Walter Knoll Midcentury
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Knoll Sessel 369 for Walter Knoll
By Knoll, Walter Knoll
Located in Belmont, MA
Walter Knoll Sessel 369 for Walter Knoll
Underframe of tubular steel, yellowish plush fabric, 1956.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vostra Chairs by Walter Knoll - Germany
By Walter Knoll
Located in Girona, ES
.
Model: Vostra.
Design: Walter Knoll Team.
Manufacturer: Walter Knoll.
Germany, circa 1950.
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Felt, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Walter Knoll Armchairs Model 550 from 50s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Catania, CT
Walter Knoll and produced in Germany during the 50s.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury Armchairs by Walter Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
These elegant armchairs designed by Walter Knoll.
Beautifully crafted beech wooden frames with
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Large German Modular Sofa by Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large German modular sofa by Walter Knoll.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Mid-Century Modular Sofa by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll
By Brayton International, Walter Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
for the Walter Knoll Collection and produced by Brayton International, circa 1970s. This sofa has
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Foam
Walter Knoll 'Piccolino' Lounge Chair in Beige Brown Leather
By Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Walter Knoll, 'Piccolino' lounge chair, leather, Germany, 1960s
This half round lounge chair by
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather
Walter Knoll Low-Back Oxford Dining Chairs Set of Six
By Walter Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Knoll Low-Back Oxford Chairs Set of Six Two with Arms Four Armless features five star bases
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Rare Cubic Livingroom/Sofa Set by Walter Knoll, 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Schagen, NL
This wonderful set consists of a two seat sofa, an armchair and a coffee table and was manufactured in Germany during the 1970s.
However the designer remains unknown, the name of ...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Modern Model 350 Chairs By Arno Votteler For Walter Knoll Germany
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid Century Modern Model 350 Chairs By Arno Votteler For Walter Knoll, Germany 1950s
These are a
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
H 31.5 in W 26.78 in D 25.6 in
Walter Knoll "Antimott" Lounge Chair with Bouclé Cushions Germany, 1950s
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll "Antimott" Lounge Chair with Bouclé Cushions Germany, 1950s
The "Antimott" midcentury
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
H 33.47 in W 25.2 in D 31.5 in
Tufted Club Chair in the Manner of Walter Knoll for Brayton International
By Walter Knoll
Located in Deland, FL
the manner of Walter Knoll and are ready for decades more of enjoyment.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Materials
Naugahyde
Walter Knoll for Sirino Brayton Leather Sofa
By Walter Knoll, Brayton International
Located in Ferndale, MI
by Walter Knoll for Brayton international. Brayton was absorbed by steel case in the late eighties
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Leather, Upholstery
Walter Knoll Logos Neckleather Chair Bernd Münzebrock
By Walter Knoll, Bernd Münzebrock
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Bernd Münzebrock designed this office chair model Logos for Walter Knoll
The seat is made of
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Jens Risom, Vostra Easy Lounge Chair for Walter Knoll
By Knoll, Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
curved lines. This chair is in the mid-century modern style. It is made of maple wood and cotton woven
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Maple
Pair of Two Black Leather Modular Sofa Chairs by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Praha, CZ
- Germany, around 1970s
- Good original condition with patina
- Made of leather
- marked by manufacturer
jr.
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Leather
H 35.44 in W 24.81 in D 34.26 in
Set of Two '2' Ebonized Cube Club Chairs Attributed to Walter Knoll, circa 1960
By Walter Knoll
Located in Deland, FL
A comfy and spacious set of two cube chairs attributed to Walter Knoll. The ebonized wood from was
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Materials
Fabric
H 29 in W 36.5 in D 32 in
Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970
By Walter Knoll
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970s
This set of two
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
H 35.44 in W 22.84 in D 25.2 in
Walter Knoll by Bernd Münzebrock Brown Leather Daybed
By Walter Knoll, Bernd Münzebrock
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Bernd Münzebrock in 1973 and manufactured by Walter Knoll, this daybed is
Category
Vintage 1970s German Daybeds
Materials
Leather
Walter Knoll Lounge Chair by Arno Votteler Model 350, 1950s
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Walter Knoll Lounge Chair by Arno Votteler Model 350, 1950s
Walter Knoll
Inspired by the Bauhaus
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Free Shipping
H 32.68 in W 29.14 in D 25.6 in
Jens Risom, Vostra Easy Lounge Chair, Design 1941 for Walter Knoll, Germany
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll - Easychair Vostra, 1941
Design from 1941 - model of the 50s, beech
Category
Vintage 1940s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Desk Office Armchair Designed by Walter Knoll, 1970s
By Rudolf Bernd Glatzel, Walter Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
A beautiful brown leather armchair designed by Rudolf Bernd Glatzel for Walter Knoll, from the Art
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll Cordovan Leather Lounge Chairs
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of lounge chairs designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
H 28.5 in W 29.25 in D 29.5 in
Newly Upholstered Model 350 Lounge Chair by Arno Votteler Walter Knoll
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered model 350 lounge chair by Arno Votteler Walter Knoll
Rare Arno Votteler chair
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
H 31.89 in W 25.99 in D 22.45 in
Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll Cordovan Leather and Chromed Steel Sofa
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seater sofa designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Cordovan Leather and Chrome-Steel Sofa by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seater sofa designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel, Chrome
H 29 in W 79.5 in D 31 in
Newly Upholstered Model 350 Lounge Chair by Arno Votteler for Walter Knoll 1950s
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Model 350 lounge chair by Arno Votteler for Walter Knoll, Germany, 1950s. Newly upholstered in a
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 32.68 in W 27.56 in D 25.6 in
Rudolf Bernd Glatzel Armchair in Steel and Leather for Walter Knoll 1970s
By Rudolf Bernd Glatzel, Walter Knoll
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rudolf Bernd Glatzel Armchair in Steel and Leather for Walter Knoll 1970s.
Very heavy and high
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, 1970s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international
Biography :
Born to a baker
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
H 28.94 in W 75.99 in D 36.23 in
Modern EOOS for Coalesse Joel Blue Swivel Lounge Chairs by Walter Knoll, a Pair
By Coalesse, Walter Knoll, EOOS
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous pair of Joel blue swivel lounge chairs by Walter Knoll.
The modern beauty and smart
Category
2010s American Modern Swivel Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
H 27.5 in W 30.25 in D 29 in
Modern Eoos for Coalesse Joel Green Swivel Lounge Chairs by Walter Knoll, a Pair
By Coalesse, Walter Knoll, EOOS
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous pair of Joel green swivel lounge chairs by Walter Knoll.
The modern beauty and smart
Category
2010s American Modern Swivel Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
H 27.5 in W 30.25 in D 29 in
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm "Bird" Armchairs Model-FK672 for Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in The Hague, NL
Armchairs- office chairs designed by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm for Walter Knool
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 40.56 in W 26.78 in D 28.75 in
Pair of Armchairs by Knoll, Cherrywood, Blue/Silver Fabric, Germany, 1950s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Regensburg, DE
Mid-Century Mair of armchairs from Knoll. (labeled at the bottom).
Cherry solid wood frame
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Walter Knoll Set of 16 Dining Room Chairs in Bentwood and Leather, Germany 1970s
By Knoll
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll Set of 16 Dining Room Chairs in Bentwood and Leather, Germany 1970s
A set of 16
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
H 40.16 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastlhom FK 6727-3G Lounge Chairs for Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An exceptional set of 8 Danish Mid Century Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastlhom FK Lounge Chairs
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 33.47 in W 31.89 in D 29.53 in
Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kashtolm Swivel Chairs for Walter Knoll 1970s Signed
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
and Jorgen Kashtolm for Walter Knoll would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or
Category
Vintage 1970s German Modern Swivel Chairs
Materials
Suede
H 34.25 in W 26 in D 26 in
Jens Risom Original Pair of Side Chairs for Walter Knoll, Circa 1940's
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of early Knoll side chairs by designer Jens Risom. Circa 1940's.
In original condition, with
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Birch
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
, Walter Knoll was a true modernist and furniture manufacturer who had a reputation for quality. When Hans
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Mid 20th Century Modern Model 400 Bench by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Brugge, BE
the Cranbrook Academy of Art. His encounters with influential figures like Walter Gropius and Charles
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sideboard with Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
founded in New York by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th-century designs of Florence Knoll, were
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
, Walter Knoll, was a true modernist and furniture manufacturer who had a reputation for quality. When Hans
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel
H 29.93 in W 88.59 in D 27.56 in
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th century designs of Florence Knoll, were
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th-century designs of Florence Knoll, were
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
-year-old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll, was a true modernist and
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Teak
H 29.93 in W 90.56 in D 31.5 in
Early Production Florence Knoll End or Occasional Table Knoll, New York
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
, retains early Knoll label.
Florence Knoll Bassett (born May 24, 1917) is an American architect and
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Floor Lamp Designed by Hans-jörg Walter and Josef Kuntner, for Knoll Int. 1960s
By Hans Jörg Walter & Josef Kuntner
Located in Delft, NL
Floor lamp designed by Hans-Jörg Walter and Josef Kuntner, for Knoll International, 1960s
A
Category
Mid-20th Century European Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
H 65.75 in Dm 10.04 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sideboard in Teak
By Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
was founded in New York by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Round Low Table in White Marble and Metal by Knoll 1950s Italy
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
century architects, including Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Ludwig Mies
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Metal
1950s Rare Set Vostra Chairs Numbered & Original Fabric by Jens Risom for Knoll.
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
Walter Knoll archive. It is one of the eight designs in the Walter Knoll Classic Edition range – a
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Elm
Free Shipping
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 22.4 in
Fabricius & Kastholm FK Bucket Chair for Walter Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Solihull, GB
chair) is one of the iconic, instantly recognisable, designs from the mid 20th century.
The chair
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Fabricius & Kastholm Fk Bucket Chair for Walter Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Solihull, GB
chair) is one of the iconic, instantly recognisable, designs from the mid 20th century.
The chair
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Executive Office Chair Fabricius + Kastholm for Walter Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant modernist design.
Wood construction with leather and chrome plated steel armrest with brushed aluminum base and plastic castors.
(The up + down hardware under the seat appear...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Flow Lounge Chairs Tom Lloyd Luke Pearson Walter Knoll
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
Pair of Mid-Century
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Large Florence Knoll Boat Shaped Conference Table in Walnut with Metal Frame
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll was a true modernist and furniture
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Metal
H 28.15 in W 151.58 in D 53.15 in
Knoll Eero Saarinen for Knoll Set of Six Chairs in Grey Velvet
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll was a true
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Modular Vintage Leather Sofa by Bernd Münzebrock for Walter Knoll
By Bernd Münzebrock
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Modular Vintage Leather Sofa by Bernd Münzebrock for Walter Knoll
Discover the timeless elegance
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Materials
Leather
Otto Kolbe Easy Chair Produced by Walter Knoll in America
By Cees Braakman
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare wide easy chair designed by Otto Kolb. Produced by Walter Knoll in America.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 4 FK 711 Lounge Chairs by Preben Fabricius/Jørgen Kastholm for W. Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
Kastholm for W. Knoll in the 1970s. The Walter Knoll manufactory is known for the highest quality furniture
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 36.23 in W 25.2 in D 25.99 in
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Pair of Conference Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
founded in New York by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
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Walter Knoll Midcentury For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the walter knoll midcentury you’re looking for. A walter knoll midcentury — often made from animal skin, leather and metal — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer walter knoll midcentury, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A walter knoll midcentury is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern styles are sought with frequency. A well-made walter knoll midcentury has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Walter Knoll, Knoll and Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius are consistently popular.
How Much is a Walter Knoll Midcentury?
Prices for a walter knoll midcentury start at $497 and top out at $19,750 with the average selling for $2,900.
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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