Knoll Letter
Harry Bertoia Gold Plated Bronze Diagonal Double Tonal Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in St. Louis, MO
, along with a copy of the Knoll letter to Harry and sketch of the sculpture and others with prices
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 7 in W 2.89 in D 10.25 in
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, 1960s. This piece retains its original
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Esperance, NY
This is a very unique premium paper or letter tray that is now available for sale. It comes with
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Bentwood
American Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Letter Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible midcentury letter tray in solid walnut. Great lines and construction rounded corners
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Modernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980's
By Peter Pepper Products, Knoll, Stow Davis
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980's.
Category
20th Century Post-Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Oak
Vintage Modernist Paper Tray in Chrome 1970s
By Smokador, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful letter tray in polished aluminium / chrome finish with black enamel lining. In the style
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
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JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting.
Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
"Fit Side Table" Minimalist Travertine Cream Marble Side Table by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Side Table is a minimalist style low table made of treated Travertine marble. This side table is composed by five marble pieces, all of them assembled in a logical and harmon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Travertine
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
"Attilio" Riveted Leather Tray Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Claude Bouchard, Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Attilio" is a leather tray, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the availa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal
H 2.3 in W 13.7 in D 9.8 in
Nude Male Model, Unique Silver Gelatin Print
By Andy Warhol
Located in Cotignac, FR
Unique Silver Gelatin print from circa 1977 by Andy Warhol.
Andy Warhol carried a camera with him obsessively. Similarly to his tape recorder, he used this technology not only as an...
Category
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
"Rettangolare" Leather Tray Designed by Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Rettangolare" is a leather tray, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. This tray has two different colors: one for the inside and th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Leather
"Dario" Leather Tray with Handles Designed by Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Dario" is a leather tray, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. This tray has two different colors: one for the inside and the other...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Leather
Vintage Mid-Century Enrique Garcel Parchment Platform Bed
By Enrique Garcel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Enrique Garcel
Colombian
Enrique Garcel has a passion for exotic materials, lacquered surfaces and elegant, stylized forms. Handmade in Colombia, he sometimes employs veneers of ...
Category
Vintage 1970s Colombian Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Chrome
Large Murano Faceted Diamond Lucid Bowl Ashtray Element, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Murano glass ash tray
Origin:
Murano, Italy
Design:
in style of Flavio Poli
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Murano Glass
Free Shipping
H 2.76 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
"Matteo" Riveted Leather Tray Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Claude Bouchard, Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Matteo" is a leather tray, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the availab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal
H 2.3 in W 8.2 in D 3.9 in
Credenza with Cane Doors and Black Laminate Case by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
This sideboard exemplifies Florence Knoll's classic clean-lined aesthetic. The black laminate case sits on a steel base and features handsome cane sliding doors with leather pulls. I...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Steel
19th Century Rosewood Letter Tray
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive And Extremely Good Quality Mid 19th Century Rosewood Letter Tray, Of Unusually Diminutive Proportions, Having Exceptionally Well Figured Top With Studworlk Decorati...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Desk Sets
Materials
Rosewood
Florence Knoll Designed Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern office sideboard by Florence Knoll. Walnut grain throughout with strong metal legs. Pull out tray and file cabinet.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Materials
Metal
"Aldo" Riveted Square Leather Tray Designed by C. Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Claude Bouchard, Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Aldo" is a square leather tray, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the av...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal
H 2.3 in W 8.2 in D 8.2 in
Michel Dumas coffee table in plexiglass and smoked glass - France - 70s - 1970
By Michel Dumas
Located in Paris, FR
Delightful, minimalist and large coffee table by designer Michel Dumas dating from the 1970s.
.
Plexiglas base supporting a smoked glass top with chrome steel sides.
.
Dimensions : ...
Category
Vintage 1970s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
H 11.82 in W 29.14 in D 51.19 in
Original Warren Platner Bronze Stool by Knoll 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
An original 1960s production Warren Platner bronze stool for Knoll. Early and rare bronze finish. Newly upholstered seat in a Kvadrat / Davina wool felt fabric. The fabric is ston...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Materials
Bronze
Rare 'Kono' Dining Table / Desk by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, 1984
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and large 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Granite, Copper
H 28.5 in W 86.5 in D 39.5 in
Recent Sales
Florence Knoll Black Birch Plywood Double Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this double letter tray is made of ebonized birch plywood and
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Plywood
H 7 in W 14 in D 11.25 in
Knoll Associates Mid-Century Wood Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Knoll Associates early wood desk or letter tray. Comprised of sculptural solid wood. Signed Knoll
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Florence Knoll Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Knoll. The bentwood letter tray was made by Knoll International, and it still retains its original Knoll
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Bentwood
Florence Knoll Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Bent plywood desktop letter tray by Knoll. Retains original label with the Herbert Matter designed
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Knoll Vintage Bentwood Walnut Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Knoll label and cork feet pads on bottom.
Bent plywood walnut letter tray by Knoll, circa 1960.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray circa 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray circa 1960. This piece retains its
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, circa 1960. This piece retains its
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Florence Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of walnut plywood and was a staple of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Modernist Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist double letter tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Walnut Plywood Double Pivoting Letter Tray By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Iconic sculptural and functional desk accessory by Florence Knoll executed in walnut plywood. The
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Charles Pollock Knoll Executive Armchair Brown Tweed 4 Prong Base with Casters
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome MCM or Mid-Century Modern executive chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Comprised of brown
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 32 in W 26 in D 27.5 in
Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock Knoll Brown Leather 4 Prong Bases a Pair
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous pair of executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Comprised of brown leather
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome
H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 28 in
Bentwood Letter Tray by Peter Pepper Products
Located in New York, NY
Bentwood office letter tray by Peter Pepper Products. Circa 1950, USA. Made in the Knoll style
Category
Vintage 1950s American Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Alexandre Noll Platter
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
This beautiful small platter hand carved by Alexander Knoll is signed on the bottom and sold with a
Category
Vintage 1950s French Tableware
1930's Modernist Lounge Chair by Walter Schneider and Paul Hahn
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brno, CZ
. The letter ‘K’ in this case stands for Knoll who collaborated on the design and production of these
Category
Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Early Florence Knoll molded teak plywood letter tray. Excellent condition with 1950s label intact.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hudson, NY
Molded teak plywood pivoting double letter tray, stainless steel pin separates the two trays. Felt
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, 1960s. This piece retains its original
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, circa 1960. This piece retains its
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Steel
Mid-20th Century Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Pivoting Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Indianapolis, IN
A molded plywood pivoting letter tray designed by American designer Florence Knoll (1917-2019) for
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory IBM
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of walnut molded plywood and was a
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Florence Knoll Architectural Molded Walnut Plywood Desk Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Two-tier molded walnut architectural plywood letter tray by Florence Knoll. An iconic, beautiful
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Walnut Plywood Double Pivoting Letter Tray by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Iconic sculptural and functional desk accessory by Florence Knoll executed in walnut plywood. The
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Early 1950s Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray's
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of early 1950s teak plywood molded letter desk tray's by Florence Knoll.
Each individual tray
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Teak, Plywood
H 7.09 in W 11.42 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Chrome Desk Organizer Letter Paper Mail Tray Stand
By Knoll, Smokador
Located in Wayne, NJ
Sleek Smokador Mid-Century Modern Modernist Double Chrome Desk Letter Paper Tray Stand distributed
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Chrome
H 6.63 in W 10.25 in D 15.25 in
Midcentury Modernist Walnut Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible mid-century letter tray in walnut. Great lines and construction. Has a University of
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Large Florence Knoll Style Credenza in White Oak
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
, legal or letter filing and drawers in remaining 2 bays. Strong metal base.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Materials
Metal
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray. circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Chrome Dual Level Letter Tray by Hugh Acton, 1960s
By Hugh Acton, Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Mid Century Chrome Dual Level Letter Tray By Hugh Acton, 1960s.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Mid Century Two Tiered Letter Tray, Circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Mid century two tiered letter tray, Circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Two Tiered Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Mid century two tiered letter tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Peter Pepper Oak & Chrome Letter Tray, circa 1970
By Peter Pepper Products, Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Peter Pepper Oak & Chrome letter tray / holder, circa 1970.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Chrome
Modernist Oak & Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1980
By Peter Pepper Products, Knoll, Stow Davis
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist Oak & Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1980.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Executive Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll Brown Leather 4 Prong Base
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
her a letter and you say you were so embarrassed and how much you love Knoll and how you worked so
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 31.5 in W 26.5 in D 25.5 in
Executive Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll Brown Leather with 4 Prong Base
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome executive chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Comprised of brown leather, aluminum band
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome
H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 28 in
American Mid-Century Modern Walnut Modernist Paper Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Single letter desk tray with solid walnut walls, circa 1970s freshly refinished, Very nice accent
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Modernist Double Paper Tray in Chrome by Smokador, 1970s
By Knoll, Smokador
Located in San Diego, CA
Double letter tray in polished aluminium / chrome finish with black enamel lining by Smokador
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Modernist Double Paper Tray in Chrome by Smokador, 1970s
By Knoll, Smokador
Located in San Diego, CA
Double letter tray in polished aluminium/ chrome finish with black enamel lining by Smokador
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Early Two Sectional Walnut Settees with Cushions by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
the photos.
New foam and upholstery of a Knoll Luxe collection fabric.
Accompany these lovely settees
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
George Nakashima "New" Chairs, Set of Eight, Authenticated 1960s Production
By George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
hand, it is not like buying Knoll or Herman Miller items where you can easily identify and authenticate
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Hickory, Walnut
H 36 in W 18.25 in D 19 in
Early Knoll Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
Double letter tray by Knoll in Primavera wood, quite unusual as most where either walnut or black
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Knoll Products Vintage In & Out Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Knoll Products In & Out two-tiered letter tray.
Bent plywood in original ebonized finish
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Florence Knoll Dual Letter Tray
Located in New York, NY
Original Florence Knoll molded letter trays Ca. 1950s with original early Knoll label.Single molded
Category
20th Century American Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Stainless Steel
1960s Molded Teak Plywood Letter Trays by Martin Aberg for Rainbow Wood
By Martin Åberg
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Influenced by the Florence Knoll letter trays, designer Martin Aberg created these similar trays
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak
H 7.5 in W 14.75 in D 10.25 in
Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
very rare Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray edited by Knoll International
Lit : Steven & Linda
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Molded Walnut Plywood Two-Tier Letter Tray by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An architectural, two-tier, molded walnut plywood letter tray by Florence Knoll. An outstanding
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Florence Knoll Black Birch Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of ebonized birch plywood and was a
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Plywood
Pair of Knoll Stitched Leather Letter Trays by Raul de Armas & Carolyn Lu
By Knoll
Located in Kensington, MD
Pair of Knoll stitched leather letter trays designed by Raul de Armas and Carolyn Lu for the Knoll
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
H 4.25 in W 16.5 in D 11.13 in
Smokador Single Tier Chrome Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in Alhambra, CA
Chrome and black single letter tray. Perfect for the chrome-plated executive!
Dimensions: 15" D
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
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Knoll Letter For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the knoll letter you’re looking for. Each knoll letter for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, walnut and plywood. Your living room may not be complete without a knoll letter — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right knoll letter, those designed in Mid-Century Modern styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made knoll letter over the years, but those crafted by Florence Knoll and Knoll are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Knoll Letter?
Prices for a knoll letter start at $375 and top out at $3,071 with the average selling for $1,193.
A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Tapio Wirkkala Bucked the Trends of Mid-Century Nordic Design
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.
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Vintage Dressing Chest
Tubular Shelf
National Cabinet Company
Chrome Cart Italy
1930s Linen Chairs
Ebonized Plywood
Entrance Chest
Small Mid Century Dressing Table
Small Coffee Table Shelf
Chrome Dressing Table
Knoll 32