In 1952 Richard Nissen was the third generation Nissen to be director at a family-owned wood factory in Langå, Denmark called Nissens Trævarefabrik. Richard Nissen worked extensively to change the profile of the company towards being a producer of design items and furniture. In 1955 Nissen connected the artist Jens H. Quistgaard to create everyday items. Three years later, Nissen bought the factory from his father.
Nissens Trævarefabrik came to play a big part in the Danish design wave during the second part of the 20th century. From 1955 to 1971 Nissen collaborated with the American company DANSK bringing Danish design to the USA. During the 1970’s Nissens Traevarefabrik was one of the largest manufacturers of design objects in Denmark but in 1980’s the company hit hard times and it was subsequently sold to the Bodum Group in 1990.
Richard Nissen also made designs in his own name, of which the Yin Chair is the most well-known, despite only being produced in 100 copies. The Yin chair was inspired by an old Chinese furniture culture. The top rail is made from a total of six parts with wedges, that form an ox horn shape.
