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.
Tomlinson Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Club Chair or Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern club chair or lounge chair By Tomlinson USA, 1960 Sculpted walnut frame, with upholstered seat and back. Matching pillow included. Measures: 27....
Upholstery, Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sculpted Walnut Armchair
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern armchair or dining captain chair By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut frame, with inlaid rosewood, and uph...
Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cane Back Armchair
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern armchair or dining captain chair By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Sculpted walnut frame...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates High Back Side Chair or Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern high back lounge chair, club chair, or side chair By Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut base, with upholster...
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cane Back Armchairs, Pair
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs or dining armchairs By Paul McCobb for Directional USA, 1950s Sculpted walnut frames, with caned backs and vinyl upholstered seat...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern wingback lounge chair By Paul McCobb for Custom Craft Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Gorgeous gray upholstery, with sleek tapered solid ma...
Upholstery, Maple
Jens Risom Playboy Chair - Model C140 - Mid Century Walnut Armchair
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Jens Risom Model C140 “Playboy” Armchair in Original Mustard Tweed Upholstery Model C140 “Playboy” armchair designed by Jens Risom circa 1960s. One of Risom’s most celebrated lounge...
Fabric, Walnut
Handsome Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Designed by Danish-born Jens Risom, this vintage chair is beautiful perfection. The comfortably contoured faux leather seat floats in an exquisite, oiled walnut frame. The original ...
Faux Leather, Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design U-430 Lounge Chair with Arms in Walnut and Fabric
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a U-430 Lounge Chair, originally designed by Jens Risom in 1955. This particular example dates to the 1960s and was produced in the United States. The design is comprised of ...
Walnut, Fabric, Foam
Early Jens Risom Model 108 Arm Chair for Risom Designs in Walnut, USA, c. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
A rare and elegant 1950's walnut armchair, Model 108, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs Inc. This collectable chair is found in it's original Naugahyd...
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Model U430 Walnut Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Model U430 Walnut Lounge Chair This lounge chair measures: 26 wide x 29 deep x 29.75 high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height/chair clearance 23.25 inche...
Upholstery, Walnut
Poul Jensen Style Mid Century Walnut Z Lounge Chair
By Poul Jensen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Poul Jensen Style Mid Century Walnut Z Lounge Chair This chair measures: 27.25 wide x 31.5 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chai...
Upholstery, Walnut
