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 Walnut End Tables
By Jens Risom
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Pair of Walnut Side Tables or Nightstands, attributed to Jens Risom, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. They have been cleaned and Danish oiled.
Glass, Walnut
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
$2,895 / set
H 23 in W 27.75 in D 20.75 in
Expertly Restored - Jens Risom Floating Top Walnut Side Tables
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Modernist Side Table, Walnut and Laminate, Designed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist side table, walnut and laminate designed by Jens Risom, simple, elegant design, retains original Jens Risom Design Inc. label.
Laminate, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Floating Side End Tables - Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Floating Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 21 wide x 27 deep x 24.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Minor Stain Wear on Top Tabl...
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
$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
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
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
$1,150
H 26 in W 28 in D 24 in
Jens Risom Leather + Walnut Side Table - Mid Century Modern End Table + Drawer
By Knoll, Jack Cartwright, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom leather and walnut side or end table. Seldom seen example from Risom Designs. One small drawer with exposed finger joinery. Overall excellent condition. Solid American b...
Leather, Walnut
Vintage George nelson Steel frame Side table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
simple and elegant black steel frame with white laminate side table on castors. designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Iron
Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen for France & Son Side Tables
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Søn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful pair of solid teak side tables by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen for France & Son. Sculpted lip sides, tapered legs and slightly curved bottom shelf...
Teak
Walnut Niels Moller Model 75 Side Chair
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful refinished danish walnut side chair by Niels Moller for J.L. Moller. this chair has been professionally refinished and has a new danish paperwork seat. this chair would wor...
Papercord, Teak
Arthur Umanoff Style Mid Century Modern Low Side Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful wood top low drink table in the style of Arthur Umanoff. has metal legs with light wood Top. The top is 16.5in round.
Iron
Vintage Teak Model 77 side chair by Niels Moller
By Neils O. Möller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful refinished teak side chair, model 77 by Niels.moller for J.L. Mollers mobelfabrik. This chair has been refinished and has new danish paper cord. there are 5 available. ad...
Papercord, Teak
Rosewood Model 78 side Chairs by Niels Moller - a pair
By Neils O. Möller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful pair of rosewood Møller chairs, model 78 with new Danish cord. The model 78 is in my opinion the best Niels O. Møller design and highly collectable.
Papercord, Rosewood
