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 Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table This flip top console table measures: 60 wide x 21 deep x 28.75 inches high, with ...
Walnut
$16,800
H 30 in W 90 in D 20.5 in
Andrianna Shamaris Midcentury Couture Espresso Stained Teak Wood Console Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury Couture Collection new to 2021. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A single two inch beautiful slab of reclaimed teak wood, taken from my ...
Wood, Teak
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.5 in W 45.5 in D 17.5 in
Rare Lovely Lane Acclaim Walnut Hall Console Table, Mid-Century Modern
By Lane Furniture
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare piece of Lane Acclaim dovetail top hall console table. This is the very hard to find console table in the Lane Acclaim series. This is the 1st one i have ever seen. Very nice...
Walnut
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table This console table measures: 46 wide x 17 deep x 26 inches high Fair Vintage Condition. Top of Console Table is Unfinished and Needs t...
Walnut
Walnut Low Table from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut low table having a long rectangular top with raised end rails resting on a six-legged base with turned legs and stretchers. The legs attach ...
Walnut
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Acclaim Mid Century Walnut Console Table This console table measures: 46 wide x 17 deep x 26.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Piece has Heavy Stain Wear Throughout. Min...
Walnut
Italian Walnut Flip-Top Console Table, Italy, circa 1950
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut flip-top console table with elegantly carved apron and tapered legs, with a rectangular top which opens to create a card or dining table. Fantastic modernist desig...
Walnut
$3,850
H 27 in W 58.5 in D 16 in
Founders Walnut and Brass X Base Console Table Mid Century Modern Refinished
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Walnut and Brass X Base Console Table, designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders, American, circa 1970s. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your ...
Brass
Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice solid walnut bench or coffee table by Risom.
$7,975
H 29.75 in W 60 in D 17.5 in
Levi Christiansen x Lawson-Fenning Jalama Console, Modern Walnut Console Table
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Jalama Console pairs sturdy hardwood dowels with cascading selves that play with various soft corners. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, Cal...
Walnut
Hugh Acton Rosewood Executive Desk, c. 1970
By Hugh Acton
Located in Chicago, IL
Hugh Acton Rosewood Executive Desk, 1970’s. Measures 84” long 36” deep 29” tall Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Rosewood Executive Desk. Featuring a straight line design, large rectang...
Metal
Rosewood and Solid Bronze Architectural Bench, 1970’s
Located in Chicago, IL
Rosewood and Solid Bronze Architectural Bench, 1970’s. Original in beautiful condition. Bench is extremely heavy. Measures 59” long 21.25” deep 18” tall
Bronze
Bertha Schaefer Walnut w/Travertine Side/End Table, 1960
By Bertha Schaefer
Located in Chicago, IL
Bertha Schaefer Walnut w/travertine side/end table, 1960. Original Measures 23" wide 24" deep 22.5" tall
Travertine
Bertha Schaefer Walnut w/Travertine Side/End Table, 1960
By Bertha Schaefer
Located in Chicago, IL
Bertha Schaefer Walnut w/Travertinr Side/End Table, 1960. Measures 22.5" wide 28.25" deep 22.75" tall
Travertine
Karl Springer Goatskin Desk c.1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Goatskin Desk, 1970’s. Original Measures 54” long 26.75” deep 29.5” tall This vintage Karl Springer desk is made with free-form inlay of natural goatskin with a polish...
Goatskin
Ron Seff Burled Walnut Credenza with Chrome Sides, 1970
By Ron Seff
Located in Chicago, IL
Ron Seff Burled Walnut Credenza with Chrome Sides, 1970’s. Original Measures 32.5” tall 84” long 21.25” deep
Chrome
