Early Knoll Sofa
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Maple
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome, Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Birch, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool
Vintage 1950s American Modern Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Birch, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1960s American Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Australian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rope, Teak
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary English Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Ash
Vintage 1960s American Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s German Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Sectional Sofas
Canvas, Cotton, Fiberglass, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Settees
Mirror, Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Cherry
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Antique 1880s English Victorian Lounge Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum, Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1960s Organic Modern Settees
Vintage 1950s American Modern Daybeds
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Maple, Textile
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Teak
- 1
Early Knoll Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Early Knoll Sofa?
Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a Knoll Sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Knoll sofa, or a Knole sofa, is an interesting piece of furniture that’s believed to have its origins in the 1600s and to be the precursor to the modern sofa. It features two side-by-side cushions and arms that are as high as the back of the sofa. The most interesting feature is that these arms can often be tied back or dropped to change the profile of the sofa. Find an assortment of Knole sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024The history of the Knoll sofa began in 1954. The sofa was made during American designer and entrepreneur Florence Knoll’s direction of the Knoll Planning Unit, the company's pioneering "design consultant service" that would define the look of the postwar workplace. The versatile Florence Knoll sofa, with its angular silhouette and tasteful mix of textures, could as easily fit into the glass lobby of a skyscraper as the living room of a home. That same year, Florence Knoll also introduced a companion lounge chair that coordinated with the sofa. Knoll, Inc. continues to produce the Florence Knoll sofa over half a century after it was introduced, and vintage models are still prized for their sturdy construction and timeless qualities. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Florence Knoll sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Where Parker Knoll sofas are made has changed over time. In 2016, the luxury furniture maker moved its factory to Castlewood, Nottinghamshire. Prior to the relocation, the company produced most of its pieces in London and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Parker Knoll sofas from some of the world's top sellers.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.