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.
$600
H 40 in W 27 in D 26 in
Modern Knoll Open Up Black Leather Ergonomic Chair Designed by Mathias Seiler
By Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The open up chair is a fully adjustable ergonomic office task chair, feature a sleek modern look with a slim contoured leather seat and a generous reclining ba...
Steel
$1,100
H 40 in W 25.5 in D 21.5 in
Knoll Bulldog Executive Ergonomic Office Desk Chair in Black Leather, Adjustable
By Knoll, Michael McCoy
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Knoll Bulldog executive desk chair is a classic ergonomic office chair, designed by Dale Fahnstrom and Michael McCoy in 1990 for Knoll. Known for its...
Aluminum, Steel
$950 / item
H 36.5 in W 25 in D 26.5 in
2000 Richard Sapper for Knoll Management Desk Chairs in Black Leather
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Sapper Series Management Desk Chairs, designed by Richard Sapper in 1979. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the year 2000. This is one of Sapper's most ic...
Steel
$800 / item
H 40 in W 26.5 in D 28 in
Black Leather Desk Chair by Richard Sapper for Knoll Inc/Knoll Intl, France 1992
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Leather Office chair for Knoll Inc/Knoll International, France 1992. Original leather in excellent condition.
Leather
$1,250 / item
H 36.5 in W 25 in D 26.5 in
1997 Richard Sapper for Knoll Executive Desk Chair in Black Leather
By Richard Sapper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sapper Executive Desk chair, initially designed by Richard Sapper for Knoll in 1979. These examples date to 1997. They feature black leather...
Steel
$1,350
H 31.5 in W 26.25 in D 28.25 in
1984 Charles Pollock for Knoll Desk Chair in Black Leather and Chrome
By Charles Pollock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pollock Executive Chair, designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll in 1963. This particular example dates to 1984. The design features an aluminum frame, and has a padded seat ...
Aluminum
$600 / item
H 33 in W 26.5 in D 24.5 in
Don Chadwick Bill Stumpf Herman Miller black leather Equa chair
By Don Chadwick, Herman Miller
Located in Ferndale, MI
Herman Miller Equa swivel , tilt , height adjustable office / desk / task chair . Designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick who famously 10 years lat...
Aluminum
$600
H 38 in W 28 in D 26 in
Steelcase Leap Ergonomic Office Desk Chair in Black Leather, Fully Adjustable
By Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Leap ergonomic chair provides a healthier way to sit for whoever sits in it, for perfect support, comfort, and performance all day long. Back support LiveBack technology conforms...
Steel
$2,800
H 40.25 in W 23 in D 23 in
Eames Herman Miller Aluminum Group black leather swivel tilt executive chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Executive Chair Model EA420, designed in 1969 by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller . This chair is stamped 1992 . Soft black leather upholstery ...
Aluminum
$600 / item
H 40 in W 27 in D 23 in
Steelcase Think Ergonomic Executive Desk Chair in Black Leather Fully Adjustable
By Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Think chair is an ergonomic executive desk chair that makes you feel good from the first moment you sit to the last. A recipient of numerous awards. As you change position, it senses...
Steel
