnut frame and rectangular table top with a beige leather wrap. (JENS RISOM) Leather needs cleaning and is separating from table top aroun...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Jens Risom Rosewood Console Table / Side Table, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Lejre, DK
Console table or side table crafted from rosewood, designed by Jens Risom in the 1960s. The table features a long rectangular top and can be used as a console table or side table. —...
Rosewood
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 32 in D 16 in
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sofa Table by Jens Quistgaard, 1960
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish small side, sofa table made of hand carved teakwood, designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard in good condition. Wear consistent with age an...
Teak
$3,500
H 29.5 in W 45.25 in D 19.5 in
1960s Kofod Larsen Faarup Danish Teak Console Sideboard Serving Flatware Table
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Nice example of this beautiful design. Great entryway piece.
Teak
$895
H 27.75 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid Century Solid Teak Sofa Hall Console Table Thailand Scandinavian 1970s
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A solid teak Mid Century table made in the Thailand in the 1970s. Versatile with nice proportions, the table will serve equally well as a sofa, hall or console table. Marked "mede in...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Side Table With Lower Rack
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1950s Materials: Teak Measurements: 22″ wide x 29.5″ deep x 19.5″ tall Condition: In excellent original condition with vi...
Teak
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Coffee Table Danish Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover a gorgeous mid century coffee table that exemplifies the timeless elegance of Danish design, featuring a beautiful vintage teak finish with lovely wood grain. At Mid Century...
Teak, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Draw-Leaf Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful mid-century modern Danish draw-leaf dining table crafted in warm, richly grained teak. The versatile design expands to an impressive 92.5 inches when fully extended, offe...
Teak
Large Coffee or Sofa Table Johannes Andersen
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Sofa table in teak designed by Johannes Andersen for CFC Silkeborg in early 1960s. Very good vintage quality. Table with extension on the side.
Teak
Vintage Danish Teak Side Table, 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak side table, 1960s Elegant Danish Mid-century modern side or coffee table with underlying shelf. Table top with wrapped gri...
Teak
1960's Executive Desk from Denmark
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Executive desk from Denmark circa mid-1960s now available. This example has matte black iron legs, open back for additional storage, interior and exterior drawers and original brass ...
Steel
Midcentury Danish Teak & Brass Credenza
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Stunning teak and brass sideboard from Denmark, circa mid-1950s. This all original example has a beautifully broken in solid teak frame, with inset patinated brass drawer pulls. It h...
Brass
Deco Birch Desk by Saarinen for Johnson, 1940's
By Eliel Saarinen, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Eliel Saarinen for Johnson desk circa 1948. This rare example executed in birch has three drawers, sculptural s shaped legs and formed aluminum pulls. It has been masterfully restore...
Aluminum
Occasional Table from Italy in Walnut and Brass, 1950s
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Tapered solid walnut and polished brass cocktail or occasional table from Italy, circa late 1950s. This lovely example has sculptural newly oiled walnut inserts with mirror polished ...
Brass
Arne Vodder Sibast 1960’s Teak Credenza
By Arne Vodder
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Seldom seen 8’ plus Arne Vodder for Sibast teak sideboard now available. This handsome chest has been impeccably restored and has two tambour doors, 5 drawers and three interior shel...
Teak, Leather
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Saber Leg Side Tables in Mahogany
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of sculptural saber leg occasional tables by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa early 1950s. Newly finished. Price listed is for the pair.
Mahogany
