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 'Vostra' Lounge Chair in Canvas Webbing
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair featuring exquisite canvas webbing, this piec...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
A classic strapped slipper lounge chair designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll Studio. The chair features blonde wood framing with dark gray straps. Very clean and ready to use...
Wood
Webbed Side Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Wood frame with red webbing.
Wood
$1,424Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 25.2 in
Jens Risom Knoll Studio - Risom Maple Lounge Chair With Flax Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Jens Risom Knoll Risom Lounge Chair WIth Flax Webbing and Clear Maple Finished The Risom Lounge Chair by Knoll was designed by Jens Risom in 1941. This classic design remains a str...
Maple
$2,350
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Jens Risom Model 652-W lounge chair for KnollStudio, originally designed in 1941 and still celebrated as one of the icons of mid-century modern design. This timeless piece fe...
Cotton, Wood
$479Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30.625 in W 17.25 in D 18 in
Jens Risom Side Chairs for Knoll (Two Available)
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Knoll Jens Risom chairs. Simple classic and honest design made this side or dining chair so popular that its still in production today. Made from solid walnut wood and natural cotto...
Cotton, Walnut
$3,300 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring exquisite...
Brass
Circa 1940 Eva Easy Chair By Bruno Mathsson For Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Norwich, England
An Eva easy chair by Swedish architect and designer Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson. Circa 1940. Labelled. The chair is made from laminated birch plywood and solid birch. It has t...
Jute, Birch, Bentwood
Early Chair Attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very early chair that is attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll. The chair features a vinyl type finish that is in good condition with a few marks and light staining. The legs have ...
Early Bruno Mathsson model 36 easy chair
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Highland, IN
Among the earliest of Bruno Mathsson's designs is this rare model 36 easy chair. It features interesting details that were changed in later production. The le...
Beech, Leather
