Jens Risom Club Chairs
Danish, American, 1916-2016
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.
to
3
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
1
3
3
3
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
229
51
45
37
35
Creator: Jens Risom
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair
By Jens Risom
USA, 1960s
Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original tan upholstery.
Measures: 22.25"W x...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Upholstered Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A comfortable and stylish Jens Risom upholstered armchair, circa 1950s. Rare design with original early label still intact.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Set of Club Chairs in Mohair by Jens Risom, C. 1960
s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Discover the timeless allure of a rare set of club chairs designed by Jens Risom in the late 1960s, now meticulously restored for a contemporary touch. The walnut legs have undergone...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
Related Items
Danish Deco Green Mohair Club Chair
Located in New York, NY
Soft curves and plump, round forms characterize this Danish Deco club chair. Made in the 1950s, the chair is mahogany with green mohair and matching rope trimming. We love the channe...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Jens Risom Set of 12 Upholstered Oak Dining Side Chairs, USA 1960
s
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
A set of twelve side chairs in oak and upholstery by Jens Risom.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Cowhide, Walnut
$5,440 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.5 in W 27 in D 26 in
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
One mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Knoll originally in 1946. This early design has a hard maple frame with new linen upholstery.
Category
1950s Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Rare Jens Risom Walnut
Light Fabric Floating Lounge Chair, 1953
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Jens Risom, this lounge chair was made exclusively for the model year 1953. It features a frame of solid carved walnut and is upholstered in a light floral fabric. Then d...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Jens Risom Model 652-W lounge chair for KnollStudio, originally designed in 1941 and still celebrated as one of the icons of mid-century modern design. This timeless piece fe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$2,350
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Pair of Yellow Gold Mohair Velvet Oversized Upholstered Cube Club Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Pair of mid century style matching oversized cube chairs newly upholstered in a yellow gold mohair fabric supported on a chrome base.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$6,200 / set
H 26 in W 38 in D 38 in
A pair of Italian upholstered club chairs, C. 1960.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The frames with slightly arched backs, square arms, and recessed floating bases. The new fabric gives them a fresh, modern look and they are ready to adorn your interiors.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
1960
s Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage barrel-back Mid-Century Modern club chair for sale. Very solidly built, and very comfortable. It's a tufted chair, and needs to be reupholstered. It has a solid wood base wit...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Wood
Jens Risom for Knoll lounge chair pair
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
One of the first commissioned chairs produced by Knoll. This example was manufactured in 2000; and is not currently being manufactured by Knoll. Both retain tags. Sold as a pair.
N...
Category
Early 2000s North American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Cotton
Handsome Jens Risom Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Designed by Danish-born Jens Risom, this vintage chair is beautiful perfection. The comfortably contoured faux leather seat floats in an exquisite, oiled walnut frame. The original ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Walnut
$2,760 Sale Price
20% Off
H 39 in W 27.5 in D 29 in
Previously Available Items
Lounge Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A lounge chair with sculpted walnut base designed by Jens Risom. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Winter White.
Category
1950s Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Jens Risom Large Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs, Inc. Beautifully restored with refinished walnut base and upholstered in
Holly Hunt / Vladimir: Silver Fog.
Category
1960s Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern "Playboy" lounge chair or club chair
By Jens Risom
USA, 1960s
Sculpted solid walnut frame, with original olive green Naugahyde upholstery.
M...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs, Walnut and Knoll Bouclé
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of model U-420 lounge chairs by Jens Risom in highly figured walnut and Knoll Classic Boucle "Smoke". Refinished and reupholstered.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Jens Risom Easy Chair and Ottoman Model U333 and U790, 1959
By Jens Risom
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Jens Risom lounge chair (Model Number U 333 Easy Chair) and matching ottoman (Model Number U 790). This chair and ottoman set are very comfortable. They are structurally sound with...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Playboy Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and iconic pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut model C140 "Playboy" armchairs designed by Jens Risom. The chairs feature stunning sculpted solid walnut frames a...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Risom for Risom Inc. pair of lounge chairs with articulated arms, original vintage condition with wear and patina on arms and legs. Upholstery original.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of large scale lounge chairs with walnut bases. Designed by Jens Risom. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt Cobblestone fabric.
Category
1960s Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Lounge Chair and Ottoman Designed by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Sleek and spacious lounge chair and ottoman designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom designs, 1960s. Walnut bases are in great condition. New cream linen upholstery and cushions.
Measu...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Floating Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Jens Risom floating lounge chairs.
Frames are black lacquered walnut with a satin finish and have new foam and blue cotton...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Jens Risom "Playboy" Club Chairs, Pair
By Jens Risom
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Mid-Century Modern model C140 "Playboy" armchairs designed by Jens Risom. The chairs feature stunning sculpted solid walnut frames and original light blue viny...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom 65 Series Skate Lounges
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs.
Chrome base in excellent condition, newly upholstered in navy blue washed velvet.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Club Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Jens Risom club chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Jens Risom club chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jens Risom club chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original club chairs by Jens Risom were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider club chairs by Florence Knoll, George Nelson, and Flair Furniture. Prices for Jens Risom club chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,395 and can go as high as $6,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,648.
Creators Similar to Jens Risom
Questions About Jens Risom Club Chairs
- Who is Jens Risom?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Jens Risom was a Danish designer. Many people credit him with bringing the modern style of Scandinavian design to the U.S. He is well-known for his chairs, which feature angled seat backs often upholstered with webbing. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Jens Risom furniture.
- Was Jens Risom Danish?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Jens Risom was Danish. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 8, 1916, and attended Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design. Following his graduation, Risom moved to the U.S., where he lived for the rest of his life. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Jens Risom furniture.
- Who sells Jens Risom rockers?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Normally, vintage furniture dealers or auction and online platforms specializing in authentic vintage furniture sell Jens Risom rockers. From time to time, rocking chairs produced by the Danish designer may appear at thrift shops and secondhand stores or be available directly from individuals who own them. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Jens Risom chairs.