Mid-century modern design in America wouldn’t look the way it does without Knoll. The company’s acclaimed seating — lounge chairs, armchairs, office chairs and other furnishings created by a who’s who of designers and by Knoll’s pioneering cofounder, Florence Knoll (1917–2019) — helped define high-rise corporate culture and was rapidly adopted for use in living rooms, where it endures as a timeless favorite all over the world.
“Many of the designs that he had at that time were ones that I did not approve of,” Florence Knoll once recalled of her German-born husband, Hans Knoll (1914–55), the son of German modernist furniture manufacturer Walter Knoll.
A native of Michigan, Florence already had a world-class immersion in design when she met Hans. Orphaned at age 12, she was enrolled at Kingswood School, part of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, which became the go-to school for legends of mid-century design. Florence became very close with Cranbrook head Eliel Saarinen, his wife and their son, Eero. She later studied with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and worked for Marcel Breuer and Bauhaus school founder Walter Gropius. When Florence married Hans in 1946, he had been at work since 1938 on his own eponymous furniture line in New York City.
With Florence’s design acumen, the Knolls turned the company into a powerhouse of modernist design. The Knoll Planning Unit, created by Florence in the mid-1940s, designed office spaces for the likes of GM and CBS, helping to define the postwar corporate aesthetic.
The department’s small team designed furniture with practicality, efficiency and sleekness in mind, attributes that clearly define furnishings such as Eero Saarinen’s sculptural Executive chair, which was introduced in 1948 as the Model 72 and used for the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. (The armed version, which followed in 1950, was also specified for the campus, an architectural project of Saarinen’s.) This seating, as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients, soon became desirable for apartments and houses.
Knoll collaborated with an all-star cast of designers, including Saarinen, whose Womb chair arose from Florence’s request for “a chair that was like a basket full of pillows.” The catalogue includes some of the century’s most recognizable forms: Saarinen’s Tulip chairs, Harry Bertoia’s wire-lattice Diamond chair, the Cyclone table by artist Isamu Noguchi and pieces by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Jens Risom, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who granted Knoll exclusive permission to produce his designs. The manufacturer continues to produce the only authorized version of the elegant and oft-copied Barcelona chair, which Mies created in collaboration with designer Lilly Reich, his creative and romantic partner.
By 1950 — when production for Knoll was moved to East Greenville, Pennsylvania — more than one third of the designs in the company’s portfolio were Florence’s own. She thought of her furniture as “meat and potatoes,” mere practicality.
“People ask me if I am a furniture designer,” she once said. “I am not. . . . I designed the fill-in pieces that no one else was doing.” But decades later, her own designs, like the Florence Knoll sofa, with its clean architectural lines, and her Bauhaus-inspired Lounge chair, are icons in their own right.
In 2021, Knoll was acquired by Herman Miller, another legendary American furniture manufacturer that turned a number of designers into mid-century household names. The combined company operates under the name MillerKnoll.
Find a collection of vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs.
Eero Saarinen 'Executive' Leather Armchair for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eero Saarinen’s 'executive' armchair for Knoll originally designed in the 1950s is an enduring design. First seen in an office setting this piece is now often featured as a dining ch...
Chrome
Mies Van der Rohe + Gratz Barcelona Chair in Leather with Gold Plated Frame
By Knoll, Lilly Reich
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Barcelona Chair, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929. This particular example was produced by Knoll in collaboration with Gratz Industries (formerly Treitel Gratz) and features a striking combination of white leather cushions and a gold-plated steel frame's rare and luxurious variation of the iconic modernist design. The chair was specially produced for an exhibition called "So right its wrong: the gold Barcelona chair" and has since been newly upholstered with new Knoll Barcelona cushions...
Steel
1990s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Tubular Brno Chair w/ Thin Pad in Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Brno Tubular Steel Armchair, Model 245A, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1930. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in Italy in the 1990s. The liste...
Steel
Womb Chair & Ottoman in Performance Gray Chenille by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Stamford, CT
Good design is often born from a desire to challenge the norm. In the late 1940s, friends and collaborators Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen found themselves disillusioned by the rig...
Metal, Chrome
Hannah Morrison for Knoll Mid Century Sling Bench
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Hannah Morrison for Knoll Mid Century Sling Bench This bench measures: 82 wide x 25.5 deep x 17 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Frame...
Metal
Knoll Saarinen Executive Arm Chairs in Schumacher Fabric, Leather, & Walnut
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Eero Saarinen is widely regarded as one of the most influential furniture designers of the 20th century, celebrated for his innovative use of materials and sculptural approach to for...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
2001 Pair of Raul De Armas for Knoll Arm Chairs in Maple Wood with Grey Fabric
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of DeArmas side chairs, originally designed by Raul De Armas in 1991. De Armas was a partner at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill Architects (SOM) in the interior design d...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Early Bertoia Large/ Wide Diamond Chairs - ALL Original
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in North Miami, FL
The wide/ Large diamond chair is the largest of the Bertoia seating group. These vintage chairs have the ORIGINAL brown covers in very good o...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Warren Platner "Easy" Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in North Miami, FL
Luxurious PAIR of model 1705 easy lounge chairs and matching ottoman, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Zinc steel wire rods are bent and welded to form a graceful, sculptural si...
Steel
Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 2000s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Indulge in comfort with the Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll. This iconic chair showcases Saarinen’s visionary design, and Kn...
Metal
Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Wooden Slat & White Metal Bench
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular bench with a wooden slat seat resting on two white finished Y-shaped metal legs. (HARRY BERTOIA FOR KNOLL INTERNATIONAL) Some chipping to finish on ...
Metal
2010's Knoll Mies Van Der Rohe Krefeld Loveseat Sofa Fabric Sets Available
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a (sold separately) gorgeous and original Mies Van Der Rohe Krefeld Sofa, produced by Knoll. Multiples of these two-seater sofas are a...
Fabric
2010s Pair of Harry Bertoia Wire Bar Stools with Leather Pads with Chrome Frames
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Bertoia Stools, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 2010s. Their design consists of a welded...
Steel
Brno Flat-Bar Chairs in Velvet, Brushed Brass by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Wilton, CT
The definition of minimalism in a singular design, achieved by the great Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929; the Brno flat-bar chair is just that. We have edited these contemporary ite...
Brass, Steel
$1,600Sale Price|42% Off
Vintage Florence Knoll Bench
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A vintage Florence Knoll bench purchased out of a local Palm Springs estate. It had been nicely reupholstered and we liked the fabric and left i...
Steel
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll 152 Tulip Swivel Stool with Vinyl Seat
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 152 Tulip Swivel Stool, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the 1960s. The stool features Saarinen's signature ca...
Aluminum
Saarinen Executive Armless Chairs in Navy Velvet, Obsidian Matte
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Wilton, CT
We have been restoring Saarinen Executive Chairs for years in every fabric one can imagine, right in our very own workroom. Skilled craftsmen bring each chair back to life to live on...
Steel
1960s Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll Full-Back Executive Arm Chairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare pair of Saarinen Executive Chairs, Model 68 UPC, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. These examples date to the 1960s. The listed price includes th...
Steel
Pair of Marcus Jehs and Jurgen Laub for Knoll black leather lounge chairs
By Knoll, Jehs & Laub
Located in Ferndale, MI
In my mind this is the 21st century Womb chair . Jehs and Laub lounges for Knoll . Wide seat and comfortable backrest would allow one to easily curl up on it . Strikingly simple Lo...
Steel, Chrome
Four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs for Knoll in Red & Black, 1986 Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Icon of the Memphis Milano Movement. A set of four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin chairs for Knoll. Black Alcantara upholstery. Arms in red lacquer. A 1986 design by Ettore Sottsass for K...
Metal, Steel
Eero Saarinen Conference Side Chair for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Barcelona, ES
Conference side chair designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957 for Knoll Internatinal, USA. Upholstered with mohair fabric and ebonized oak wooden legs.
Fabric, Oak
Mcm Rockwell Unscripted Upholstered Swivel Seat Low Cylinder by Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern rockwell unscripted upholstered swivel seat low cylinder by Knoll. The rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with Classic Knoll dining chairs to create an Eclectic Statement at Your Table or Sprinkle Them Around for impromptu Guest Seating. All are display pieces...
Fabric
Pair of Knoll Studio “Brno Flat Bar” Armchairs in Chrome & White Leather
By Knoll
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is a sublime, immaculately-presented, original pair of “Brno Flat Bar” Armchairs with Arm Pads in White Leather, manufactured by the leading Furnitu...
Leather
Newly Upholstered Knoll International Black Leather Custom Sofa, Germany, 1950s
By Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Knoll International custom sofa in sorensen leather. Germany, 1950s.
Metal
$12,591 / item
Florence Knoll International 4-seater sofa leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
Exceptional, balanced design Manufacturer: Knoll International Design: Florence Knoll Florence Knoll transferred the principles of the architecture of her time to the design of fur...
Steel
Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1980s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Early Easy Lounge chair by Warren Platner for Knoll. The groundbreaking Easy chair was designed in the 1960s by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll in the 1980s. This mid-century ...
Aluminum
1963 Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates Model 715 Adjustable Chaise Lounge
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon steel grid Chaise Lounge, Model 715, designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates in 1963. The geometrically welded-wire frame is powder coated in a matte whi...
Steel
Set of 8 "Brno" Side Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 8 "Brno" Flat Bar Side Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International. Thick steel frame with no visible connections to the black leather seat. "Designed for his r...
Steel
Executive Arm Chairs by Eero Saarinen, Knoll International, Germany, Set of 6
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions larger model: 73 x 60 x 80 x 46 cm (28.7" × 23.6" × 31.5" × 18.1") Dimensions smaller model: 65 x 65 x 78 x 46 cm (25.6" × 25.6" × 30.7" × 18.1") (Width x Depth x Height ...
Steel
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Knoll Charles pollock Deep Navy leather tufted scoop desk chair
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Knoll Charles pollock Deep Navy blue almost black leather tufted scoop desk chair with Black Accents and arms. Charles Pollock Deep navy executive Leather desk chair for ...
Metal
1960s Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll International Brown Leather Three Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous Model No. 263 three-seater sofa, designed by Mies Van Der Rohe and produced by Knoll International. These pieces were produced in the late 1960's to ear...
Leather, Walnut
Early Knoll Power Play Bentwood Ottoman or Footstool by Frank Gehry, 1993
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Power Play ottoman or footstool. By Knoll. Designed by Frank Gehry. In woven strips of blonde bent wood. With folding legs that allow the ottoman to be either flush to the ...
Wood, Bentwood
MR Armless Lounge Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Upholstered seat pad with chrome frame. Signed.
Chrome
Hepplewhite Chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown by Knoll, 1984
By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Kansas City, MO
Hepplewhite chair designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott brown. Signed with the Knoll label. In near perfect condition.
Wood
$639Sale Price|20% Off
Knoll Aluminum & Black Leather Life Chair
By Knoll
Located in East Freetown, MA
Knoll Life fully adjustable office chair. Aluminum and black leather chair with casters and Knoll stamp.
Aluminum
$12,000 / set
Pair of Warren Platner Bronze Finish Lounge Chairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of Warren Platner designed wire lounge chairs for Knoll in bronze finish. there have been re-upholstered in a Knoll velvet. In good overall condition., The fabric is...
Steel
1970s Hannah Morrison for Knoll Armless Sofa in Brown Leather
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Armless Sofa, originally designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a black cast-steel frame, and has an upholstered seat & back. The fram...
Steel
Mid Century Silver Diamond Wire Lounge Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern diamond wire lounge chairs designed by Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978) for Knoll are circa 1970. Originally designed by Bertoia in 1952, t...
Steel, Wire
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Bring timeless elegance into your interior with this iconic vintage two-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. Manufactured in the early 1970s under ...
Chrome
Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge Chair with Purple Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An iconic "Bird Chair" by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. The high back design is a modern statement but also practical by providing additional comfort when lounging. Per Knoll, "The Bird C...
Metal
2010s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair in Leather and Chrome
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Barcelona Lounge Chair, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the 2010s. The chair is comprised of a chrome ste...
Steel
"Power Play" Chair by Frank Gehry for Knoll
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
"Power Play" Chair designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll. Beautiful and ingenious design of 'woven' of bended wood. This particular chair is manufact...
Bentwood
Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa Re-Upholstered in Knoll Rivington Fabric
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely complete re-upholstered vintage Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa or 2 seat settee. The fabric we chose to use is a sophisticated all-over multi...
Steel
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Full-Back Executive Arm Chair, Model 68
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Full-Back Executive Chair, Model 68, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. This example dates to the 1960s. It has many of the features of the mo...
Steel
Early Vintage Eero Saarinen for Knoll Orange Vinyl Executive Arm Chairs - a Pair
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early Vintage Eero Saarinen for Knoll Orange Vinyl Executive Arm Chairs - a Pair. Item features very comfortable form, classic Mid-Century design and early original Knoll label. Circ...
Metal
Original Florence Knoll Sofa Modell 65a Couch Knoll Intenational
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Sofa von Knoll International zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Florence Knoll Bassett und ist bekannt unter der Modellbezeichnung 65a. In un...
Steel
White Bertoia Steel Wire Side Chair With "X" Base by Knoll, Set of 6
By Knoll
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 6 original 1950s white steel wire Bertoia side chairs with "X" base by Knoll. Hans and Florence Knoll never insisted that Harry Bertoia design furniture when they originally ...
Steel
$1,800Sale Price|60% Off
Mies van der Rohe Krefeld Leather Club Chair for Knoll International
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe gray/stone leather Krefeld club chair for Knoll International, circa 1990s. While planning the Esters and Lange residences in Krefeld, Germany, modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe conceived a restrained, emblematic lounge chair, ottoman and companion table...
Leather, Wood
1960s Warren Platner for Knoll Side Table in Bronzed Steel and Glass
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Platner Side Table, model 3710T, originally designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. This particular example features a bronzed-steel base and has a glass top. It date...
Steel
$4,900 / set
Set of 4 Davis Allen 'Exeter' Chairs for Knoll
By Davis Allen, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Refined and minimalist, this set of four “Exeter” chairs — designed by Davis Allen for Knoll — blends functional design with quiet elegance. Each chair features a solid wood frame (t...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Loveseat Sofa For Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early Jens Risom model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll is a classic example of Mid-Century Modern design. The fully upholstered sofa features a high back with rounded edges and reces...
Upholstery, Birch
1984 Charles Pollock for Knoll Desk Chair in Charcoal Grey Fabric, 5x Available
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pollock Executive Chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll in 1963. These particular examples date to 1984. We currently have five chairs available for purchase in this ...
Aluminum
Barcelona Ottoman by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Barcelona ottoman from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International c.1970s, USA. The ottoman has an X-shaped base with a polished chrome finish. The cushion features ...
Chrome
Richard Schultz For Knoll Side Chair With Integrated Ashtray (Pair)
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining/side chair designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll, produced circa 1960s. The chair’s overall form reflects Schultz’s approach to seating design during this period, characteriz...
Aluminum, Chrome
Four Vintage 1970 Made in Italy Stamped Marcel Breuer Cesca Knoll Dining Chairs
By Knoll
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this suite of four, Mid Century Modern circa 1970's, made in Italy stamped, Marcel Breuer, Cesca armchairs with chrome frames and bergere upholster...
Chrome
Set of Four Bentwood Upholstered Armchairs by Bill Stephens for Knoll
By Knoll, Bill Stephens
Located in Dallas, TX
This incredible armchair set, model 1305-U, is the works of the legendary mid-century artist: William 'Bill' Stephens, the young Knoll designer whose 1300 series of chairs took off a...
Bentwood, Upholstery
$9,500 / set
Pair Vintage Warren Platner Chairs For Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair Warren Platner for Knoll vintage chairs. Bronze tone base. Old recover work in very nice condition with minor wear. 36" wide x 27" deep x 30....
Fabric
$4,400 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs, Set of Two
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking pair of armless tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Practically brand new, very light use. Eero Saarinen called himself a “form giver,” and everything he design...
Aluminum
$2,200 / set
Set of 6 Mid-Century Armchairs
By Stendig Co., Knoll, Bill Stephens
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Four Bill Stephens for Knoll, two Stending Co chairs. All in the same upholstery with bentwood arms. 4 chairs measure 31 1/2" h x 22 3/4" w x 23" d. Seat height 17...
Wood
Gae Aulenti for Knoll International Armchairs Mid-Century Modern 1975, Pair
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of armchairs or conference chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. We have 5 sets available. The frames of the chairs are constructed by sculpted metal tubes, sinuous ben...
Metal, Steel
Knoll Seats are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Knoll seating, there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. In stock are 600 vintage editions of these items, while there are 3 modern editions to choose from as well. Many of the original Knoll seating was created in the Mid-Century Modern style in North America during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional seating, many customers also consider seating by Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller and Milo Baughman. Knoll seating prices can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $54,000, while pieces like these can sell for $3,999 on average.