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 Modern Spindle "Andover" Armchair By Davis Allen
By Davis Allen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic spindle frame armchair was designed by industrial and interior architect Davis Allen in 1983. This chair features a solid beech wood frame that is lacquered in a muted sa...
Beech, Lacquer, Fabric, Chenille
$479Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30.625 in W 17.25 in D 18 in
Jens Risom Side Chairs for Knoll (Two Available)
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Knoll Jens Risom chairs. Simple classic and honest design made this side or dining chair so popular that its still in production today. Made from solid walnut wood and natural cotto...
Cotton, Walnut
Knoll Mid Century Hat Trick Chair Single
By Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Knoll Mid Century Hat Trick Chair Single This chair measures: 19.75 wide x 21 deep x 34 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Chair ...
Wood
Early Chair Attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very early chair that is attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll. The chair features a vinyl type finish that is in good condition with a few marks and light staining. The legs have ...
$620Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 23.5 in D 22 in
American Midcentury Knoll Studio Armchair by Linda & Joseph Ricchio
By Joe & Linda Ricchio, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful single armchair by Knoll great condition solid and sturdy. retains medallion with signature and date.
Upholstery, Beech
Patricia Urquiola Designed 'Nub' Chair
By Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This spindle back chair in ebonized wood was designed for Andreu World by Patricia Urquiola. Deriving its form from the famous 1960s chair by Yngve Ekström, it features wood spindles...
Wood
Edward Wormley Alexandria Chair by Dunbar, Mid-Century, 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Alexandria Chair. Newly refinished and re-upholstered. Elegant and Beautiful Design that makes any space!
Upholstery, Wood
Rodolfo Dordoni Dine Out Chair For Cassina
By Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rodolfo Dordoni Dine Out Chair For Cassina The Dine Out family of furnishings by Rodolfo Dordoni is crafted to enhance outdoor dining rooms in the pursuit of comfort, camaraderie a...
Teak
Franco Albini for Knoll Model 48 Arm Chair
By Gio Ponti, Knoll, Franco Albini, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful No. 48 chair designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll. The chair was offered from 1949 until 1967. Blonde wood architectural frame. Upholstery appears to have been...
Wood
$1,718Sale Price|20% Off
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
1940's Palle Suenson armchair, Danish designer
By Jacob Kjaer, Palle Suenson
Located in Sherborne, GB
This is an exquisite sculpted armchair in rosewood, designed by Danish modernist architect Palle Suenson for Jacob Kjaer, it dates from 1948. It was made in Denmark. The chair real...
Leather, Rosewood
Arte Sano, Cognac Leather Rocking Chair, Colombia, 1970's
By Arte Sano
Located in Sherborne, GB
This rocking chair is designed by Biermann Werner for Arte Sano. German-born designer Werner Biermann settled in Colombia in the 1930s an...
Leather, Pine
Pair of PEL tubular chrome lounge armchairs, English 1930s
Located in Sherborne, GB
A pair of fantastic 1930's tubular chrome PEL chairs, these have been refreshed for today with new beautiful wool bouclé upholstery. Practical Equipment Ltd, known later simply as PEL, were the leading manufacturers of modernist tubular steel furniture in Britain. Established in Oldbury, near Birmingham the company was formed in 1931 by parent company Tube Investments, who were seeking to develop new markets and hoped to emulate the success of Thonet in producing tubular steel furniture. Critically acclaimed projects which featured PEL furniture...
Chrome
Pair of French iron architectural chairs, 1940s
Located in Sherborne, GB
A wonderful pair of sculptural and architectural side chairs. They are beaten iron that seems to have been painted green in an earlier life. They have the most pleasing and interesti...
Iron
EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design
By Ernest Race
Located in Sherborne, GB
A Classic piece of British design, this early DA sofa designed by Ernest Race has a welded steel frame with coil sprung seats and beech legs. Recently r...
Steel
Faux Bamboo Cane Hollywood Regency Dining Chairs
By French House & Garden
Located in Sherborne, GB
A set of four superb French dining chairs, in a lacquered wood finish. These are styled in faux bamboo with a white cane work seat and sides. These chairs sit with a generous seat (w...
Beech
