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.
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Settee
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful small sofa or settee designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. Very well made and comfortable with a class...
Leather, Ash
Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Brno Chair in Cato Upholstery 60 available
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Hudson, NY
THIS LISTING IS FOR A SET OF 4 Knoll Brno chair designed by Mies Van der Rohe. These chairs are upholstered in Knoll's Cato upholstery. Color is 'natural'- which reads as a pale oat...
Steel
Single Jamaica Swivel Bar Stool by Pepe Cortes for Amat Spain
By Knoll, Pepe Cortés, Amat-3
Located in San Diego, CA
The Jamaica Swivel Stool from Amat brings an ultra-modern aesthetic to your living space. It was designed by Pepe Cortes. This stool boasts swivel capabilities that allow you to rest...
Chrome
Vintage Leather Butterfly Chair by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Butterfly Chair, designed by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. This example retains it's dark chocolate brown leather sling and the black iron base ha...
Iron
"Barcelona" Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll 1970s Black Leather Lounge Chair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brescia, IT
Black leather in perfect condiction Upholstery in excellent condiction Chrome in excellent condiction "Knoll International" sticker label.
Metal
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
8 Max Pearson for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Red Tulip Swivel Dining Office Chairs
By Max Pearson, Knoll
Located in Dayton, OH
8 Max Pearson for Knoll International red wool upholstered rolling swivel chairs, circa 1960s. Great for conference table or dining use. Tulip shaped padded seats over steel swivel r...
Steel
Set 8 Mies Van Der Rohe For Knoll Stainless Steel Brno Chairs Black Leather 1977
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Mies van der Rohe flatbar Brno for Knoll in stainless steel with the original black Leather Upholstery. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for his celeb...
Stainless Steel
$25,200Sale Price / set|21% Off
Robert Venturi Post-Modern 'Chippendale' Chairs for Knoll International, c. 1985
By Robert Venturi, Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 featuring a black c...
Leather, Laminate, Plywood
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Power play chair and ottoman designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll in very close to new condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs to the wood slats...
Maple
Saarinen Executive Armchair in Saddle Leather, Swivel Base
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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. We’ve restored these chairs using a supple Italian Leather...
Metal
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is created by welding ...
Steel
$18,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Warren Platner Easy Chair and Ottoman in Scalamandre Pink Tigre Fabric
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Saint Louis, US
This original vintage Platner chair and ottoman is a sight for sore eyes. Our vision was to make this chair enticing and of course, visually ...
Metal
Brno Flat-Bar Chairs in Velvet, Obsidian Gloss 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...
Steel
$2,481Sale Price|20% Off
Very rare and early Richard Stein Sofa / Daybed for Knoll
By Knoll, Richard Stein
Located in Munich, DE
All original. can be converted to a bed.
Fabric
Saarinen Executive Armchairs in Velvet, Swivel Base, Gold Edition, Set of 6
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Wilton, CT
The next generation of Eero Saarinen's famed executive chairs have arrived, 100% authentic Eero Saarinen for Knoll executive chairs completely restored ground-up with an extra touch ...
Steel
Original Cognac Leather Hardoy Butterfly Chair, Issued by Knoll, 1950s
By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Butterfly Chair with a tan leather sling, designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, issued by Knoll. This iconic mid-century design exudes a relaxed ...
Leather
Four (4) NIB Cesca Bar Stools Marcel Breuer Knoll Chromed Steel Upholstery
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
At the Bauhaus, Marcel Breuer married traditional craftsmanship with industrial methods and materials to help make tubular steel furniture an international sensation and a modern institution. Marcel Breuer was also the designer of the iconic Wassily chair and the Breuer Building, which now houses the Whitney Museum of American Art in the heart of NYC. This brand new set is in the super elegant "Caviar Hourglass" upholstery, and have never been used. These chairs are new in box, and have been priced near the first-party Knoll price. However, we can offer discounted and faster shipping, and are willing to reasonably negotiate. At this time, we have a total of 8 stools...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Three Harry Bertoia Barstools for Knoll, Signed & New in Original Boxes
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance your home or office space with this exquisite set of three Harry Bertoia barstools for Knoll. Crafted with impeccable attention to deta...
Steel
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Classic Velvet Upholstered Club Chair by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Comfortable velvet upholstered club chair by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Original label. Celebrated interior designer Charles Pfister, whose personal design philosophy was “restrain...
Upholstery, Velvet
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchair, Mid-Century Modern
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchair on wheels. Very nice original condition. Four Chairs currently available. These are all ...
Metal
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Early production Harry Bertoia / Knoll Slat Bench .Wood & Iron. Classic Modern
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
This is an iconic slatted -oak /birch bench ,Model 400 , designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll.. Super early piece (possibly 1st year production) dating back to approx 1952...
Iron
Warren Platner for Knoll, Large Bronzed Steel Table with Upholstered Ottoman Top
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A large bronzed steel ottoman designed by Warren Platner for Knoll upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Winter White fabric. The ottoman was originally a coffee table and the cushion...
Steel
$6,000 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking pair of armed tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Practically brand new, very light use.
Aluminum
'Forest' Chrome Swivel Bar Stool by Arik Levy for Bernhardt Design Knoll Textile
By Bernhardt Design, Arik Levy, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
'Forest' Bar swivel stool designed by Arik Levy for Bernhardt Design The listed price is per bar stool, and have seven stools available for purchase in same colorway. Their design fe...
Chrome, Stainless Steel
$5,276Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Knoll Executive Armchair Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of six (6) Eero Saarinen Mid Century Modern Executive Lounge Dining Armchairs by Knoll Associates. In what is original Knoll fabric which is serviceable and clean but s...
Steel, Chrome
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
Platner Armchair, designed by Warren Platner, produced by Knoll Studio
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Armchair designed and engineered by Warren Platner, produced by Knoll Studio, 1960s. The Platner chair is a masterpiece of mid-century modernism. The frame is made of vertical steel...
Gold
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair for Knoll, Black Lacquered
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Gehry Power Play chair. Hard maple, black finish. Frame constructed of hard white maple veneer strips. The underside of both piece...
Maple
Pair of Mid-Century Knoll Studio Steel Side Chairs & Pads Harry Bertoia 1970s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Portland, OR
Great pair of Mid Century Modern Harry Bertoia side Chairs by Knoll, Inc. Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, an iconic mid-century modern design. Bertoia created sublime grace from...
Stainless Steel
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
Mies van der Rohe Three-Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Chicago, IL
Mies Knoll Production three-seat sofa, reupholstered with Spinneybeck leather aniline dyed hides, tufted seats backs with down and foam filled inside. Rosewood plinth...
Leather, Rosewood
Model 71 Dining Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, USA 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
A confident presence, and unmistakably Saarinen, this Model 71 dining chair embodies over seventy years of refined design thinking, where comfort, elegance, and innovation converge i...
Steel, Chrome
David Rockwell for Knoll Easy Stools – 5 Bar Height & 1 Low Stool
By David Rockwell, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Complete set of five bar-height stools and one low stool from the Easy Collection, designed by David Rockwell for Knoll International. Featuring a clean, contemporary design, each st...
Steel
$1,916Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Bill Bertoia
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of iconic chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Diamond chairs in a dark blue knoll fabric indicating they are from mid to late seventies. Chairs are unsigned but have al...
Steel, Chrome
$1,774Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Grey Wool Upholstered Eero Saarinen Knoll Armchair, One Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
One chair left, sold as an individual chair here. Excellent condition throughout. A Saarinen Executive Armchair with a wooden base, upholstered in a spl...
Wool, Wood
$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
Set of 4 Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Brno Chairs in Cato Upholstery 60 available
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Hudson, NY
Set of 4 Knoll Brno chairs designed by Mies Van der Rohe. These chairs are upholstered in Knoll's Cato upholstery. Color is 'natural'- which reads as a pale oatmeal color. These chai...
Steel
Rare Pair of Aluminum Lounge Chairs by Hannah/Morrison for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely stunning pair of the iconic lounge chair designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll, circa 1970s. Aluminum with polished stainless steel accents. This rare ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll MR Mid Century Black Leather Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll MR Mid Century Black Leather Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 25 wide x 36 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearan...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa Bastiano 2 seater sofa, leather and wood, 1968, Knoll
By Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Bastiano 2 seater sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa. Two piece available. Supporting structure in solid oak. Flying cushions with polyurethane bottom and top in feather on covered steel...
Leather, Oak
Barcelona lounge chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International (Signed)
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Argelato, BO
Early edition Barcelona chairs in black leather, Mies van der Rohe, Knoll International Originally designed in 1926 for the International Exposition, the Barcelona chair was recon...
Metal
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Modern Piero Lissoni for Knoll Divina Club Lounge Chairs Black Leather
By Piero Lissoni, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern Pre Owned Piero Lissoni for Knoll Divina Club Lounge Chair in Black Leather. Clean lines and exceptional comfort characterize the Divina Lounge Chair from Italy’s Piero Lisson...
Chrome
Mid-century Wassily Chair by Knoll International c.1959-1970
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This vintage mid-century modern brown Wassily arm chair designed by Marcel Breuer was manufactured by Knoll International circa 1960. This chair ...
Chrome
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Brno Flat Bar Armchair 255 AC, Black Leather, Italy
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Brno Flat Bar Armchair 255AC, Black Leather with armpads (original design). The Tugendhat House, often considered to b...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Mid Century "Straight Chair" by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a beautiful, early "Straight Chair" by George Nakashima. "Introduced in 1946, the Straight Chair is George Nakashima’s modernist interpretation of the traditional Windsor ch...
Birch
Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia Small Diamond Chairs, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1970s. The chairs are comprised of weld...
Steel
Vintage Pair of Black Bird Lounge Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern Pair of 'Bird' Wire Lounge Chairs designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates, circa 1960's. This iconic space age set is structurally supported by welded stee...
Steel
Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Labeled, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge chair with ottoman, Labeled, 1960s, Original Upholstery Originally designed in 1952, these ergonomic lounge chairs...
Metal
$925Sale Price / item|50% Off
Saarinen Executive Armchair in Original Black Leather, Steel Tubular Legs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Wilton, CT
Manufactured by Knoll Furniture, the mid-century classic vintage Eero Saarinen Executive Armchair in its original black leather and chromed steel tubular legs. We have more chairs av...
Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Executive Swivel Office Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, c. 1950
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in New York City, NY
Executive swivel office chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Made in the United States circa 1950.
Steel
$9,000 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking set of 6 tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Set includes two arm chairs and four side chairs. All chairs swivel. White frames with black cushions. We recommend ne...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Knoll, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern 'Bastiano' sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll. This vintage three-seater sofa features a sturdy oak frame and upholstered in a beautiful turquoise fabric, Italy, 1960s...
Fabric, Oak
Model 71 Dining Chair in La Toile du Peintre by Eero Saarinen, USA 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
A confident presence, and unmistakably Saarinen, this Model 71 dining chair embodies over seventy years of refined design thinking, where comfort, elegance, and innovation converge i...
Steel, Chrome
$4,723Sale Price / set|33% Off
Bauhaus Style Set of 4 Spoleto Chairs by Ufficio Tecnico for Knoll International
By Knoll
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Ufficio Tecnico, Knoll’s own team of engineers and designers, created this cantilevered tubular metal chair in 1971 and called it the Spoleto. The ...
Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman in Red Boucle
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience unparalleled comfort and design with Eero Saarinen's iconic Womb Chair with Ottoman. This 20th-century masterpiece boasts a super soft texture that elevates any space. Ama...
Steel
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Chair and Stool
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Mies van der Rohe's iconic Barcelona chair with stool. Stamped Knoll.
Metal
Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy Butterfly Chair for Knoll in Original Dark Brown Leather
By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy
Located in Berlin, DE
We have another model of the butterfly chair with light brown leather listed. The butterfly chair, also known as the BKF chair or the Hardoy chair, is a folding chair with a simple yet elegant design. The chair consists of a metal frame with a sling seat and backrest made from leather. The frame is typically made of tubular steel and has two curved legs that are connected by a crossbar at the bottom, as well as two more angled legs that support the seat and backrest. The butterfly chair was designed by Argentine architects Juan Kurchan...
Metal
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.