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 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
Jens Risom T 390 Coffee Table with Magazine Holder
By Jens Risom
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon model T 390 walnut coffee table by Jens Risom has a beautiful soft boat shape to the top which appears to float above the base and has an opening to accommodate books o...
Walnut
Model T-390 Coffee table with magazine rack, by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Model T 390 walnut coffee table by Jens Risom in walnut made in 1955, has a beautiful soft boat shape to the top which appears to float above the base and has an opening to accommoda...
Walnut
Early production Jens Risom Magazine Table , Classic Modernist Design
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Original (OLD) model T.539 side table with magazine rack, designed by Jens Risom in 1949. Fantastic angular profile is sleek and modern, echoed in the wedge-shaped top. Functionality...
Walnut
$1,153 / item
H 18.51 in W 15.95 in D 22.64 in
Magazine Side Table M6500 in Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia
By Fredericia, Jens Risom
Located in Dubai, AE
Designed in 1949, the Magazine Table is a great example of Danish-American designer Jens Risom’s stylish and innovative approach to modern design. The dynamic side table with its ic...
Oak
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 Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to share your zip code for efficient shipping quote. Jens Risom Coffee Table or Bench. Walnut construction.
Walnut
Jens Risom Midcentury Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern square table with floating top. Simple, handsome design by Jens Risom, featuring a detached looking top. (Please confirm item lo...
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table; model 4010 designed 1961 revolving top with locking mechanism, solid walnut tapered legs. 42" Diameter 16" Height C...
Walnut
$1,153 / item
H 18.51 in W 15.95 in D 22.64 in
Magazine Side Table M6500 in Black Lacquered Oak by Jens Risom for Fredericia
By Jens Risom, Fredericia
Located in Dubai, AE
Designed in 1949, the Magazine Table is a great example of Danish-American designer Jens Risom’s stylish and innovative approach to modern design. The dynamic side table with its ic...
Oak
Daybed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A Jens Risom daybed with walnut frame and steel glides. Fully restored.
Walnut
Lounge Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A large scale lounge chair on walnut base. Designed by Jens Risom. Fully restored and reupholstered.
Walnut
Jens Risom Large Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs, Inc. Beautifully restored with refinished walnut base and upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric.
Walnut
Pair of Teak Side Tables by Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of teak side tables with brass hardware. Design by Jens Quistgaard.
Teak
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine table with bentwood holders and Walnut sap grain top.
Walnut
Warren McArthur Side Table with Patinated Top
By Warren McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren McArthur aluminum table with patinated wooden top.
Aluminum
