Jens Risom desk

This executive desk, designed by Jens Risom in the 1960s and produced by Jens Risom Design in the United States, presents a commanding presence through its generous proportions and refined material contrasts. The desk measures 173 cm in width, 91 cm in depth, and stands 72 cm high, its broad rectangular top crafted in warm-toned teak veneer over a solid teak substrate. The wood’s golden-brown surface displays the straight, even grain characteristic of well-aged teak, enlivened by occasional darker streaks that underscore its natural beauty. Along the perimeter of the top, a subtly rounded edge softens the profile while protecting the veneer from impact.

Beneath the work surface, two symmetrical pedestal cabinets support the desktop. Each pedestal contains four drawers—three of regular depth and one file drawer—whose fronts continue the teak veneer and are punctuated by distinctive Y-shaped handles in black lacquered metal. Each handle is mounted on a circular brushed-steel backplate, creating a sculptural motif that balances functional clarity with decorative flair. The drawers slide on steel runners and remain true in alignment, showing only the slightest patina to the metal surfaces where they have been most frequently operated.

Linking the pedestals is a recessed central stretcher, finished in matte black lacquer, which maintains an open field beneath the desk and grants legroom without compromising structural stability. At each corner, cylindrical teak legs descend to steel ferrules that elevate the desk slightly above the floor. These ferrules, in their brushed-steel finish, echo the drawer backplates and introduce an industrial note that contrasts elegantly with the warmth of the wood.

Jens Risom (1916–2016) was instrumental in transplanting Scandinavian modernism to the United States, blending functionalist principles with American scale and workmanship. After co-founding Hans Knoll Furniture Company, he launched his own studio in 1946, producing furniture that married native hardwoods with spare, thoughtfully detailed silhouettes. This executive desk emerged during the postwar expansion of corporate modern interiors, responding to a demand for furniture that was both practical for intensive use and expressive of modern design ideals.

The desk remains in very good original condition. The teak veneer retains its luster, with only minor surface marks and gentle wear at the drawer fronts—natural signs of light but respectful use over half a century. The black-lacquer stretcher shows no losses or flaking, and the steel ferrules and drawer hardware bear the faintest patina without corrosion.