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.
PK 12 Chair by Poul Kjaerholm, 1964
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York, NY
PK 12 chair with hand braided brown leather armrest and stainless steel frame. Seat upholstered in brown leather. Originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm, 1964. Ed...
Blown Glass
Africana Chair by Norman Teague
By Norman Teague
Located in New York, NY
"Africana Chair" in solid basswood, with leather seat by Yohance Lacour. Designed by Norman Teague and produced by Norman Teague Design Studios, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 2020.
Leather, Wood
"Daav" Chair by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
"Daav" chair in imbuia wood with black upholstered seat and metal base. Designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1983, this example was custom made for R 20th century, 2004.
Wood
"Awa" side chair by Babacar Niang
By Babacar Niang
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural "Awa" side chair in metal and leather. Designed and made by Babacar Niang, Senegal, 2014.
Metal
PK 13 "Free Swinger" Cantilevered Armchair by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1974
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York, NY
PK 13 "Free Swinger" cantilevered armchair with chrome-plated spring steel frame and natural brown leather cushion. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Chris...
Steel
Same Wavelength Chair by Luam Melake
Located in New York, NY
Luam Melake. Same Wavelength Chair. 2022. Polyurethane foam, urethane, and dye.
Foam
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Postmodern 1980s whimsical sculptural chair in brown cardboard and reminiscent of Frank Gehry's Wiggle Chair. The chair is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. It certainly adds playful flair and amusement to your space. Condition is good vintage condition with some minimal and acceptable signs of wear. Dimensions as follows: Depth: 22.5 in (57 cm), width: 20 in (51 cm), height: 34.25 in (87 cm), seat height: 17.3 in (44 cm). Having established his own firm in Los Angeles in 1961, Gehry saw a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his office and started to experiment. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring his grandfather’s hardware shop, Gehry set about creating the Easy Edges furniture series, highlighting the strength and versatility of cardboard. “I discovered that by alternating the direction of layers of corrugations, the finished board had enough strength to support a small car...
Paper
Robert Venturi Post-Modern 'Chippendale' Chairs for Knoll International, c. 1985
By Robert Venturi, Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 featuring a black c...
Leather, Laminate, Plywood
'Placide of Wood' Chair by Philippe Starck for Driade Italy, 1990s
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Postmodern - Side chair - Philippe Starck Measures : 90 cm Height - 45 cm Width - 50 cm Depth - Seat Height: 42 cm. This chair is the "Placide of Wood," designed by Philippe Starck f...
Wood
Robert Venturi "Chippendale" Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in New York, NY
Black laminate plywood, black leather seat. Six available.
Leather
Dietiker Rey Junior Chair, Mid-Century Modern, Beech Wood, Designed by Bruno Rey
By Bruno Rey, Dietiker
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
This is the children version of the famous Rey chair. Referred to as "the most successful piece of Swiss Furniture of all time" by the Swiss Museum of Design in Zurich, the Rey chair is a Swiss design icon since 1971. Designed by Bruno Rey, the Rey chair is famed internationally for its elegance and style. Like the original, the Junior edition is constructed with Dietiker’s patented screw less wood-to-metal connection. The solid execution and rounded edges are perfectly suited for children. The chair is made with care from solid beechwood, with die cast aluminum consoles and glides. - rounded edges for children safety - timeless design - unique screwless patented wood-metal connection - Rey Junior...
Beech
Enzo Mari, Side Chair, Plywood, Beech, Italy, 1980s
By Enzo Mari
Located in High Point, NC
A plywood and beech side chair or dining room chairs designed by Enzo Mari and produced by Driade, Italy, c. 1980. Scratching present to wood consistent with age and use Wear consi...
Wood, Beech, Plywood
