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.
$15,000
H 29 in W 183 in D 61 in
1960s Jens Risom Design Inc. Dining or Conference Table in Walnut 5 ft x 15 ft
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Group 8 Walnut Conference or Dining Table, designed by Jens Risom and produced by his company Jens Risom Design Inc. It features an oval top with a two-toned wood veneer th...
Steel
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Flip Top Console Dining Table This flip top console table measures: 60 wide x 21 deep x 28.75 inches high, with ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Extending Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid Century Modern-style walnut extending dining table with tapered legs. The tabletop is finished in rich walnut with mitered edges in Dark Chocolate. It features self-storing lea...
Wood
Mid Century Modern Walnut Extension Dining Room Table
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant black walnut dining table attributed to the Founders Furniture Company. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, it was well taken care of. Two large leav...
Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Walnut Dining Table with Two Leaves 40" x 72.5"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Rectangular Dining Table in Walnut with two removable leaves, designed by Jens Risom in 1949 for his company Jens Risom Design. This example dates to the 1960s. The walnut ...
Steel
$5,195
H 29 in W 60 in D 35.75 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 60 wide x 35.75 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches, each...
Walnut
$4,595
H 28.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table with 3 Leaves This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches, each leaf...
Walnut
Knoll International Dining Table in Walnut
By Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Mid-Century Modern dining table by Knoll International features a vintage walnut finish, and a spacious tabletop perfect for large meals and hosting. Please confirm item ...
Walnut
Walnut Delta Dining Table by Nikolai LaFuge
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by Brutalism and Carlo Scarpa, the Delta Dining Table feels both monumental and playful. Delta alludes to the triangular shapes seen in the legs and the negative space of th...
Walnut
$3,295
H 29 in W 58 in D 38 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Expanding Walnut Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Expanding Walnut Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 58 wide x 38 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24.75 ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Flip-Top Dining Table Console By Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern flip-top dining console table was designed by the popular American designer Harvey Probber during the 1960s. This table is true to Probber's aesthetic - simpl...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Scandinavian Modern Rosewood Extension Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning Scandinavian Modern rectangular rosewood extension dining table was designed circa 1960. This dining table features an exceptional rosewood grain top with contrasting t...
Rosewood
Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long, sleek and elegant, Danish modern, wonderfully grained, rosewood coffee table features sculpted, sleigh legs.
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Drop-Leaf Dining Table By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Mid-Century Modern walnut gate-fold, drop-leaf dining table was designed by British designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for the Widdicomb Furniture Company in Grand Rapids,...
Walnut
Scandinavian Modern Flip Top Expanding Dining Table By Folke Ohlsson For DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish and rare, Scandinavian modern extension dining table was designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden, circa 1960s. It's made of solid teak and features both practical an...
Teak
Teak Coffee Table by Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Magnus Olesen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern, solid teak coffee or side table by Magnus Olsen, Durup Denmark features a removeable top that rests within the base.
Teak
