Jens Risom is well-known among mid-century aficionados as a designer of Danish modern furniture. We at Mid-Century Vibe have acquired a lovely Jens Risom floating top desk with an interesting back-story.
This walnut desk is secretary-sized with a return. It has three drawers, one of which is locking. (Yes, we still have the key!) The return has one door, which opens to reveal two adjustable file shelves. The entire desk features a wrap-around modesty panel (from the days when a secretary needed a little something to prevent people from looking up her skirt).
Mr. Vibe has refinished the entire desk with a generous application of Danish oil.
And now for the interesting back-story. Mr. Vibe found this desk at a small-town bank, a bank formerly known as American National Bank. In trying to track down whether the desk was original to the bank, Mr. Vibe found the original architecture firm after doing research at the Morrison County Historical Society (that’s a plug for Ms. Vibe’s day job!). He paid a visit to said architecture firm and was astonished to discover that it had retained all the plans for the original bank, completed in 1959. Not only did the firm still have plans for the building, it had kept information related to the renovation of the bank in the 1970s, including furnishings and wall coverings. Guess what was listed on the furniture list? This desk.
Furniture specs for American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1977.
Mr. Vibe’s research also uncovered this invitation to the grand opening of American National Bank in 1959.
This spectacular desk is available at MidModMen+friends, 2401 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN.
**SOLD**
60″ wide x 30″ deep x 30″ high. Return is 39″ long x 16.5″ deep x 26″ high.
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P.S. We also have the officer desk with officer credenza in the refinish queue.