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.
Set of 2 Rare Model C-108 Chairs, Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, USA, 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a limited set of two restored Model C-108 armchairs designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. Constructed from frames, legs and arms of solid black walnut replete wit...
Walnut
Set of 2 Model C-108 Chairs by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, USA, c. 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a limited set of two restored Model C-108 armchairs designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. Constructed from frames, legs and arms of solid black walnut replete wit...
Walnut
Set of 6 Model C140 "Playboy" by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, USA, c. 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a newly restored set of two iconic Model C140 "Playboy" Chairs designed by the influential Jens Risom with accompanying side chairs designed in the manner of Risom. The ...
Walnut
Set of Two '2' Lounge Chairs in Walnut & Vinyl After Jens Risom, USA, c. 1960's
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
As comfortable as they are visually striking this stately set of arm chairs, in 100% original vintage condition, is idea for office settings. Featuri...
Walnut
Set of 2 Rare Model C-108 Armchairs, Jens Risom, Jens Risom Design, USA, 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a limited set of two restored Model C-108 armchairs designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. Constructed from frames, legs and arms of solid black walnut replete wit...
Walnut
Set of Two '2' Jens Risom Armchairs / Accent Chairs on Walnut Frames, USA, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Deland, FL
This set of chairs is for the collector with exceptional taste, as it is one of the more profound designs by Jens Risom. Upholstered in original red knit fabric. Constructed on a sol...
Walnut
Pair of Brazilian Midcentury Modern Armchairs, Unknown Designer, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Hidden among Brazil's modern furniture heritage are pieces whose origins remain a mystery. These designs, beautifully crafted and steeped in the aesthetics of their time, are yet to ...
Hardwood, Leather
Pair of Vintage Midcentury Restored Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Pasadena, TX
Jens Risom`s career has spanned nearly sixty years. He began his study of design in the Copenhagen workshop of Kaare Klint in 1935 and joined Ernst Kuhn`s architectural office in 1938, where he designed furniture and interiors. In 1939, Risom emigrated to the U.S. and in 1941 designed the first chair manufactured by Knoll. Risom described the chair as "very basic, very simple, inexpensive, easy to make." The chair was constructed with a birch wood frame and, because of wartime materials constraints, cheap but strong army surplus...
Cowhide, Walnut
Two 1960s "Poltrona Del Rey" Lounge Chairs In Jacaranda By Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An extremely rare pair of original "Poltrona Del Rey" lounge chairs by Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin, made circa 1960. This design is documented on page 100 of Maria Cecilia Lo...
Hardwood
Pair of Armchairs by J. Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original pair of armchairs by J. Risom.
Birch
Classic Pair of Modernist Club ./ Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom, C. 1950's, 60s
By Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Discover the timeless allure of a rare set of club chairs designed by Jens Risom in the late 1950s, early 1960s,,, Stunning design.. Retain they're original upholstery and finish.. F...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom (Attr.), United States ca 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of lounge chairs attributed to Jens Risom is truly a magnificent example of American design, reflecting the sleek elegance of mid-century aesthetics. With their clean lines...
Fabric, Wood
