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.
2014 Knoll Studio Eero Saarinen Executive Armless Side Chairs White
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a fantastic set of (sold separately) Eero Saarinen Executive Armless chairs with white vinyl upholstery and chrome bases, produced by Knoll. These chairs have the ...
Chrome
Warren Platner Lounge Chairs, Restored in Loro Piana Leather and Linen, Pair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Icons. Released by Knoll, Platner’s lounge chair lends mid-century cool to any room. The famous lounge chair is created by welding curved steel rods to circular and semi-circular fra...
Steel
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black Wire Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six wire dining chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, represents one of the most iconic and enduring designs of mid-century modern furniture. Introduced in the ear...
Metal
Saddle Leather Desk Chair by Otto Zapf for Knoll, 1980s USA
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Who says the perfect desk chair doest exist...? Otto Zapf design for Knoll International. Early 4 star base. Perfect desk/office chair. Cloud like cushions in the back arms and seat...
Metal
Florence Knoll Cream Leather Love Seat Sofa With Chrome Base
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing condition, cream leather sofa by Florence Knoll please look at video and pictures for overall detail. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Chrome
Set of Four (4) Knoll Mies van der Rohe Tubular Brno Dining Chairs in Wool Blend
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A lovely and complete set of 4 Brno armchair dining chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Knoll. These feature chrome tubular frames with light grey wool blend ...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Womb Lounge Chair in Brown Cato Wool, Eero Saarinen for Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Womb lounge chair designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll is from the 1990s as evidenced by the stamped signature and Knoll Studio mark on the leg. This authentic vintage ch...
Steel, Chrome
$556Sale Price / item|20% Off
Knoll Cesca Armless Cane Chair
By Knoll
Located in Commerce, CA
A Herman Miller Brand! Marcel Breuer's Cesca Chair (1928) by Knoll is a comfortable cantilever design with a poetic blend of materials. Named after his daughter Francesca, the icon...
Steel, Metal
Pair of Wassily Chairs by Knoll in Brown Leather and Chrome
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Wassily sling armchairs by Knoll in brown leather and chrome. The Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair, was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925–1926 while he was the...
Chrome
$9,500Sale Price|20% Off
Warren Platner Bronze Wire Easy Chair for Knoll International, c 1966, Signed
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A collectors example early production Warren Platner 'Easy' chair for Knoll International, United States, circa 1966. This iconic high-back lounge chair, often affectionately referre...
Bronze
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Mandarin Chairs for Knoll w/ Bamboo Arms
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Memphis Mandarin chairs, bamboo arms Listing is for a pair. Style of Memphis Milo Baughman
Bamboo
Florence Knoll Leather Bench, Knoll Associates Inc.
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Florence Knoll bench with early label Knoll Associates, Inc. Madison Ave, NY. We had the bench redone in brown leather. Bench measures 80" wide, 20" deep and 17.5" high. The bench...
Steel
1990s Ettore Sottsass Studio Westside Lounge Chair in Multi-Color Fabric
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Westside Collection Lounge Armchair, initially designed by Ettore Sottsass for KnollStudio in 1983. Not too many of these were produced. This one dates to the 1990s based o...
Steel
1970s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk or Dining Chair in Hopsack Fabric
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Chair, Model 71 USB, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. This particular example dates to the 1970s. The listed price includes one ch...
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox Blood Leather Bench, 2 Available
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox-Blood Red 60" Leather and Chrome Bench. Very nice shape. Two Benches available! one has one small dull spot as seen in photos and the other has rub mar...
Chrome
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
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. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
Mies van der Rohe Brno Tubular Armchair by Knoll, Leather & Chrome
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mies van der Rohe Tubular Brno Chair, 2 available, priced separately. Chrome is super clean, leather shows wear and tear. Chairs are from the 1980's with Knoll labels. Use as is or r...
Chrome
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern a Pair
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. These ethereal chairs, seeming floating in air are fully labeled with an embossed Knoll, Vignelli design and a paper Knoll Label. This...
Fiberglass
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Brown Leather Barcelona Daybed for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona daybed, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International. Made of chromed steel and coffee brown leather. Fully restored in Italy. The ...
Chrome
1980s Pair of Don Petitt for Knoll 1105 Bentwood Armchair in Oak with Tan Fabric
By Don Pettit, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of iconic No. 1105 chairs, designed by Don Petitt for Knoll. This is a notable pair that came from the home of a Knoll employee, who worked at the company f...
Fabric, Oak, Bentwood
$22,036Sale Price / set|20% Off
Black Leather Mirror Pair of Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll Lounge Chair
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Originally named "The New Weissenhof Chair," this exquisite pair of chairs was conceived by the talented design duo, Trix & Robert Haussmann, and manufactured by Knoll International....
Leather, Mirror
1950s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Slatted Oak Bench w/ Base, Model 400
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an iconic slatted-oak bench, Model 400, designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll. It is an early piece, and dates to circa 1952. The bench was constructed using solid ...
Steel
Eero Saarinen Limited Edition ‘Conference’ Armchairs of UNESCO Paris
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, limited edition ‘Conference’ armchairs, velvet, coated metal, France, Paris, designed in 1957 These armchairs were commissioned by the UNESCO ...
Metal
2011 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Chrome Bar Stools with Ivory Fabric Seat Pads
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Bertoia Bar Stools, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in 2011. The stools are comprised of welded and chromed s...
Steel
2007 Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Tubular Brno Dining Chairs in Patterned Fabric
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Brno Tubular-Steel Armchair, Model 245, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1930. The listed price includes one chair, and we have several chairs available for purc...
Steel
Mid-Century Button-Tufted Black Leather Armless 3-Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century (Knoll style) armless black leather 3-seat sofa with chrome steel base and classic button-tufted leather seat & back Light wear, consistent with use.
Steel
Set of 6 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen produced by Knoll International ca. 1970
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Geneva, CH
Set of 6 tulip swiveling dining chairs by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International ca. 1970s Original red wool cushions invery good condition. Manufacturer label under the c...
Aluminum
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
A design classic by Florence Knoll. A stunning vintage example newly upholstered in Paul Smith stripes by Maharam, with new foam. The chrome base shows its age and has some chrome l...
Chrome
$24,650 / set
Bill Stephens Knoll Vintage 1315 Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Bill Stephens
Located in Dallas, TX
A great set of club lounge chairs designed by an alum of Philadelphia's own University of the Arts, Bill Stephen was a designer and director at Knoll where he produced a series of ch...
Bouclé, Wood
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Texas Sheepskin
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team! We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most p...
Sheepskin
Rare Florence Knoll Model 65 Slipper Lounge Chair, 1956
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Slipper chair designed in 1955 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International. Rare Model No. 65, only produced from 1955-1973. We bought this chair directly from the family ...
Chrome
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Diamond Black Wireframe Accent Chair Mid Century Modern
By Knoll
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Harry Bertoia Diamond chair for Knoll. The Diamond chair was designed by Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. It has become one of the quintessential mid century modern seating designs, taki...
Aluminum
2000s Knoll / AMAT 3 Jamaica Bar Stools designed by Pepe Cortes 10x Available
By Knoll, Pepe Cortés
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (multiple stools are available, priced individually) Jamaica bar stool, originally designed by Pepe Cortes for AMAT-3 in 1993. These stools are a later Knoll & AMAT-...
Aluminum
Set of Two beige Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, USA, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two Early Eero Saarinen womb chairs and ottoman for Knoll, USA - 1960s. Newly upholstered in a Knoll fabric. The measurements giv...
Metal
$6,000 / set
Mies Van Der Rohe Calfskin Brno Chairs Set of 4
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Saint Louis, US
A set of 4 Mies Van der Rohe Brno chairs fully reupholstered in a California alabaster cowhide. The intelligent creative eye of Van der Rohe makes the chairs appear as if they are floating in thin air...
Stainless Steel
1990s Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin Dining Chairs in Red w/ Upholstery
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Postmodern “Mandarin” armchair, initially designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in 1986. These examples date to the 1990s, and the listed price includes one chair. We h...
Steel
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
$3,960Sale Price / set|42% Off
Set of 8 Ginotta Dining Chairs by Enrico Franzolini Dining Chairs for Knoll. Cir
By Knoll, Enrico Franzolini
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 8 Postmodern Ginotta Dining Chairs by Enrico Franzolini Dining Chairs for Knoll. Circa 1980s In 1989 Knoll introduced the Franzolini chair, a thoroughly modern interpretation ...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll International
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This pair of Platner chairs are in great condition, the chrome rods are not at all rusty or bent and the upholstery has just been done in a Salm...
Chrome
East Side Lounge Chair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, Italy, 1980's
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Wonderful lounge chair with its original soft leather upholstery in great condition. This suburb lounge chair features gray lacquered steel feet with translucent plastic end pieces. ...
Metal
Brno Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll - 3 Available
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Bruno' arm chair with metal frame and cantilevered seat and back retaining the original upholstery. Sold per item/per chair. Three available.
Steel
1960s Warren Platner Dining Arm Chair in Bronze Finish w/ Hopsack Upholstery
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Platner Dining Armchair, model 1725, initially designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. This is an early example, dating to the late 1960s. The frame of this chair is ...
Steel
Knoll Associated Leather Strap Wooden Bench with Two Drawer Cabinet
By Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American rectangular wooden bench with a lattice mesh of 2" wide leather strapping plus removable two-drawer cabinet with inlaid blue enamel top, standing on four metal l...
Brass
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chairs and Ottoman in Holly Hunt Boucle'
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the epitome of mid-century modern elegance with this pair of iconic Warren Platner Easy Chairs for Knoll, with matching ottoman reupholstered in luxurious Holly Hunt white b...
Nickel
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll Sling Settee Sofa Design, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic Knoll sling bench designed by Hannah Morrison, black coated aluminum frame with grey wool upholstery. Some small marks on the frame but in otherwis...
Aluminum, Steel
Black Leather Desk Chair by Richard Sapper for Knoll Inc/Knoll Intl, France 1992
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Leather Office chair for Knoll Inc/Knoll International, France 1992. Original leather in excellent condition.
Leather
Barcelona Daybed Sofa Model 258L by By Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Barcelona Daybed Sofa, Model 258L, designed by Lilly Reich and Mies van der Rohe in 1930. This example was produced by Knoll Associates in the 1980s. It features a tubular polished s...
Stainless Steel
$3,349Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' sofa set by Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century black fabric and ebonized wood frame 'bastiano' sofa set designed by Tobia Scarpa and produced by Knoll. The design dates from 1962, this one was produced in the late s...
Fabric, Wood
Early Bird Chair & Ottoman Bouclé by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Aachen, NW
Early Bouclé wool edition Bird chair & ottoman by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. The groundbreaking Bird chair was designed in the 50s by Harry Bertoia and made by Knoll. This mid-century classic supports countless positions and offers a comforting oasis of calm. This edition is a very nice fully restored Bouclé...
Steel
MR Lounge Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rhoe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and unusual pair of MR Lounge Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rhoe from the MR collection, 1927. The lounge chairs are early Knoll production constructed of polished chrome t...
Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair This chair measures: 25.75 wide x 24.5 deep x 32.25 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Fiberglass
2015 Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll Dining Arm Chairs with Wooden Legs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International in 1950. These examples were produced in the USA in 2015. These pieces feature uphol...
Foam, Oak, Fabric
Eero Saarinen Ottoman Fußhocker Knoll Intenational Tulip Hocker
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vintage Fußhocker von Knoll International aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Eero Saarinen, einem der renommiertesten und bek...
Aluminum
1990 Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair in Tan Leather
By Lilly Reich, Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Barcelona Lounge Chair, model 250LS, initially designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929. This example was produced by Knoll in the United States in 1990. It features a solid, hand-polished stainless-steel frame (vs. the more commonly seen chrome-plated editions) and has cushions upholstered in a toffee brown or dark tan leather. The retail price of this chair was over double the cost of a standard chrome Barcelona chair...
Steel
Set 4 Charles Pollock Armchairs Designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four executive armchairs design by Charles Pollock for Knoll International. These chairs are signed and dated 1977 with original fabric. All chairs are in good vintage conditi...
Chrome
Pair of Florence Knoll Fabric and Steel Ottomans 1965
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 1209PC Fabric and Steel Ottomans, 1965 Reupholstered in Spinneybeck Leather A classic pair of Florence Knoll ottomans...
Steel
Canapé Modèle 54 par Gae Aulenti pour Knoll – Restauration Bonjour Gallery
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rouen, FR
Canapé deux places Modèle 54, conçu par Gae Aulenti dans les années 1970 pour Knoll International. Icône du design post-moderniste italien, ce modèle se distingue par sa structure tu...
Metal
1960s Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chairs - A Pair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of Warren Platner throne Easy Lounge chairs for Knoll. These chairs typically come with a fully upholstered fiberglass shell insert however when we found these chairs all tha...
Iron
Pair Vintage Brown Tugendhat Lounge Chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll 1960s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern brown leather Tugendhat lounge chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Associates are circa 1960....
Steel, Chrome
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.