As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
Mid Century Baby Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very rare "Baby" chair designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in the 50's. This lounge chair is very comfortable and classic elegant. This chair has been totally restored and reupholste...
Metal
Carlo Bartoli 'Solar' Lounge Chair for Arflex, Italy, 1967
By Arflex, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic Solar lounge chair designed by Carlo Bartoli for Arflex in 1967. A landmark of Italian Space Age design, the chair is sculpted from fiberglass and polyester resin with a hi...
Fiberglass
Single Nino Zoncada Armchair, France, 1960's
By Nino Zoncada
Located in New York, NY
A dynamic armchair freshly upholstered in faux shearling, the bold lines are accentuated by the faceted tapering ebonized legs 28x32x35 Seat 18 Arm 22
Upholstery, Wood
$3,566
H 27.56 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in
Galassia armchair by Ferdinando Buzzi for Ferruccio Brunati, 1970
By Franco Buzzi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Galassia armchair designed by Ferdinando Buzzi for Ferruccio Brunati , 70s. Structure in shockproof polystyrene and plastic coating, seat in cowhide l...
Leather, Plastic
$6,776
H 31.89 in W 32.29 in D 36.62 in
Canada P110 Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s - Original Upholstery
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Canada P110 Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s - Original Upholstery
Leather, Wood
Armchair Luigi Caccia Dominioni 1973 Modell TORO
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional, unique armchair made of faux fur was designed by Milanese architect and designer Luigi Caccia Dominioni (1913-2016). He designed the Armchair Toro in 1973 for Azuce...
Faux Fur
$41,610
H 34.65 in W 43.31 in D 37.01 in
Esfera Armchair by Ricardo Fasanello, Fiberglass & Leather, dessin c. 1969
By Ricardo Fasanello
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare and iconic "Esfera" armchair designed by Ricardo Fasanello in 1969. Executed in molded acrylic resin with leather upholstery and metal structure, this model is among the most ce...
Metal
$2,175
H 29.53 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Richard Schultz Armchair, 1966 Collection for Knoll, circa 1960, United States.
By Richard Schultz
Located in Brussels, BE
Richard Schultz armchair, "1966 Collection", design outdoor furniture for Knoll, circa 1960, United States. Cast aluminum with white weather-resistant powder-coated finish, breathab...
Aluminum, Steel
$6,526
H 25.6 in W 31.5 in D 28.35 in
Mid-Century Model F580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort groovy chair (or "M" Chair), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. This is the v...
Metal
Iconic Armchair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, c.1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, features the original deep red saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back legs feature a bla...
Steel
"Culbuto" Armchair by Marc Held for Knoll International, 1960s
By Knoll, Marc Held
Located in bruxelles, BE
High back armchair in black leather with moulded fibreglass shell. The chair can be tipped. Measure: Seat height: 40 cm. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIV...
Leather, Fiberglass
Elda Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, Italy 1960s
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Swivel armchair in beige canvas and black shell by Joe Colombo. Elda model. Seat height 40 cm. Wear due to time and age of armchair. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Fiberglass, Canvas
Lounge chair by Martin Grierson for Arflex, 1960s
By Martin Grierson, Arflex
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black leather armchairs with wooden and metal bases, designed by Martin Grierson in the 1960s. Turns on itself. Seat height: 38 cm. Wear due to age and use FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US ...
Metal
Armchair "Bambi" by Rolf Rastad & Adolf Relling for Gustav Bahus , 1950s
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in bruxelles, BE
Scandinavian wooden armchair with leather seat by Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad from the 1950s. Model: Bambi. Seat height: 44 cm. Wea...
Leather, Wood
Model 4801 Armchair by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Orange wooden armchair by Joe Colombo. The armchair is numbered. Dimensions: Seat height 34cm Wear due to time and age of the armchair. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST ...
Wood
Model 4801 Armchairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, set of 2
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 2 white wooden armchairs designed by Joe Colombo, Model 4801. Numbered 16. Seat height 34cm. Wear due to time and age.
Wood
