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.
$2,680
H 26.75 in W 80 in D 27 in
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll Sling Settee Sofa Design, 1970s
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic Knoll sling bench designed by Hannah Morrison, black coated aluminum frame with grey wool upholstery. Some small marks on the frame but in otherwis...
Aluminum, Steel
$5,600
H 25.5 in W 81.13 in D 19.5 in
Sling Sofa in Steel and Bouclé by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage three-seat armless sofa in charcoal bouclé with an off-white powder-coated steel frame designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll (1971, New York, NY USA). The de...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Sling Loveseat Sofa By Hannah Morrison For Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic Mid-Century Modern two-seat sling sofa / loveseat was designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a strong outline frame made of white pow...
Steel
$2,500
H 35.75 in W 55 in D 36 in
1970s Two-Seat Sling Sofa by Hannah Morrison for Knoll in Fabric and Aluminum
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Two-Seat Sling Sofa, designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a polished cast-steel frame, and has an upholstered seat & back. The uphols...
Steel
$8,805
H 25.6 in W 77.96 in D 31.5 in
Rare 3-Seater Sofa by Horst Brüning for Kill International, 1960s
By Alfred Kill International, Horst Bruning
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Super rare modernist sofa designed by Horst Brüning around 1965. It features a sculptural chrome-plated flat steel construction, upholstered with a high quality black fabric in wool....
Steel
Rare No. 704 Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. MID 1950'S..Ingenious design as the seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Italian Three Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Mid Century modern Italian three seat sofa
Wool, Wood
$6,809
H 30.71 in W 89.38 in D 30.71 in
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
$5,635
H 31.11 in W 113.78 in D 34.65 in
Mid-Century Three-Seater Sofa by Franz Köttgen for Kill International, 1960s
By Franz Köttgen
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Three-Seater Sofa by Franz Köttgen for Kill International, Leather and Marble, 1960s
Marble
$4,402
H 31.5 in W 55.91 in D 29.93 in
Rare 'Model 66' 2-Seater Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare 2-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll Basset around 1955. This armless version is called ‘Model 66’ or ‘Slipper’ and features a slim black lacquered base in steel with a funk...
Steel
1970s Ray Wilkes Chiclet 2-Seater for Herman Miller
By Ray Wilkes, Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Iconic MCM Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller "Chiclet" love seat or sofa. Named for the four large rectangular Chiclets gum-shaped foam elements that make up the sofa. Very comfortable, h...
Metal
Michael van Beuren San Miguelito Lounge Chair
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, a rare set of four (only two pieces remain) original San Miguelito Lounge Chairs. These iconic pieces may be acquired as a complete set, in pairs, or individu...
Leather
Norwegian "Siesta" Lounge Chair and Ottoman Designed by Ingmar Relling
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Genuine black leather and bentwood that gives an aesthetic definition with the typical Scandinavian narrative. Both pieces are in excellent condition, having been used very little an...
Leather, Wood, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Woven Lounge chairs and Loveseat, circa 1960
By Michael van Beuren
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Vintage Mid-Century Modern seating set composed of two lounge chairs and one loveseat, crafted in Mexico circa 1960s. This elegant set features solid wood frames with clean, architec...
Pine, Cane
Paimio Chair Style after Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
We didn't want to let them go, we generally don't have replicas in our gallery but this pair of chairs were begging to be restored. The previous owner told us that his parents acquir...
Metal
First Chair by Stefano Giovannoni for MAGIS
By Stefano Giovannoni, Magis
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, First model chair by the Italian designer Stefano Giovannoni for Magis, these chairs belonged to the assets of the international LEGO from the operating plant...
Plastic, Fiberglass
