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.
Pair of Navy Blue Mid-Century Modern Lounge Arm Chairs on Tapered Dowel Legs
By Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern new navy blue upholstery lounge chairs on tapered dowel legs.
Wool
New Blue Wool Upholstery Teak Frames Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
By Finn Juhl, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern barrel backs new wool upholstery lounge chairs in style of Finn Juhl.
Wool, Teak
Pair of New Blue Upholstery Teak Danish Mid-Century Modern Arm Lounge Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner, Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of DUX Danish Modern teak lounge newly upholstery in navy blue fabric. Nice solid teak wrap around back connected arms similar to barrel back design.
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Frames New Wool Upholstery Lounge Chairs Refinish
By Selig, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of His & Hers Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Frames New Wool Upholstery Lounge Chairs Refinished, MINT! Higher chair: 30×28x37, seat height: 16'' Smaller chair: 28x28x27.5, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
New Navy Blue Upholstery Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair on Brass Legs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stunning new navy blue upholstery Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chair on cone shape brass legs. Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti decor match.
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Lounge Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of black lacquer framed new blue upholstery fabric lounge chairs. Nice tapered legs.
Upholstery, Oak
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Navy Blue Armchairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish armchairs produced at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s in the Bending Furniture Factory in Radomsko. This is a limited edition marked with the B-310 VAR symbol. The armchairs a...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Dark Blue Velvet Armchairs, Designed by Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful armchairs model GFM-142, designed by Edmund Homa. The armchairs were made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory. Frame is made from solid beech wood. The GFM-1...
Textile, Beech
Set of Two Florence Knoll Armchairs in Original Blue Upholstery, USA 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hellouw, NL
Florence Knoll’s designs are known for their clean lines and timeless appeal. This pair of mid-century armchairs embodies her philosophy of functional elegance. With their balanced p...
Metal
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Lounge Chairs in Navy Romo Cotton Velvet, 1960s
Located in London, London
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Lounge Chairs in Navy Romo Cotton Velvet, 1960s An elegant pair of Italian lounge chairs dating from the 1960s, embodying the refined sculptural forms th...
Velvet
Pair of American Blue Velvet Armchairs, Midcentury
Located in London, GB
Pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered armchairs with black lacquered legs and frame, reupholstered in good quality Swedish dark blue velvet. These very comfortable and elegant chair...
Velvet
Set of Two 20th Century Zet Armchairs, Navy Velvet, 1970s, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A pair of armchairs manufactured at the Bydgoszcz Renewal Cooperative in the 1970s. The armchairs are after a comprehensive renovation of carpentry and upholstery. The wood has been ...
Velvet, Beech
