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 Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table This flip top console table measures: 60 wide x 21 deep x 28.75 inches high, with ...
Walnut
Vintage 1972 Lane Furniture Walnut Parsons Console Table
Located in North York, ON
A refined vintage Lane Furniture console table, Style No. 1339-08, dating precisely to 1972 and featuring a beautifully figured walnut surface within an exceptionally clean architect...
Walnut
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table This console table measures: 46 wide x 17 deep x 26 inches high Fair Vintage Condition. Top of Console Table is Unfinished and Needs t...
Walnut
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table This console table measures: 46 wide x 17 deep x 26.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Piece has Heavy Stain Wear Throughout. Min...
Walnut
$3,676
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Sassári Dark Brown Oak Console, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Sassári Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Sassári console table is a celebration of fine woodworking and timel...
Stone, Onyx, Limestone, Marble, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel
$7,975
H 29.75 in W 60 in D 17.5 in
Levi Christiansen x Lawson-Fenning Jalama Console, Modern Walnut Console Table
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Jalama Console pairs sturdy hardwood dowels with cascading selves that play with various soft corners. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, Cal...
Walnut
Walnut Console Table, Italy, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Walnut console table with two drawers and tall tapered legs. The handles are made of brass. The slightly bowed console has been professionally restored and finished with a matte surf...
Brass
$3,850
H 27 in W 58.5 in D 16 in
Founders Walnut and Brass X Base Console Table Mid Century Modern Refinished
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Walnut and Brass X Base Console Table, designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders, American, circa 1970s. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your ...
Brass
$6,900
H 30 in W 60 in D 14 in
Black Walnut "Lewis" Console Table - Shaker Style Meets Japanese Minimalism
By Braden Tokoly
Located in Salvisa, KY
Shaker Style meets the sleek lines and narrow proportions of the Japanese Minimalist design aesthetic - The Lewis Collection strikes the perfect balance between elegance and simplici...
Walnut
$2,600
H 26 in W 38 in D 15 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut Drop Leaf One Drawer Serving Table Server MINT
By Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Modern Walnut Drop Leaf One Drawer Serving Table Server MINT 2x17” leaves with an extended table length of 72”
Oak, Walnut
George Nelson EOG Walnut Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1950s. A large dining table or work table from George Nelson’s Executive Office Group for Herman Miller. Features a generous rec...
Steel, Chrome
Hans Wegner JH-570 Dining Table
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1950s. A scarce and quite covetable JH-570 dining table by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen. Features a generous rectangular teak top with elegantly beveled lip supported...
Brass
Hans Wegner Teak & Oak Coffee Table
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1950s. A rare model AT-308 coffee table by Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck. Features rectangular teak top supported by solid oak X-shaped legs with tubular brass supports ...
Brass
Long Danish Rosewood Bench
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960. A long Krobo style bench or coffee table most likely by Norwegian designer Torbjørn Afdal. Features rosewood construction with a generous rectangular top finished ...
Metal
Nils Jonsson Teak Wall Console
By Hugo Troeds, Nils Jonsson
Located in Cambridge, US
Sweden, ca. 1960s. A versatile wall-mounted cabinet by Nils Jonsson for Hugo Troeds. Features teak construction with black lacquered sliding door, which opens to reveal a spacious bi...
Birch, Teak, Lacquer
Karl Springer Pedestal Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1980s. A scarce post modern coffee table by American designer Karl Springer (1931-1991). Features monolithic pedestal form supported by inset plinth base. Wrapped in a chic ...
Leather, Wood
