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.
Danish Mid-Century Drop Leaf Console Table by Peter Hvidt, 1950s
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century wooden console / dining table with a rectangular console profile when closed, with two demilune drop leaves supported by four gate legs to create a circular dining...
Wood
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Walnut Cantilever End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century walnut cantilever side / end table with a rectangular off-center tabletop with shallow gallery supported by a walnut stretcher base. (Jens Risom).
Wood, Walnut
French Mid-Century Console Table by Maxime Old, Makore Veneer, 1940s
By Maxime Old
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1940s) makore veneer console table with rounded rectangular top on a Pair of "L" form legs with bronze trim (Attributed to MAXIME OLD)
Brass
Johan Tapp Mid-Century Maple Flip Flop Console Table, 1950-1970
By Johan Tapp
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Maple Custom "Flip Flop" Console Table with drop leaf sides supported by oval cut out moveable panels (JOHAN TAPP)
Wood
Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck Mid-Century Wooden Drop Leaf End / Side Table
By Andreas Tuck
Located in Queens, NY
Scandinavian Mid-Century end / side table with a rectangular top and drop leaf extensions on either side and a lower stretcher shelf connecting four taper...
Wood
Danish Mid-Century Drop Leaf End Table by Andreas Tuck, 1950s
By Andreas Tuck
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century wooden end / side table with a rectangular top and two drop leaves above a lower narrow stretcher shelf connecting four tapered dowel l...
Wood
1970s, Danish design, sofa table, teak wood, beech wood, original.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish coffee table in teak wood. Legs of beech wood. Original good condition: no smells and no stains, stable construction. Manufactured by Danish furniture maker in about 19...
Beech, Teak
Mid Century Solid Teak Sofa Hall Console Table Thailand Scandinavian 1970s
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A solid teak Mid Century table made in the Thailand in the 1970s. Versatile with nice proportions, the table will serve equally well as a sofa, hall or console table. Marked "mede in...
Teak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Expanding Console Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Astoria, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expanding Console Table, the folding top above tapered legs, paper label to underside. Closed: 29.25" H x 72" W x 1...
Wood
Console Table "Sportstugemöbel" by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hägersten, SE
Console or dining table designed by Carl Malmsten in 1953 model "Visingsö", This early example from the Beginning of the 1950s without the added screws on the short ends and visible ...
Pine
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sofa Table by Jens Quistgaard, 1960
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish small side, sofa table made of hand carved teakwood, designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard in good condition. Wear consistent with age an...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Side Table With Lower Rack
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1950s Materials: Teak Measurements: 22″ wide x 29.5″ deep x 19.5″ tall Condition: In excellent original condition with vi...
Teak
