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.
$900
H 22.75 in W 22.75 in D 24.25 in
1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Jens Risom Walnut Side Table, designed by Jens Risom in 1950 and produced by his company, Jens Risom Design Inc., in the 1960s. The Table's design is composed of a floating...
Walnut, Laminate
Jens Risom Walnut Magazine Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model T.539 side table, designed by Jens Risom for his eponymous company in 1949. The design is defined by its sharp, wedge-shaped profile, with an angled support, broad walnut top, ...
Walnut
Walnut End Table by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An expressive end table in rich walnut having raised and curved tapered side rails connected directly to the legs that support a floating top.
Walnut
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Cantilever End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century walnut cantilever side / end table with a rectangular off-center tabletop with shallow gallery supported by a walnut stretcher base. (Jens Risom).
Wood, Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Jens Risom Walnut Side Table, designed by Jens Risom in 1950 and produced by his company, Jens Risom Design Inc., in the 1960s. The Table's design is composed of a floating...
Laminate, Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original walnut and white laminate side / end table, designed by Jens Risom and produced by Jens Risom Design Inc circa 1960s. This is a classic example of Riso...
Laminate, Walnut
$1,800
H 20 in W 20 in D 26 in
George Nelson Style Mid Century Modern Walnut Side End Table on Tapered Leg MINT
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nelson Style Mid Century Modern Walnut Side End Table on Tapered Leg MINT.
Walnut
Lane Rhythm Walnut Side Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome coffee table in walnut, this design from the Lane "Rhythm" collection has subtle details that exhibit a Scandinavian influence. 20"h X 20.5"w X 29.75"d
Walnut
1960s 30 Inch Walnut Side / End Table Attributed to Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a walnut side / end table attributed to Jens Risom, produced in the 1960s. The table features a 30-inch square walnut top with clean lines and a straight-leg base, reflecting...
Walnut
1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a side table, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1960s. The design is...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Side Table by Gunlocke
By Gunlocke
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek, Mid-Century Modern, walnut side table by Gunlocke features sculpted sleigh legs.
Walnut
Danish Modern Teak Side Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, Mid-Century Modern, teak, side table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen sold by John Stuart features sleigh legs that are interesting from all angles. Two tables are...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Side Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, Mid-Century Modern, dark teak, side table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen sold by John Stuart features sleigh legs that are interesting from all angles. Two table...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Side Table by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern, solid teak side table by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen features tapered legs and edges.
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Custom-Made Walnut Standing Flip Top Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century modern walnut flip-top secretary desk is a wonderful tall station to work at either standing or with a stool. It is a custom-made desk circa 1970s that features a mi...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Tapered Teak Side Table by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Modern, teak side table by Folke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden features upturned edges that taper from 16 to 27 inches wide.
Teak
