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.
Rare Pair of Vladimir Kagan Dining Chairs with Arms. Excellent Condition.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Pair of Vladimir Kagan Dining Chairs with Arms. Expertly refinished and reupholstered. No signs of wear. Ready to place. We have four more of these.
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair Planner Group Arm Chairs by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group, 1950s
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Arm Chairs. Solid Maple construction with original black lacquer finish. Original condition with wear. Structurally sound and ready to use.
Maple
Rare Pair Dunbar Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather, Mahogany Frames, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare and desirable high back Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Both chairs are completely original. The original black leather has no tears, scuffs, or repairs and show slight stretching on the seats. The mahogany frames show light signs of use in the form of light scratches and nicks, but no distractions. These are excellent examples of this important design, clearly well cared for over the years. Acquired from the original owner. Signed with the gold Dunbar metal...
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Side Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful pair of Edward Wormley armchairs. Great side chairs for any room or as dining chairs.
Mahogany, Upholstery
Pair Frank Gehry Power Play Chairs, Ottomans for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition.
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair (two) Power play chairs and ottomans designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll in very good condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs to the wood ...
Maple
Pair Hans Wegner pp112 British Chair, 1978. Excellent Condition. Signed.
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two Hans Wegner Model pp 112 British Chairs for pp Mobler, Denmark, 1978.. This easy chair is light and elegant, a brilliant example of designer Hans Wegner's insistence on traditio...
Cord, Oak
Set of 2 Gastone Rinaldi for Fasem Italy dining chairs, 1980’s
Located in Delft, NL
Designer: Gastone Rinaldi Manufacturer: Fasem Origin: Italy Period: 1980’s Color: Black , Silver Material: Chrome, Fabric
Metal
Set of Postmodern Sculptural Dining Chairs by KFF Karl Friedrich, Germany, 1980s
By KFF, Karl Friedrich Förster
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of Postmodern Sculptural Dining Chairs by KFF Karl Friedrich, Germany, 1980s This sculptural set of four dining chairs by KFF Karl Friedrich is a rare and striking example of 19...
Metal
Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Model 54A Armchairs, Italy, 1975
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Model 54A Armchairs, Italy, 1975 Designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, this exceptional pair of Mode...
Steel
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 2
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of two The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair design and of Cassina’s masterfu...
Rope, Ash
Poggioli Sculptural Dining Chairs, 1970, Set of 2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Poggioli sculptural dining chairs, suede and burl, 1970, Italy, set of two. This set of two dining chairs by Poggioli, crafted in 1970, embodies an avant-garde fusion of design and ...
Suede, Wood
1986 Pair of Knoll Mandarin Dining Arm Chairs by Ettore Sottsass in Fabric
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of 'Mandarin’ Chairs, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Knoll in 1986. The listed price includes the pair. They have sculptural, black enameled-steel arms,...
Steel
