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 Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 81.5 wide x 36 deep x 27.25 high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Desk has Areas of St...
Walnut
$2,595Sale Price / item|54% Off
H 29.5 in W 81.5 in D 36 in
Mid-century Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom for Jen Risom Designs c.1950
By Jens Risom
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original Jens Risom large executive desk constructed from solid Walnut and built for design and durability. The right side of the desk has three drawers and a pull-out tray...
Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
$3,450
H 28.75 in W 78 in D 38 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk with Black Laminate Top, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Modern Walnut L-Shape Executive Desk designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This impressive executive desk embodies the clean lines and functional s...
Metal
Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Curved Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Style Mid Century Walnut Curved Executive Desk This desk measures: 83.5 wide x 38.5 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 i...
Cane, Walnut
Vintage Walnut Executive Desk by Wilhelm Renz
By Wilhelm Renz
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage walnut executive desk by Wilhelm Renz. This was made in Germany, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, this has a gorgeous and very practical desi...
Walnut
$8,010
H 28.35 in W 79.93 in D 35.83 in
Mid-Century Rosewood Executive Desk with Y Pulls by Jens Risom, 1960s.
By Jens Risom
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Rosewood Executive Desk with Y Pulls by Jens Risom, 1960s. Rare large freestanding executive rosewood desk designed by Jens Risom. Exceptionally beautiful large table to...
Rosewood
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk The desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches The retur...
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk This desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 25.5 inches The depth including the return is 78 inches We take...
Metal
Mid-Century Walnut Large Executive Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut executive Desk by Standard Furniture Company Herkimer, NY. Large Beautiful remarkable statement in design and craftsmanship. This large mid century walnut...
Walnut
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
Mid Century Cantilever Teak Desk in Manner of Kai Kristiansen, Ca. 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century cantilever desk with teak top and ebonized lacquered base, circa 1960s. Two drawers with leather handles feature ebonized interiors with built in pen/pencil holders. U...
Leather, Wood, Teak, Lacquer
Severin Hansen Model 36 Rosewood Desk for Haslev, Denmark, Circa 1950s
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Peabody, MA
A rosewood desk, Model 36, designed by Hans Severin Hansen for Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, circa late 1950s. Hansen's furniture designs are distinctively recognizable for their sleek profi...
Rosewood
Anglo-Indian Danish Modern Style Secretary Desk / Vanity by Hayat, Circa 1960s
By M. Hayat & Bros Ltd.
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century Anglo-Indian rosewood secretary desk / vanity by the world renowned M. Hayat firm of Peshawar, Pakistan. In a rare fusion of cultures, this bespoke desk of drawers was ...
Brass
David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s
By Founders Furniture Company, David Parmelee
Located in Peabody, MA
Mid-century modern writing desk featuring a staved rosewood top over an X-form chrome base, designed by Dave Parmelee for Founders Furniture, circa 1970s.
Chrome
Paul McCobb Vanity Table for Calvin, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
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
