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.
$7,427Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 51.97 in D 27.56 in
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater USA - 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater. Oak frame
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Sofa for Knoll, 1940s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
1940s Jens Risom Model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll in charcoal grey upholstery atop tapered stained birch legs, a class Midcentury Modern design. The high back features a row of butto...
Upholstery, Birch
1950s Danish Sofa Reupholstered with Designer Mohair Fabric
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning 1950s Danish sofa that has been beautifully reupholstered in a plush Schumacher designer mohair fabric, offering both luxury and durability. Its angular arms, a signature mi...
Mohair, Birch
$9,900
H 27.96 in W 90.95 in D 37.01 in
Leif Hansen "Model 62" Sofa for Kronen Møbelfabrikken, Denmark, 1960s
By Leif Hansen, Kronen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Leif Hansen’s Model 62 sofa is commonly referred to as the “Geisha” and was designed in 1959. This model is a strikingly elegant example of Danish modernism’s streamlined, luxurious aesthetic appeal to contemporary eyes. This three-seater sofa is made of two types of exotic woods and dressed in a premium light fabric. Its character is created by three main elements: the visually sectioned, fully upholstered body, the wooden accents on the arms, and the distinctively shaped legs. It says a lot when a model is representative not only of a designer, but also of a manufactory. So is the case with this Geisha sofa...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Loveseat Sofa For Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early Jens Risom model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll is a classic example of Mid-Century Modern design. The fully upholstered sofa features a high back with rounded edges and reces...
Upholstery, Birch
$5,833
H 28.35 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Swedish Tellus Sofa by Folke Jansson for Sm Wincrantz, 1950s
By SM Wincrantz 1, Folke Jansson
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
The stylish Tellus two-seater sofa was designed by Folke Jansson and manufactured for SM Wincrantz Möbelindustri AB Skövde in 1955, features beech legs with original brass details. ...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
$22,899
H 29.53 in W 61.03 in D 30.71 in
Sofa in Ash Legs with Original Velvet Mohair Fabric by Flemming Lassen, 1940's
By Flemming Lassen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Ash Legs with Original Velvet Mohair Fabric by Flemming Lassen, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Ash legs with original velvet mohair fabric Style: Mid century, Scan...
Ash, Velvet
$5,950
H 30 in W 73 in D 30.5 in
1949 Jens Risom No. 23 Sofa with New Upholstery Signed H.G. Knoll Products
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare and early Jens Risom Sofa, model number 23, produced by Knoll and labelled H.G. Knoll Products. This particular examples dates to circa 1949....
Fabric, Wood
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Samsas” is for many the most associated series with Carl Malmsten. The designer devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country man...
Fabric, Wood
$15,500
H 30.52 in W 90.16 in D 31.5 in
Edward Wormley "New York" Sofa Version 5316 for DUX, Sweden 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dux of Sweden
Located in Utrecht, NL
Edward Wormley took the best elements from classical, historical Scandinavian and other European furniture design and translated them into a Modern vernacular. The result was furnitu...
Fabric, Wood, Linen
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Westport, CT
Indulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century. Meticulously restored to its ...
Bouclé, Maple
Scandinavian Cabinetmaker Loveseat in Charcoal Bouclé, Sweden, C. 1940s
Located in Westport, CT
This original 1940s loveseat, crafted in the manner of Viggo Boesen, features a distinctive channelled back that enhances its elegant design. Completely restored, it is reupholstered...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, Model 150BS
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
This stunning and rare Serpentine Sofa, Model 150BS, designed by Vladimir Kagan, dates to the 1990s and showcases his signature sensual, sculptural form. The gracefully curved frame ...
Linen, Walnut
Set of Lounges Model 2136 by Jens Risom, C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
A-Line Lounge Chairs, designed by Jens Risom in the 1950s. These iconic chairs feature a sculptural walnut base, fully restored to its original splendor, and are reupholstered in Oce...
Walnut
ZEN Daybed in White Oak
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Introducing The Zen Daybed by Carlos Solano, a refined addition to the Stamford Modern collection. Inspired by the serenity of Asian design, it features gracefully upturned ends and ...
Twill, Oak
Linear Bench in Natural Wanut Series 72 by Stamford Modern
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern legend Edward Wormley, "The Linear Bench" embodies modern minimalism with clean lines and a sturdy metal stretcher. Explore...
Brass
