Florence Knoll Table Lamps

American, 1917-2019

Architect, furniture designer, interior designer, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism. Dedicated to functionality and organization, and never flamboyant, Knoll shaped the ethos of the postwar business world with her skillfully realized office plans and polished, efficient designs for sofas, credenzas, desks and other furnishings.

Knoll had perhaps the most thorough design education of any of her peers. Florence Schust was orphaned at age 12, and her guardian sent her to Kingswood, a girl’s boarding school that is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit. Her interest in design brought her to the attention of Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Saarinen and his wife took the talented child under their wing, and she became close to their son, the future architect Eero Saarinen. While a student at the academy, Florence befriended artist-designer Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Later, she studied under three of the Bauhaus masters who emigrated to the United States. She worked as an apprentice in the Boston architectural offices of Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe taught her at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, whose eponymous furniture company was just getting off the ground. They married in 1946, and her design sense and his business skills soon made Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Florence signed up the younger Saarinen as a designer, and would develop pieces by Bertoia, Mies and the artist Isamu Noguchi.

Florence Knoll's main work came as head of the Knoll Planning Group, designing custom office interiors for clients such as IBM and CBS. The furniture she created for these spaces reflects her Bauhaus training: the pieces are pure functional design, exactingly built; their only ornament from the materials, such as wood and marble. Her innovations — the oval conference table, for example, conceived as a way to ensure clear sightlines among all seated at a meeting — were always in the service of practicality.

Since her retirement in 1965, Knoll received the National Medal of Arts, among other awards; in 2004 the Philadelphia Museum of Art mounted the exhibition “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern” — well deserved accolades for a strong, successful design and business pioneer. As demonstrated on these pages, the simplicity of Knoll’s furniture is her work’s great virtue: they fit into any interior design scheme.

Find vintage Florence Knoll sofas, benches, armchairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Florence Knoll

Model 180 Mid-Century Modern Marble Table Lamp by Florence Knoll, 1960s

$1,706

Model 180 Mid-Century Modern Marble Table Lamp by Florence Knoll, 1960s

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in GORINCHEM, NL

This refined Model 180 table lamp was designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. Defined by its architectural simplicity and careful use of materials, the lamp combines a so...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble

Pair of Black Marble Table Lamps by Florence Knoll, US ca. 1960s

$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

Pair of Black Marble Table Lamps by Florence Knoll, US ca. 1960s

By Knoll, Florence Knoll

Located in Geneva, CH

Pair of black marble table lamps by Florence Knoll producued by Knoll USA ca. 1960s New shades, structured off white paper.

Category

1960s American Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Steel

Model 180 Mid-Century Modern Marble Table Lamp by Florence Knoll, 1960s

$1,696

Model 180 Mid-Century Modern Marble Table Lamp by Florence Knoll, 1960s

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in GORINCHEM, NL

This refined Model 180 table lamp was designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. Defined by its architectural simplicity and careful use of materials, the lamp combines a so...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Metal

Pair of black marble lamps with sliding shade by F.Knoll, Knoll Intl, circa 1960

$5,922 / set

Pair of black marble lamps with sliding shade by F.Knoll, Knoll Intl, circa 1960

By Knoll, Florence Knoll

Located in Paris, FR

Pair of lamps with a cylindrical base formed by a succession of black marble disks veined with white, from which rises a chrome-plated shaft supporting a white lacquered metal cap wi...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Metal, Steel, Chrome

1960s Mid-Century Modern Bronze Table Lamps by Laurel Lamp Company

$5,600 / set

H 32 in Dm 4.5 in

1960s Mid-Century Modern Bronze Table Lamps by Laurel Lamp Company

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in New York, NY

Pair of Modernist column lamps with abstract oval impressions. Rewired for use in the USA, 100W max.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Danish Model PH 5 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen, 1960s

$5,861

H 17.72 in Dm 23.62 in

Mid-Century Danish Model PH 5 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen, 1960s

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Hamburg, DE

Very rare table lamp version of the well-known PH 5 pendant lamp by Poulsen based on a design by Poul Henningsen. The staggered shades of the lamp direct the light in different dire...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

A pair of table lamps by Aldo Tura, Italy, c. 1960s.

$4,783 / set

H 36.23 in W 19.69 in D 8.67 in

A pair of table lamps by Aldo Tura, Italy, c. 1960s.

By Aldo Tura

Located in BARCELONA, ES

Wrapped in lacquered goatskin parchment, the rectangular bases display a rich range of tones from honeyed amber to deep bronze. The subtle variation of the material gives each lamp a...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Pair of Soholm Ceramic Table Lamps with Silk Shade Backhausen, Denmark 1960s

$4,569 / set

H 16.54 in Dm 9.06 in

Pair of Soholm Ceramic Table Lamps with Silk Shade Backhausen, Denmark 1960s

By Soholm Pottery

Located in Rijssen, NL

Beautiful pair of ceramic table lamps by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, model Erika. Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made lampshade by R. Houben. The green and brown ceramics an...

Category

1960s Danish Brutalist Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Large Hansen Modernist Black Marble Table Lamps, USA 1960's

$11,000 / set

H 24 in W 7 in D 7 in

Pair of Large Hansen Modernist Black Marble Table Lamps, USA 1960's

By Hansen Lighting Co.

Located in New York, NY

Large pair of Hansen table lamps in beautifully veined marble with brass hardware. Shades are for photographic purposes. A single is also available separately.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Lucite Chrome Sculptural 1960s Futurist Table Lamp Peter Hamburger for Knoll

$1,750

H 11 in W 13 in D 7 in

Lucite Chrome Sculptural 1960s Futurist Table Lamp Peter Hamburger for Knoll

By Knoll, George Kovacs, Peter Hamburger

Located in Round Top, TX

Table Lamp designed by Peter Hamburger for Knoll International c 1960s. Constructed from acrylic with adjustable chromed metal shade. Excellent condition. Kovacs produced this lamp f...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Minimalist Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Table Lamps in White and Grey Marble, Germany

$1,793 / set

H 14.38 in Dm 27.96 in

Pair of Table Lamps in White and Grey Marble, Germany

By Florence Knoll

Located in Berlin, DE

Pair of Marble Table Lamps, in the manner of Florence Knoll Clean and minimal pair of table lamps with cylindrical marble bases—one grey, one white—combined with slim brass stems an...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Bergboms Model B-10 Carrara Marble Table Lamps, Sweden, 1960s

$3,188 / set

H 16.93 in Dm 3.15 in

Pair of Bergboms Model B-10 Carrara Marble Table Lamps, Sweden, 1960s

By Bergboms

Located in Karis, Nyland

A rare pair of Swedish Model B-10 table lamps by Bergboms, 1960s, crafted from solid white Carrara marble. The tall cylindrical forms, finished with three subtle base bands, create a...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Carrara Marble

Italian Marble Table Lamp, 1960s

$1,993

H 13.39 in Dm 9.45 in

Italian Marble Table Lamp, 1960s

By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa

Located in bruxelles, BE

Very beautiful marble lamp. Wear due to time and age of the lamp.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble

Pair of Chinoiserie Lamps, circa 1960

$895 / set

H 18.5 in Dm 4.5 in

Pair of Chinoiserie Lamps, circa 1960

Located in High Point, NC

Pair of chinoiserie table lamps in a luscious red with hand painted decoration in shades of gold and brown.

Category

1960s English Chinoiserie Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Pine, Paint

Marble table lamps 'B-10' by Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s

$3,302 / set

H 45 in Dm 9 in

Marble table lamps 'B-10' by Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s

By Bergboms

Located in Eskilstuna, SE

Pair of elegant table lamps model 'B-10' by Bergboms, Sweden, 1960s. Made in solid marble.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble

Handstitched Black Leather Table Lamp with Green Silk Shade, France, 1960s

$1,879

H 22.25 in W 13.78 in D 9.45 in

Handstitched Black Leather Table Lamp with Green Silk Shade, France, 1960s

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Den Haag, NL

Handstitched Black leather Table Lamp with Green Silk Shade, France 1960s.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s

$8,840

H 17.76 in Dm 10.23 in

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s

By Gaetano Sciolari

Located in New York, NY

A table lamp that is an important piece of modernist lighting, engineered in a composition of burnished aluminum and polished chrome. Its curves and aerodynamic forms create a transf...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

Beautiful Pair of Table Lamps by James Mont with Original Shade

$4,500 / set

H 33 in W 22 in D 22 in

Beautiful Pair of Table Lamps by James Mont with Original Shade

By James Mont

Located in Los Angeles, CA

We have over 3000 antique sconces and over 1000 antique lights, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights; use the "Contact Dealer" button to ask us, we might have it in our s...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Table Lamps by NAFA, 1960s

$3,435 / set

H 24.81 in Dm 15.75 in

Pair of Swedish Table Lamps by NAFA, 1960s

By NAFA, Hans-Agne Jakobsson

Located in Stockholm, SE

Pair of brass table lamps by NAFA, Sweden, 1960s. New wiring. Measures: Height 63 cm Diameter 40 cm

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Previously Available Items

Florence Knoll marble lamp

Sold

H 21.66 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in

Florence Knoll marble lamp

By Florence Knoll

Located in Grenoble, FR

Florence Knoll Marble Lamp Very beautiful, very poetic lamp by Florence Knoll for the Knoll brand. Made of a layer of Carrara marble. Both a living room and office lamp, a great clas...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Carrara Marble, Chrome

Carrara Marble Florence Knoll Table Lamp Model 180

Sold

H 23.63 in Dm 15.75 in L 23.63 in

Carrara Marble Florence Knoll Table Lamp Model 180

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Utrecht, NL

Carrara marble square base table lamp model 180 by Florence Knoll. Edited by Knoll International during the 1960's. Lamp is equipped with its original shade which has been reuphol...

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Florence Knoll table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.

Florence Knoll table lamps are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original table lamps by Florence Knoll were created in the mid-century modern style in germany during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider table lamps by Knoll, Kaiser Leuchten, and Domus. Prices for Florence Knoll table lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,336 and can go as high as $1,336, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,336.

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Questions About Florence Knoll Table Lamps

Who is Florence Knoll?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Florence Knoll was an architect and furniture designer who greatly influenced mid-century design. She established the furniture company Knoll, Inc., which continues to manufacture pieces inspired by her designs. Knoll died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 101. Find a collection of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
How do I pronounce Florence Knoll?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To pronounce Florence Knoll, say "FLO-rens Noll." The "K" in the designer's last name is silent. Florence Knoll's maiden name was Florence Marguerite Schust, pronounced "shusht." She changed her name after marrying Hans Knoll in 1946. Find a range of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
Where does Florence Knoll live?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Florence Knoll lived in the U.S. throughout her life. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 24, 1917, and she died in Coral Gables, Florida, on January 25, 2019. From 1940 to 1941, she attended the Chicago Armour Institute in Chicago, Illinois. After that, she lived and worked in New York City for many years. On 1stDibs, find a range of Florence Knoll furniture.
What furniture did Florence Knoll make?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Florence Knoll made a number of well-known furniture designs and founded the company Knoll, Inc. Some of her most acclaimed pieces include the Florence Knoll lounge chair, the Florence Knoll sofa, the Florence Knoll bench and the Florence Knoll settee. Shop a variety of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
What did Florence Knoll call the Womb chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
What Florence Knoll called the Womb chair after it was created is unknown. However, its creator Eero Saarinen stated that Knoll inspired him to make the piece by asking him to design the most comfortable chair ever, saying specifically that she wanted something that felt like "a basket full of pillows." Presented with the challenge, Saarinen went primal. What, the designer figured, better signifies the very essence of comfort than the womb? "It was designed on the theory that a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb,” the designer said of his chair. Find a selection of vintage Womb chairs on 1stDibs.
Did Florence Knoll put a number on her pieces?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
No, Florence Knoll didn't usually put a number on her pieces. To identify Florence Knoll furniture, look for a tag or mark that bears the name "Knoll" or "Knoll, Inc." On chairs, the labels are usually on the bottom cushion. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Florence Knoll furniture.