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 and Brass Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 72 wide x 20.25 deep x 26.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 54.25 wide x 20.25 deep x 27.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Scratches on Top Surface. Credenza has ...
Brass
$7,999Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.25 in W 72 in D 20 in
1960's Midcentury Jens Risom Walnut Cabinet Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
An exceptional midcentury walnut file cabinet/credenza by iconic designer Jens Risom, circa 1960s, manufactured in the USA. This absolutely stunning piece features gorgeous walnut, s...
Chrome
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 72 wide x 20.25 deep x 27.5 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Minor Wear and Scratches on Top Credenza Surface. D...
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 2 Door Cabinet Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 2 Door Cabinet Credenza This credenza measures: 36.5 wide x 20.25 deep x 29 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Minor Stain Wear and Scratches on Top...
Walnut
$10,447
H 31.25 in W 67.5 in D 21.5 in
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Cane and Brass Credenza
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Cane and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 67.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 31.25 inches ...
Brass
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.25 in W 54.25 in D 20.25 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut Office Credenza by Jens Risom, c1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time and enhance your workspace with the sophisticated elegance of this Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Office Credenza, designed by the legendary Danish-American desi...
Walnut
Jens Risom Credenza in Oiled Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom credenza in oiled walnut, features four drawers and one file drawer, two doors with adjustable shelves, finished on the backside, and Stainless...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Walnut and Brass Credenza by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage mid-century modern credenza by Henredon Furniture features a warm walnut finish and distinctive brass escutcheon pulls. Dovetail joinery on drawers provides years of sta...
Metal, Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 9-Drawer Dresser Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut 9-Drawer Dresser Credenza This credenza measures: 54.25 wide x 20.25 deep x 27 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Scratches on Top Surface. Credenza...
Walnut
Fully Restored Jens Risom Walnut & Brass 8-Drawer Cabinet or Dresser
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Danish design icon Jens Risom, this super rare model was made in the USA by his own company: Jens Risom Design Inc. This cabinet rarely comes up for sale, especially in t...
Brass
Restored Mid-Century Modern 9-Drawer Long Cabient by Red Lion in Sculpted Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
American-designed and made, this dresser features everything that makes mid-century modern furniture what it is: high quality American walnut construction, thoughtful and light desig...
Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Danish Long Teak Credenza with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautifully designed teak credenza with top notch construction. It features two sliding tambour doors, two drawers and two shelf spaces. Marked made in Denmark. Original clean cond...
Teak
Restored Westnofa Sliding Door Credenza or Sideboard in Rosewood, Norway 1950s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made by in-house craftsmen at Westnofa, this credenza was made in Norway in the early 1950s. Westnofa is famous today wor working with numerous Scandinavian designers th...
Felt, Maple, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Danish Long Teak Credenza with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautifully designed teak credenza with top notch construction. It features two sliding doors, four drawers and two shelf spaces. Marked made in Denmark. Original clean condition.
Teak
Danish Modern Teak 4-Drawer Sideboard by Peter Lovig Nielsen Mid Century
By Lovig Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A coveted and exceptionally well-built design by Peter Lovig Nielsen for Dansk Designs. The cabinet has a door on the lefthand side and behind this door is a single adjustable shelf ...
Teak
