Jens Risom desk

This large executive desk was designed by Jens Risom and produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark during the 1960s. Executed in rosewood with elements of walnut, steel, and black lacquered metal, it belongs to the Scandinavian modern tradition while carrying Risom’s distinctly international outlook shaped by his career in both Denmark and the United States. The desk is accompanied by a matching small cabinet or sideboard, conceived as part of the same office system.

The form is rectilinear and functional, with a broad rectangular top supported by cylindrical legs in rosewood, finished with steel leveling feet. The front of the desk is flanked by two drawer sections, each composed of four drawers with characteristic Y-shaped black lacquered metal pulls mounted on circular steel backplates. These handles, with their industrial precision, provide a striking contrast against the warm, heavily figured rosewood veneer. The rear of the desk features open shelving and closed compartments, allowing the piece to serve both practical storage functions and an architectural presence in the room.

The rosewood surface displays vivid grain patterns with dramatic symmetry, characteristic of the Brazilian rosewood Risom favored during this period. The rich tonal variation of the wood, ranging from deep brown to almost black veining, is enhanced by the restoration, which has preserved its original character while ensuring durability. The construction reflects Risom’s disciplined modernist approach, balancing functionality with refined detailing.

Jens Risom, trained under Kaare Klint before emigrating to the United States in 1939, became one of the pivotal figures in shaping modern furniture in postwar America. His designs combined Danish craftsmanship with the efficiency and scale of American production. The executive desk for Gutenberghus is among his rarer works produced in Denmark, underscoring the cross-Atlantic dialogue within his practice.

The piece remains in good vintage condition with minor signs of age and use, fully restored to preserve its appearance and structural integrity. It exemplifies mid-century Scandinavian modern design with a strong executive presence and meticulous materiality.

Dimensions: width 203 cm (79.9 in), depth 91 cm (35.8 in), height 72 cm (28.3 in).