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.
Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Aluminum
Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Aluminum
$179Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Knoll International 1601 Model Stackable Chairs by Don Albinson 1970s
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Debrecen, HU
Mid-century modern comfort and durability – Don Albinson’s classic design! Discover the iconic stackable chair from the 1970s, designed by Don Albinson for Knoll International. The ...
Aluminum
$10,609 / set
H 33.08 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Roland Rainer's set of 8 mid century modern stacking chairs model P7
By Roland Rainer
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV-151 Roland Rainer (1910-2004) Set of 8 mid century modern stacking chairs model P7 in curved plywood. Manufacture Emil & Al...
Wood
$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.49 in W 18.9 in D 19.3 in
1960's Dutch Industrial Design Stacking Chairs
By Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Industrial Design Stacking Chair set of 10 pieces. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's period. Designed in the manner of Willy Van Der Meeren. These have no mak...
Metal
$1,060
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Set of 4 Vintage Knoll Stacking Chairs, Model 1601 by Don Albinson, 1960s
By Knoll
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 4 Vintage Stacking Chairs by Don Albinson for Knoll, Model 1601, 1964 A striking set of four original Knoll stacking chairs, designed by D...
Metal
$6,500 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.33 in D 17.72 in
Stackable Aluflex chairs by Armin Wirth for Hans Zollinger Sohne, Switzerland
By Armin Wirth, Hans Zollinger Sohre
Located in Almelo, NL
Stackable Aluflex chairs designed by Armin Wirth for Hans Zollinger Sohre in Switzerland in 1951. This set features six Aluflex folding chairs, a remarkable design by Armin Wirth, ...
Aluminum
1970’s German set of chairs by Gerd Lange
By Gerd Lange
Located in London, Lambeth
A set of 8 stackable chairs by Gerd Lange in 1973 and produced by Thonet Each chair feature an ash bentwood frame ,solid ash legs ,black lacquered Aluminum armrests ,and PVC seats c...
Ash
$1,001 / set
H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
40/4 chairs by David Rowland for Seid international, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 40/4 stackable chairs designed by David Rowland for Seid international. Fine chromed metal frames with grey upholstered plywood seats and backrests. These chairs where com...
Chrome
$15,900 / set
H 32 in W 22.75 in D 23 in
Set of Six T Dining Chairs Designed by Katavolos & Littell & Kelley
By Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos
Located in Stamford, CT
A set of 6 black leather and polished chrome T dining chairs designed by Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos. Original leather in good co...
Leather
Uncommon Height Desk Chair from Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very rare model from Arthur Umanoff. Special height chair believed to be used with his rush and birch desks he produced in the era. Note the stool seat height is 19-20" (chair seat is curved). All original with the original swivel metal foot glides and the swivel seat mechanism. Height 31.25". 18" wide and deep. Low foot rest...
Steel
Early Chair Attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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 ...
Raymond Loewy Chair
By Arvin Industries, Raymond Loewy
Located in South Charleston, WV
Measures: 28.5" tall, 15.25" wide, 18.5" deep with seat height of 16.5". Raymond Loewy for Arvin Furniture, Circa 1960's. This diminutive and petite chair is for use as a dining chai...
Iron
Vintage Gio Ponti Style Black Ladder Back Dining Pair of Chairs
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in South Charleston, WV
Signed Made in Italy to both examples. Set of 2 Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in the Style of Gio Ponti Elevate your dining experience with these elegant, Italian-made w...
Rush
Extraordinary Sculpted Armchair in the style of Carlo De Carli
By Jens Risom
Located in South Charleston, WV
Chair by unknown maker. 29" tall, 26" wide and 32" deep. Seat graduates from 16.5 in front to 14.5 at rear. Wood unknown. Reupholstered in Blue Velour. Photo of chair as it was orig...
Birch
Baumritter Danish Style Lounge Chair
By Baumritter
Located in South Charleston, WV
Very reasonably priced armchair by Baumritter. 29.25" tall (excluding cushion), 28" wide, 30.5" deep. Chair produced 1970's. Originally it came with 5 straps running back to front, w...
Fabric, Birch
