Midcentury Walnut Desk with Formica Top Designed by Jens Risom
View Similar Items
Midcentury Walnut Desk with Formica Top Designed by Jens Risom
About the Item
- Creator:Jens Risom (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 64 in (162.56 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Madison, WI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU923510043911
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.
- Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsFormica, Walnut
- 1960s Midcentury Desk in Wood & Laminate by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in Detroit, MIThis vintage Mid-Century Modern desk by Jens Risom circa 1960 has a Classic Danish modern design with clean, Minimalist, geometric lines. The desk is solid, heavy and well-crafted an...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$1,960 Sale Price20% Off - Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens 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
MaterialsWalnut
$6,495 / set - Large Executive Walnut Writing Desk by Jens Risom, 1960sBy Jens RisomLocated in Chesham, GBA walnut executive Danish designed desk by Jens Risom and manufactured in the U.S.A by by Jens Risom Design. Designer - Jens Risom Manufacturer - Jens Risom Design Design Period -...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in North Hollywood, CAExceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut writing desk by Jens Risom and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a conserv...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Large Jens Risom DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in New York, NYLarge vintage Jens Risom solid walnut desk. Has a single pull-out drawer. Desk has a glass top. Great for an office or home.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
$7,700