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.
$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 Executive Walnut Credenza
By Jens Risom
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Good Vintage Condition Dimensions: 77.75” L x 21” D x 25.5” H Description: A vintage walnut executive credenza by Jens Risom. Made in the USA, circa 1970s. Uncommon and ...
Walnut
$5,000
H 28.38 in W 77.82 in D 21 in
Impressive Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Large Walnut Credenza or Sideboard
By Jens Risom
Located in St. Louis, MO
Handsome Jens Risom (1916-2016) designed Danish Modern walnut credenza is perfect for office or home. Designed and produced by Jens Risom...
Walnut
$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 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
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 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
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
Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, c.1960s, USA. This four drawer walnut credenza features one side of drawers and two shelves concealed by a roll top tambour door. The walnut handles have a br...
Walnut
Nils Jonsson for Troeds, Sweden Teak Credenza Circa 1960s
By Hugo Troeds, Nils Johnsson
Located in Peabody, MA
A Scandinavian teak credenza by Nils Jonsson for Troeds, Sweden, circa 1960s.
Teak
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Walnut Five Drawer Dresser, C. 1960
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Peabody, MA
A five drawer walnut dresser, model #326-2, by Florence Knoll, for Knoll International, ca. 1960.
Walnut
Wall Mounted Secretary Desk Cabinet by Charles Webb, Circa 1970s
By Charles Webb
Located in Peabody, MA
A wall mounted secretary desk, commissioned from the Cambridge, MA maker Charles Webb in the late 1970s. Fashioned in a glowing maple, it features a drop down writing surface support...
Maple
Paul McCobb Vanity Table for Calvin, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century modern vanity table in Honduran mahogany by Paul McCobb, for Calvin Furniture, Irwin Collection, circa late 1950s.
Mirror, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Dresser in Mahogany and Rosewood Circa 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Peabody, MA
Three drawer dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with two-tone contrasting Honduran mahogany drawer fronts, top and sides, and rosewood trimmed case, circa 1960s.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Hans Wegner For Andreas Tuck Danish Desk in Teak and Oak Circa 1950s
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Peabody, MA
Danish three drawer writers desk in teak and oak, model AT 305, by Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck, circa 1950s.
Oak, Teak
