Knoll Furniture
American
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.
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Creator: Knoll
Dealer: BLEND INTERIORS
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International. Upholstered in gorgeous Sina Pearson fabric.
Florence Knoll was a pioneering designer and entrepreneur who created the modern look and feel of America’s postwar corporate office with sleek furniture, artistic textiles and an uncluttered, free-flowing workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th-century designs of Florence Knoll, were — and still are — the essence of the genre’s clean, functional forms. Transcending design fads, they are still influential, still contemporary, still common in offices, homes and public spaces, still found in dealers’ showrooms and represented in museum collections.
Ms. Knoll learned her art at the side of Modernist masters. She was a protégé of the German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and teacher and the father of the architect Eero Saarinen. And she worked with the renowned Bauhaus architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. Throughout her career, influenced by the German Bauhaus school of design, she promoted the Modernist merger of architecture, art and utility in her furnishings and interiors, especially — although not exclusively — for offices.
In the 1940s, she married and became a business partner of the German-born furniture maker Hans Knoll, and over 20 years she was instrumental in building Knoll Associates into the largest and most prestigious high-end design firm of its kind, with 35 showrooms in the United States and around the world.
While her husband handled business affairs, Ms. Knoll was the design force of Knoll Associates. It grew to become the leading innovator of modern interiors and furnishings in the 1950s and ’60s, transforming the CBS, Seagram and Look magazine headquarters in Manhattan, the H. J. Heinz headquarters in Pittsburgh and properties across the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, including American embassies.
Her “total design” favored open work spaces over private offices, and furniture grouped for informal discussions. It integrated lighting, vibrant colors, acoustical fabrics, chairs molded like tulip petals, sofas and desks with chrome legs...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll.
In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Category
1980s American International Style Vintage Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pristine Florence Knoll sofa for Knoll International. Upholstered in gorgeous Sina Pearson fabric.
Florence Knoll was a pioneering designer and entrepreneur who created the modern look and feel of America’s postwar corporate office with sleek furniture, artistic textiles and an uncluttered, free-flowing workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th century designs of Florence Knoll, were — and still are — the essence of the genre’s clean, functional forms. Transcending design fads, they are still influential, still contemporary, still common in offices, homes and public spaces, still found in dealers’ showrooms and represented in museum collections.
Ms. Knoll learned her art at the side of Modernist masters. She was a protégé of the German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and teacher and the father of the architect Eero Saarinen. And she worked with the renowned Bauhaus architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. Throughout her career, influenced by the German Bauhaus school of design, she promoted the Modernist merger of architecture, art and utility in her furnishings and interiors, especially — although not exclusively — for offices.
In the 1940s, she married and became a business partner of the German-born furniture maker Hans Knoll, and over 20 years she was instrumental in building Knoll Associates into the largest and most prestigious high-end design firm of its kind, with 35 showrooms in the United States and around the world.
While her husband handled business affairs, Ms. Knoll was the design force of Knoll Associates. It grew to become the leading innovator of modern interiors and furnishings in the 1950s and ’60s, transforming the CBS, Seagram and Look magazine headquarters in Manhattan, the H. J. Heinz headquarters in Pittsburgh and properties across the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, including American embassies.
Her “total design” favored open work spaces over private offices, and furniture grouped for informal discussions. It integrated lighting, vibrant colors, acoustical fabrics, chairs molded like tulip petals, sofas and desks with chrome legs...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll.
In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Category
1980s American International Style Vintage Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International. Upholstered in gorgeous Sina Pearson fabric.
Florence Knoll was a pioneering designer and entrepreneur who created the modern...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll.
In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Category
1980s American International Style Vintage Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Related Items
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This sofa d...
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Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 20 Avail
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Superb Brno Armchairs for Knoll in Stainless Steel Not Chrome
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
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beautiful set.
These are special order non-magnetic stainless steel frames with a different sheen and slightly different color then the chrome frames. Hand-polished stainless steel ...
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Early Florence Knoll 3-Seat Model 26 Sofa
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Very early Florence Knoll sofa, circa late 1940s, in vintage oatmeal nubby wool Knoll fabric, with down seat and back cushions. The six inset legs make...
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Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Chairs, Signed, Set of Twelve
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original...
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1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning vintage 1960s Florence Knoll sofa that we had redone and reupholstered in a beautiful Kravet wool mohair. Color is called indigo blue. A rich navy color. We had 6 extra ba...
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Set of 8 Knoll Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 'Handkerchief' stacking chairs designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, 1983. Grey plastic seat over a painted steel rod base. 18" seat height. Sold as a set of 8.
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Knoll Furniture
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Florence Knoll Black Leather Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A midcentury Knoll classic designed by Florence Knoll. This three person sofa features tufted black leather upholstery with chrome plated steel legs. Measures: 90".
Recently restored.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Knoll Furniture
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Drop Arm Knoll Style Sofa in an Orange-Red Velvet
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant 20th century knoll style sofa,
nice reupholstery using plush Orange-Red material with elegant fringing, the side panels fold down, comfortable seating,
nice warm color.
G...
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Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll.
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1949 Florence Knoll Associates 26 BC Upholstered 3-Seater Sofa New Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1949 Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates 26 BC upholstered 3-seater sofa, which was just freshly reupholstered by Forthright, a renowned upholstery shop based in...
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1940s American Modern Vintage Knoll Furniture
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H 30 in W 90 in D 30 in
Florence Knoll 3-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Florence Knoll 3-seat sofa. Nice original condition.
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Previously Available Items
Set of 4 Gorgeous Velvet Upholstered Eero Saarinen Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 gorgeous velvet upholstered Eero Saarinen chairs. Great around a round dining table. Supremely comfortable.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Knoll Furniture
Materials
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Set of Four Classic Thick Leather and Chrome MR Chairs by Mies van der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Classic thick leather and chrome MR chairs by Mies van der Rohe.
Measures: Seat height 17.5"
Seat depth 14.5".
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Knoll Furniture
Materials
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H 31 in W 18.5 in L 31 in
Set of Four Original Wire Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four original wire chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Early 1950s edition, not recent reproductions. Very sturdy and in great vintage condition (not new).
Category
1950s American Vintage Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Swiveling Executive Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiveling executive desk chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll.
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Knoll Furniture
Knoll Furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Knoll Furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Knoll Furniture there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. 942 vintage editions of these items are in stock, while there are 75 modern editions to choose from as well. Many original Knoll furniture pieces were created in the Mid-Century Modern style in North America during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture from Edward Wormley Furniture, Milo Baughman Furniture and Herman Miller Furniture. Knoll Furniture prices can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at US$174 and tops out at US$51,209, while pieces like these can sell for US$3,600 on average.
Creators Similar to Knoll
Questions About Knoll Furniture
- Does Herman Miller own Knoll?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, the noted furniture brand Herman Miller acquired Knoll in 2021 and announced a new name, MillerKnoll. The new name is meant to take advantage of the long history and reputation that each brand brings to the table and to introduce a new, stronger joint effort to the public. Shop a collection of Herman Miller and Knoll furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- Who is Florence Knoll?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence 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.
- What is a Parker Knoll chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A Parker Knoll chair is designed by the British furniture manufacturing company Parker Knoll. These chairs are considered to be luxurious — they are handmade in the company’s Nottinghamshire factory from high-quality wood and feature plush upholstery in leather as well as in a variety of fabrics. Find Parker Knoll chairs on 1stDibs.
- How do I date Knoll furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How to date Knoll furniture depends on the piece. Some pieces feature stickers that bear the brand's name and logo, and the graphics changed over the years. By comparing the style of the logo to samples online, you can estimate the age of the piece. In some cases, the manufacturing year may appear on the sticker. To date a Knoll chair, look for the tag sewn on the back of the seat cushion. Often, the manufacturer prints the date there. You'll find a collection of expertly vetted Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- Who owns Knoll furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022MillerKnoll owns Knoll furniture. The company formed when Herman Miller, Inc., acquired Knoll, Inc., on April 19, 2021. The publicly traded company operates from its headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan. Andi Owen serves as its CEO, as of December 2021. Shop a collection of Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- Where are Knoll chairs made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Knoll maintains manufacturing plants in the United States, Canada, and Italy. Countless designers have worked for Knoll over the years to create exquisite furniture that’s beloved by collectors worldwide. Shop a collection of antique and contemporary Knoll chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Where is Knoll furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence Knoll produced her furniture designs largely in a factory located in East Greenville, Pennsylvania. As of December 2021, the company she founded, Knoll, Inc., manufactures furniture in the same factory, as well as in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Muskegon, Michigan; Toronto, Canada; and Foligno and Graffignana, Italy. Find a selection of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- Where does Florence Knoll live?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence 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.
- 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Andrew B. Cogan is the CEO of Knoll furniture as of December 2021. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board. He took on the role in 2001. Prior to that time, he worked as the company's COO. Shop a range of Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Knoll began to stamp their furniture in 2004. An authentic stamp consists of the brand's name printed in the correct font. Normally, the manufacturer places the stamp on the upper section of the base. Shop a selection of expertly vetted Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can buy Parker Knoll furniture through an authorized dealer. The manufacturer partners with brick-and-mortar stores all over the world and also works with some online platforms. While you can browse the entire selection of current Parker Knoll designs on their official website, you cannot buy directly from the company online. Shop a collection of Parker Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024What 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.