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.
$900
H 22.75 in W 22.75 in D 24.25 in
1960s Jens Risom Walnut Side Table with Faux Walnut Laminate Top
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Jens Risom Walnut Side Table, designed by Jens Risom in 1950 and produced by his company, Jens Risom Design Inc., in the 1960s. The Table's design is composed of a floating...
Walnut, Laminate
Jens Risom Walnut Magazine Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model T.539 side table, designed by Jens Risom for his eponymous company in 1949. The design is defined by its sharp, wedge-shaped profile, with an angled support, broad walnut top, ...
Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design Walnut and Laminate Side / End Table 32"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Jens Risom Walnut Side Table, designed by Jens Risom in 1950 and produced by his company, Jens Risom Design Inc., in the 1960s. The Table's design is composed of a floating...
Laminate, Walnut
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
1970s Jens Risom Designs Side / End Table in Walnut 21x30"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Side Table, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1970s. The...
Walnut
1950s Jens Risom Design Round Side Table in Walnut 25"
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a side table, originally designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. This particular example was handcrafted in the United States and dates back to the 1960s. The design is...
Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original walnut and white laminate side / end table, designed by Jens Risom and produced by Jens Risom Design Inc circa 1960s. This is a classic example of Riso...
Laminate, Walnut
1960s Jens Risom Design Large Side/Corner Table in Walnut Wood
By Jens Risom
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a large square side/corner/coffee table in Walnut wood made in the 1960s by iconic Mid 20th Century designer Jens Risom. It features a solid base and square slab top fused...
Walnut
$3,000
H 15 in W 30 in D 30 in
Square Walnut Mid Century Modern "Floating" Top Coffee Center Table Risom Style
By Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square Walnut Mid Century Modern "Floating" Top Coffee Center Table Risom Style
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table; model 4010 designed 1961 revolving top with locking mechanism, solid walnut tapered legs. 42" Diameter 16" Height C...
Walnut
Lane Rhythm Walnut Side Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome coffee table in walnut, this design from the Lane "Rhythm" collection has subtle details that exhibit a Scandinavian influence. 20"h X 20.5"w X 29.75"d
Walnut
Rosewood Side Table by Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
This end table has a stunningly beautiful top of rich, highly figured rosewood supported by an ebonized black base. Like all Knoll pieces it is impeccably constructed and features re...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table by Glenn of California, 1960s
By Glenn of California
Located in Highland, IN
This large and well made walnut coffee table by Glenn of California has a deceptively simple form with nice details like the reveal between the top and legs. 15"h X 48"w X 48"d
Walnut
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Rosewood Side Table
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Highland, IN
This delightful diminutive side table by Arne Hovmand-Olsen is crafted of rich rosewood and has subtle, beautiful lines which are distinctively Scandinavian.
Rosewood
Swedish Solid Teak Flip-Top Tables in the Manner of Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Highland, IN
The internet is a miraculous thing, but one aspect of it is that incorrect information has a habit of taking root and refusing to go away. Such is the case for the Jens Quistgaard at...
Brass
Jens Risom T 390 Coffee Table with Magazine Holder
By Jens Risom
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon model T 390 walnut coffee table by Jens Risom has a beautiful soft boat shape to the top which appears to float above the base and has an opening to accommodate books o...
Walnut
