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.
$4,224
H 30.32 in W 31.89 in D 35.83 in
Artifort F518 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt in Leather, 1970's
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This iconic F518 lounge chair, designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 1960s, is a true collector’s item that perfectly embodies mid-century modern elegance with contempora...
Metal
$2,650
H 38.98 in W 29.93 in D 36.23 in
De Sede DS-264 Lounge Chair by Mathias Hoffmann, Swiss Leather Design
By De Sede, Mathias Hoffmann
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Swiss craftsmanship, the DS-264 lounge chair by De Sede embodies sculptural presence, tactile luxury, and uncompromising comfort. Designed with the brand’s ...
Steel
Eva Leather Swivel Chair
By Enrico Pellizzoni
Located in Milan, IT
Eva swivel chair has a rigid polyurethane shell in white leather with a thin seat cushion integrated and four star base with height adjustment in chrome. Engraved logo on the back.
Leather
Joe Colombo Swivel "Elda" Leather Lounge Chair
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Lounge chair designed by Joe Colombo (1930-1971) in 1963 model "Elda"for Comfort. Made of fiberglass structure upholstered with black and white leather which make it very unique. It ...
Bouclé, Fiberglass
$7,060
H 39.77 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
H. W. Klein Lounge Chair mode 207 in orignal leather and tilt function
By H.W. Klein, Bramin Mobler
Located in Esbjerg, DK
H. W. Klein lounge chair in original black leather Teak base in tilt function. Model 207, made by Bramin
Leather, Teak
$7,000 / item
H 41 in W 33 in D 32 in
CraftAssociates Lounge Chairs, Vadar Modern Leather Lounge Chair, Wingback
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Lounge Chairs, Vadar Modern Leather Lounge Chair, Wingback These wing chairs are expertly crafted and upholstered. This wing chair represents the largest lounge chai...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
$5,000 / item
H 31 in W 27 in D 24.25 in
Mario Bellini Cab Lounge Chair by Cassina, Leather & Steel, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The seat has a rounded...
Steel
De Sede DS 50 Leather Longue Chair
By De Sede
Located in Čelinac, BA
De Sede DS 50 Leather Longue Chair
Leather
$2,950
H 28.35 in W 26.78 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Leather Alky Lounge Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli & Artifort
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Almelo, NL
Vintage Leather Alky Lounge Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli & Artifort, Italy, 1970s Description: This striking Alky lounge chair is a celebrated piece of Italian design by ...
Aluminum, Steel
$4,118
H 36.23 in W 33.08 in D 33.86 in
Durlet Lounge Chair 1976 Heiner Golz with Wood Base and Leather Seat
By Durlet
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
1970s charly lounge swivel chair designed by Heiner Gölz for Durlet. The chair has a cognac leather upholstery and a dark wooden leg. It was found in an architectural house from the ...
Leather
Paul McCobb Directional Lounge Chairs by Custom Craft 1950s in Black Leather
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional pair of Directional lounge chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Custom Craft in the 1950s, fully restored and reupholstered in smooth black leather. These rare examples ...
Leather, Wood
Swivel Lounge Chairs by Milo Bauhman for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of swivel lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, 1976. Chairs are in excellent condition and have been professionally restored with a new perennial textile a...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Karuselli Tilt & Swivel Lounge Chair by Yrjo Kukkapuro for Haimi Finland 1960s
By Yrjö Kukkapuro, Haimi
Located in Dallas, TX
Karuselli tilt and swivel lounge chair by Yrjo Kukkapuro for Haimi of Finland in original terracotta leather with a chocolate brown fiberglass frame. This model 418 easy chair is con...
Leather, Fiberglass
Pair of "Tentazione" chairs in Black Leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Dallas, TX
"Tentazione, pair of chairs - model 685 represents a significant work by the acclaimed designer Mario Bellini from the 1970s for Cassina. This piece exemplifies the celebrated union ...
Steel
Lounge Chairs Designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll International
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production lounge chairs model 1715L designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll. Both chairs are in very good original condition with bronze wire construction. The Platner Colle...
Bronze
P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani Chair for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. The lounge, with an extendable footrest, is designed to recline and can be set in several posit...
Brass, Steel
