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.
Jorge Pensi Toledo Armchair for Knoll, Cast Aluminum, 1985
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jorge Pensi for Knoll Toledo Chairs! Sold by the piece! At least 20 available! Most of the arms show scratches and marks from underside of tables...
Aluminum
From $590 / item
+ 1 moreH 31 in W 21 in D 20 in
Gandia Blasco Stack Dining Armchair in Aluminum by Borja Garcia
By Gandia Blasco, Borja García
Located in New York, NY
Stack is Gandiablasco’s most free-and-easy collection of outdoor furniture. Inspired by aesthetics from the world of sailing, it is refreshingly reminiscent of the retro elegance of ...
Aluminum
1980s Knoll Jorge Pensi Amat Toledo Chair Spain Postmodern
By Amat-3, Jorge Pensi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Toledo chair stackable designed by Jorge Pensi for Amat 3 Spain for Knoll Organic and streamlined shape lightweight cast aluminum. Unmarked. Dye cast alum...
Aluminum
$8,142 / set
H 28.75 in W 18.12 in D 17.92 in
Set 8 Stackable Chairs in Chromed & Ecru Bouclé By K. Takahama for Simon Gavina
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Roma, IT
I am offering for sale a set consisting of 8 "TULU" chairs, designed in the late 60s by the Japanese designer Kazhide Takahama for the historic company Simon Gavina. The "TULU" chair...
Chrome
$3,156
H 30.52 in W 18.71 in D 20.48 in
Sabine Marcelis, Stedelijk Chair, Set of 2, Aluminium, Modernist, 2024
By Sabine Marcelis
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Stedelijk Chair is the first chair by Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis. Commissioned by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, renowned for its design collection, it has a strong characte...
Aluminum
$407Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 30.32 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Baleri Italia Juliette Stackable Chair in Steel by Hannes Wettstein
By Hannes Wettstein, Baleri Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Out of the frenetic turmoil of Wettstein's design activity, one day emerged the idea of a chair; defying all known logic, the structure of the back, curved forwards. With this idea a...
Steel
$1,040 / item
H 31.03 in W 15.24 in D 15.24 in
Contemporary Chair 'Tasca' by Pedro Sottomayor X FRAMA, Aluminum
By Pedro Sottomayor, Frama
Located in Paris, IDF
Tasca Chair by FRAMA Studio Designer / Maker : Pedro Sottomayor and FRAMA Studio Material / Color : Aluminum Finish: Hand brushed, untreated Dimensions : Height 78,8 cm / Width 38,...
Metal, Aluminum
$3,156
H 30.52 in W 18.71 in D 20.48 in
Sabine Marcelis, Stedelijk Chair, Set of 2, Aluminium, Modernism, 2024
By Sabine Marcelis
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Stedelijk Chair is the first chair by Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis. Commissioned by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, renowned for its design collection, it has a strong characte...
Aluminum
$1,300
H 26 in W 26 in D 28.25 in
2022 Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Lounge Chair w/ Aluminum Frame
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Lounge Chair, Model 1966-25, originally designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular example dates to 2022. The chair is construct...
Aluminum
From $1,150 / item
+ 1 moreH 35 in W 34 in D 28 in
Gandia Blasco Stack High Back Lounge Chair in Aluminum by Borja Garcia
By Borja García, Gandia Blasco
Located in New York, NY
Stack is Gandiablasco’s most free-and-easy collection of outdoor furniture. Inspired by aesthetics from the world of sailing, it is refreshingly reminiscent of the retro elegance of ...
Aluminum
Pair of Model SS33 Chrome Bauhaus Style Arm Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of vintage Model SS33 chrome Bauhaus style arm chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition and measure 23"W x 22"D x 29"H with a ...
Chrome
Philippe Starck Chrome Masters Barstool for Kartell
By Philippe Starck
Located in San Diego, CA
Masters single barstool, the legs lengthen and the seat becomes more compact, but the unmistakable graphic style of the structure, created by interweaving the silhouettes of three i...
Plastic
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern Samsonite Outdoor Patio Steel Tube Armchairs
By Samsonite, Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible, unique and rare pair of vintage midcentury outdoor armchairs with flat tubular steel frames and multicolored plastic slats. The white milky frame against the gold and ora...
Stainless Steel
Post-Modern Model 4855 Armchair Chair by Anna Castelli for Kartell
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool post-modern Model 4855 armchair chair by Anna Castelli for Kartell, circa 1990s. The cockpit shaped structure has curved armrests with a round midsection and detachable section...
Metal
Postmodern Pair of Side Chairs by Denis Balland For Fermob France in Lacquer
By Fermob
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical pair of folding chairs very rare hard to find, Lacquered steel frame with plastic rollers for folding, seat and back of lacquered wood slats. Designed by Denis Balland...
Metal
American Mid-Century Modern Patio Chairs by Vista of California 3 Available
By Vista of California
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find 1950s, American, Mid-Century, Atomic age iron chairs solid with upholstered seats in fair condition very easy to replace it we have 3 available sold separately buyer has...
Metal
