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.
$3,017
H 39.77 in W 27.56 in D 30.71 in
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Sheepskin
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Tilburg, NL
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Sheepskin 'Off White'. New, design from 1956. The Lamino by Yngve Ekström is one of the m...
Sheepskin, Walnut
Danish Modern Walnut Lounge Chair by Ib Kofod Larsen for Selig
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern walnut high back lounge chair designed by Ib Kofod Larsen and manufactured by Selig in Denmark circa 1960s. This beautiful highback lounge chair features a solid walnut frame with an excellent color tone and a beautiful grain pattern creating a refined and elegant look. The chair backrest...
Fabric, Walnut
$800Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 24.02 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Armchair in Fabric, Finn Juhl Style, 1968
By Finn Juhl
Located in bari, IT
Armchair Scandinavian production in the style of Finn Juhl 1960s.
Fabric, Walnut
$3,643Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 25.99 in D 30.12 in
Walnut and Fabric Essex Armchair, Scandinavian Modern Design, Portugal
Located in New York, NY
The Essex collection offers a modern yet timeless take on comfort, inspired by the sleek architecture of New York City. Upholstered in premium fabric, this armchair combines minimali...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
$3,646Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 25.99 in D 30.12 in
Walnut and Fabric Essex Armchair, Scandinavian Modern Design, Portugal
Located in New York, NY
The Essex collection offers a modern yet timeless take on comfort, inspired by the sleek architecture of New York City. Upholstered in premium fabric, this armchair combines minimali...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
$6,825 / item
H 24.41 in W 29.53 in D 32.29 in
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3, Walnut, Alpaca 1108
By Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen, DK3
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3 Designed by Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen Dimensions: - W.75 x D.82 x H.62 cm - Seating: W.58 x D.52 x H.36 cm Materials: - Frame: Solid wood....
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Danish Modern Walnut Lounge Chair by Torben Strandgaard
By Falster Møbelfabrik, Torben Strandgaard
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Imagine a piece of furniture that not only serves a purpose but also enhances the beauty of your space. I'm excited to present to you the Danish Modern walnut lounge chair, a stunnin...
Fabric, Oak, Teak, Walnut
Danish 1950's Classic Easy Chair in Walnut and Wool
By Arne Vodder
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish modern very comfortable comfortable easy armchair from the early 1950's in the style of Arne Vodder and Hans Wegner's classic well-known modern designs. Modern lines ...
Wool, Walnut
$6,590 / item
H 24.41 in W 29.53 in D 32.29 in
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3, Walnut, Balmoral 02
By DK3, Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3 Designed by Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen Dimensions: - W.75 x D.82 x H.62 cm - Seating: W.58 x D.52 x H.36 cm Materials: - Frame: Solid wood....
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$6,590 / item
H 24.41 in W 29.53 in D 32.29 in
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3, Walnut, Balmoral 99
By Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen, DK3
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Lounge Chair 'Z-Chair' by DK3 Designed by Poul Thorsbjerg Jensen Dimensions: - W.75 x D.82 x H.62 cm - Seating: W.58 x D.52 x H.36 cm Materials: - Frame: Solid wood....
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
