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.
Robert Venturi Sheraton chair for Knoll Postmodern 80s
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Robert Venturi chair for knoll Model: Sheraton Silkscreen printed pattern on black plywood. Rare model in famous Venturi's chairs in Knoll collection.
Plywood
Martin Visser SE20 chair 't Spectrum Netherlands 1988
By Martin Visser
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare two tone version of the SE20 chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by 't Spectrum, Netherlands in 1988. The chair is made from yellow and off-white painted plywood. This unique chair has a ultimate modernist and contemporary appearance. This design blends various shapes and design techniques seamlessly into one iconic piece. The backrest has a slight angle for comfort and a nicely curved seat. The front legs are ingeniously made in a triangle shape for stability and are placed in the opposite angle to the back legs. Its quite a heavy and solid chair and is partly hollow which is found in the seat. Its held together by chrome-plated bolts which are made visible and give that little extra to the design. Its a really playful chair and could act more as an art piece than an actual chair. Its also attractive from every side. The chair is in good original condition with minor wear from age. Provenance; Father of Nynke Tynagel, then Studio Job Collection...
Plywood
Bruno Rey Postmodern Chair For Dietiker 1970s
By Bruno Rey
Located in Čelinac, BA
Bruno Rey Chair For Dietiker 1970s
Wood
$90Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 16.54 in D 17.72 in
1990s Swiss Modern Chair in Painted Plywood & Chromed Steel
Located in Debrecen, HU
This 1990s Swiss modern chair reflects the purity and functionality often associated with Scandinavian design. The curved molded plywood seat and back form a soft, organic silhouette...
Steel
$702
H 28.75 in W 23.23 in D 17.72 in
sedia poltronova modello elisa design giovanni battista bassi 1964
By Poltronova
Located in taranto, IT
Sedia poltroncina modello "Elisa", disegnata da Giovanni Battista Bassi per Poltronova nel 1964. Misura cm 71 di altezza, cm 50 di profondità, cm 60 di larghezza e cm 45 di altezza...
Wood
Karl Friederich Forster Trix Chair Postmodern 1980s
By KFF
Located in Čelinac, BA
KFF Chair Trix Postmodern 1980s
Metal
'Fratina' Chair by Mario CEROLI, 1972 SIGNED
By Mario Ceroli
Located in Berlin, Berlin
A Totem Chair designed by Mario Ceroli. Italy, Poltronova, 1972. Two 'FRATINA' chairs by Mario Ceroli, produced by Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova. Unrefined Russian pine, stamped...
Pine
$2,500
H 32.29 in W 14.97 in D 22.84 in
Kim Steel and Plywood Chair Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Original 1980s
By Memphis Group, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Kim chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1987. Made of unique shaped black steel frame and bent plywood for back and seat. Memphis logo mark is on the back of the seat. This logo i...
Steel
Karel Links easy to assemble chair made in Netherlands 1968
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare constructivist “easy to assemble” chair, designed by industrial designer Karel Links in 1968, is a brilliant example of minimalist design and ingenuity. The award-winning c...
Plywood, Paint
$3,602 / item
H 31.11 in W 17.33 in D 15.75 in
Hannes Wettstein Hola 369 Chair for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Hannes Wettstein
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hannes Wettstein Set of Five Hola 367 Chair For Cassina Among Cassina’s best-sellers, Hola is a design chair also available without armrests, whose elegant, functional lines announc...
Plywood
Antonio Citterio " Klismos " lounge leather chair . Compagnia delle Filippine
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing design by the well known Italian Artis/designer Antonio Citterio . This is part of the Series Compagnia Delle Filippine . This chair is out of production , and it ...
Leather
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz and Hansen teak and chrome table
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and clean dining table designed by Arne Jacobsen made by Fritz and Hansen shows ink stamp lable and Danish control lable.
Wood
Alessandro Mendini Mimi Plastic Table Lamp Signed
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cute and small table lamp designed by Alessandro Mendini.
Plastic
Guy Dill Wood Sculpture with Marble Base Signed and Dated
By Guy Dill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very well known Abstract artist Guy Dill. He works in monumental bronze and marble abstractions.
Wood
Anthony John Padovano Metal/Paint Sculpture, Signed, Dated, Numbered
By Anthony Padovano
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great modernism sculpture, by the well-known artist Anthony J. Padovano. Dated 1970 and numbered 2/6.signed.
Metal
Illums Bolighus Leather Table Lamp Designed by Lisa Johansson Pape, Denmark
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Illums Bolighus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice black leather table lamp designed by Lisa Johansson-pape, made by Blights. Measures with the shade 24 inches high. To the electric socket 16 inches, Base 3.5 inches square....
Leather
