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.
1993 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Dining Chairs in Blue w/ Blue Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Mandarin Chairs, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Knoll in 1986. The listed price includes one chair, and we have three available for purchase in this colorway. ...
Steel
1990s Set of Crassevig & Knoll Gina / Ginotta Dining Chairs by Enrico Franzolini
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four gorgeousGina / Ginotta bent plywood dining chairs with oatmeal-color fabric upholstery, produced by Crassevig, distributed by Knoll in the US, and de...
Fabric, Plywood
1980s Charles Pfister for Knoll Club Chair in Navy Blue Leather, Model 1051C
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pfister Lounge Chair, model 1051C, originally designed by Charles Pfister in 1971. This example dates to the 1980s. The design features a steel frame with plywood inserts, ...
Steel
2021 Knoll Pilot Low Back Armless Chair by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
By Knoll, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original low-back Pilot lounge chair, designed by the British design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for Knoll in 2016. This particular example dates to 2021 and has nev...
Steel
$3,600 / item
Fiberglass Shell Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A barstool with a black fiberglass shell on splayed, painted legs.
Fiberglass
2000s Piero Lissoni for Knoll Divina Lounge Chair in Brown Leather 4x Available
By Knoll, Piero Lissoni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a circa 2008 production Divina lounge chair, designed by Piero Lissoni and produced by Knoll. Four chairs are available, though the price listed is for each one. The chairs c...
Steel, Chrome
1990s Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Dining Chair in Silver w/ Grey Upholstery
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Mandarin Chairs, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Knoll in 1986. The listed price includes one chair, and we have three available for purchase in this colorway. ...
Steel
1990s Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Dining Chairs in Mint Green w/ Upholstery
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Postmodern armchair, initially designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in 1986. These examples date to the 1990s, and the listed price includes one chair. We have three chair...
Steel
C. 2006 Richard Sapper for Knoll Management Desk Chair in Red Leather
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sapper Series management desk chair, designed by Richard Sapper in 1979 and produced by Knoll. These examples date to circa 2006. The listed price includes one chair, and w...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Brown Lounge Chair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Classic and timeless design authentic Krefeld brown leather lounge chair. Mid-Century Modern was originally Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1927 for the Esters and Lange residences in Krefeld, Germany. One of the most popular designs of the 20th century a masterpiece that fits seamlessly into any environment. Classic detailing, clean lines and exceptional comfort make the Krefeld lounge appropriate for residential and commercial use. Specifications: Upholstery: Leather, color brown saddle. Cushions are high-density foam with a Dacron top layer. The seat uses coil-spring suspension for enhanced comfort. The back uses dynamic suspension for added flexibility and support. The inner frame is constructed in engineered hardwood and plywood. Legs are ash hardwood in a medium cherry finish. The seat cushion is reversible. Model: 751 Krefeld lounge chair...
Leather, Fabric, Hardwood, Plywood
Harrie Bertoia, Diamond Chair 421, Black & White with Black Vinyl Cushion
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Early Harry Bertoia two-tone diamond chair. Black and white lacquered frame with original black seating. This icon is in divers sizes designed. This is a beauty according size and m...
Metal
C. 1946 Rare Ralph Rapson for Knoll Associates Dining / Side Arm Chair in Birch
By Ralph Rapson, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptional early Knoll Associates armchair, designed by Jens Risom. This example has what looks to be a natural maple frame and lovely striped black fabric. Th...
Fabric, Birch
Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll & Associates, 1952
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A spare and sculptural stool crafted from shaped steel rods, retaining the original red upholstery. Measures: 40.5" tall, seat height 31". Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, manufac...
Steel
Rare Barstool Enameled, Brushed Chrome Steel w/ Upholstered Seats By Knoll, 1960
By Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bar or counter stool having a patinated steel frame with a floating satin steel footrest and an upholstered square seat.
Steel
Harry Bertoia for, Knoll International, Large Bird Chair in Black
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Black bird chair with black cushion. This chair is in a fair condition. It chair shows some traces of wear but still looks beautiful. The frame has lo...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen for Knoll White and Black Executive Arm Chair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Saarinen Executive armchair by Knoll. One of Knoll's most popular designs that achieved supreme comfort through the shape of its shell. It was i...
Steel, Chrome
Modern Knoll Open Up Black Leather Ergonomic Chair Designed by Mathias Seiler
By Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The open up chair is a fully adjustable ergonomic office task chair, feature a sleek modern look with a slim contoured leather seat and a generous reclining ba...
Steel
1995 Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin Dining Chair in Silver Pink Upholstery
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Mandarin Chair, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in 1986. This chair dates to 1995. It has sculptural, silver enameled-steel arms, and has an upholstered seat & back i...
Steel
Price Upon Request
16 Fine Mid-Century Armchairs by De Coene Freres for Knoll International
By Knoll, De Coene Frères
Located in Long Island City, NY
Sixteen fine Belgian solid oak arm chairs by De Coene Freres for Knoll International LTD New-York. To our knowledge, this rare model was commissioned for a project in Belgium. One ch...
Oak
Price Upon Request
Empire Chair in Molded Plywood by Robert Venturi & Denise Scott, 1984
By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in New York, NY
Empire chair in molded plywood with laminated finish in the "Grandmother" pattern. Designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll, USA, 1984.
Plywood
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.