Name: Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk in Walnut, Cane, and Steel
Brand: Jens Risom
Rating: 4.9 (113 reviews)

Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk in Walnut, Cane, and Steel

View Similar Items

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Half Round Walnut Executive Desk

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk

Customized Mid-Century Modern Desk by Jens Risom

1960s Mid Century Wood and Laminate Desk by Jens Risom

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing Desk

Large Jens Risom Desk

Jens Risom Desk Produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark

Jens Risom Solid Wood Desk, Denmark, 1960s

Mid-Century Walnut Large Executive Desk

Jens Risom Mid-Century Diamond Top Walnut and Caning Coffee Table

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.

More From This Seller

View All

Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s

By Jens Risom

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous mid-century modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair By Jens Risom USA, 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original tan upholstery. Measures: 22.25"W x...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s

$1,255

Jens Risom Style Mid-Century Modern Solid Walnut Lounge Chairs by Gunlocke, Pair

By Jens Risom, Gunlocke

Located in South Bend, IN

A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs or lounge chairs In the manner of Jens Risom By Gunlocke USA, 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frames, with original yellow ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Jens Risom Style Mid-Century Modern Solid Walnut Lounge Chairs by Gunlocke, Pair

$1,295 / set

Bert England for John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Leather Top Desk

By Bert England, John Widdicomb

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional mid-century modern writing desk or executive desk By Bert England for John Widdicomb "Orientation Group" USA, 1960s Walnut, with leather top and original Asia...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bert England for John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Leather Top Desk

$2,385

John Widdicomb Burl Wood and Brass Executive Desk, Newly Refinished

By John Widdicomb

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern executive writing desk By John Widdicomb and produced by Mastercraft USA, Circa 1970s Measures...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

John Widdicomb Burl Wood and Brass Executive Desk, Newly Refinished

$12,995

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Newly Refinished

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original bras...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Newly Refinished

$3,295

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk

$3,295

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk

$4,595

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Half Round Walnut Executive Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Countryside, 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

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

Jens Risom Style Mid Century Half Round Walnut Executive Desk

$5,895

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Countryside, IL

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk The desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches The retur...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk

$6,495 / set

Customized Mid-Century Modern Desk by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Miami, FL

Mid-Century Modern L-shaped designed desk by Danish-American furniture designer Jens Risom. Teak wood with an under right side connected extension. Customized by French artist Fabie...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Resin, Lacquer, Teak

Customized Mid-Century Modern Desk by Jens Risom

$10,000

1960s Mid Century Wood and Laminate Desk by Jens Risom

By Jens Risom

Located in Detroit, MI

This vintage mid century modern desk by Jens Risom and circa 1960 has a classic Danish modern design with clean, minimalist, geometric lines. The desk is well-crafted heavy, and feat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1960s Mid Century Wood and Laminate Desk by Jens Risom

$1,650

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing Desk

By Jens Risom

Located in Countryside, IL

Jens Risom midcentury Walnut and Formica top writing desk This desk measures: 72 wide x 35.25 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture ca...

Category