Jens Risom 1916–2016
Often credited with bringing the Scandinavian look to America, Jens Risom crafted enduring, modern furnishings throughout his lengthy career as a designer. Born in Copenhagen in 1916, Risom’s father Sven was a prominent architect. As a young man, he attended the Copenhagen School of Industrial arts and Design where he studied under the Danish masters, Ole Wanscher and Kaare Klint. After graduation, Risom cut his teeth in the design department of Sweden’s Nordiska Kompaniet, before moving to the United States in 1939. In New York City, Risom found freelance work with Dan Cooper and became acquainted with a driven young immigrant from Germany named Hans Knoll. Looking to expand his small company, Knoll asked Risom if he would be interested in designing furniture and interiors for clients around the city. Risom agreed, and in 1942, the duo published the first catalog for the Hans Knoll Company showcasing fifteen pieces from Risom’s 600 line. The inaugural collection included chairs, stools and lounges expertly crafted from spare wood with webbed seats woven from surplus parachute straps (a result of wartime material shortages). Their ingenuity paid off and the venture effectively launched the careers of both men and ushered in a new era of American design.
Auction Results Jens Risom
Jens Risom
wastebaskets, collection of seven
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $10,625
Jens Risom
lounge chair and ottoman
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $8,750
Jens Risom
settee
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $6,875
Jens Risom
wastepaper baskets, set of six
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $6,250
Jens Risom
lounge chairs model U-416, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $6,175
Jens Risom
benches model T621, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $5,625
Jens Risom
wastepaper baskets, set of eight
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $5,000
Jens Risom
wastepaper baskets, set of six
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $4,375
Jens Risom
wastepaper baskets, collection of eight
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,128
Jens Risom
Freeshape coffee table, model T-362
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,500
Jens Risom
Wingback lounge chair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,500
Jens Risom
magazine table, model T539
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $3,500
Jens Risom
magazine table, model T539
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $3,500
Jens Risom
magazine table
estimate: $900–1,200
result: $2,457
Jens Risom
magazine table, model T539
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $2,375
Jens Risom
bench, model T621
estimate: $300–500
result: $2,304
Jens Risom
666 WSP dining chairs, set of six
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $2,300
Jens Risom
wastebaskets model 8-35, set of five
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $2,125
Jens Risom
U-251, sofa
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $2,032
Jens Risom
wastebaskets, collection of five
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,000
Jens Risom
desk
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $1,875
Jens Risom
coffee table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,840
Jens Risom
dining chairs model C-170, set of six
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $1,820
Jens Risom
dining chairs model 666USP, set of four
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $1,625