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.
$6,500 / set
Frank Ghery Hat Trick Arm Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Ghery hat trick arm chairs for Knoll, bentwood furniture inspired by the simple bushel basket. Gehry quotes:"These come out of m...
Maple
Rare Richard Schultz Indoor Wire Upholstered Chaise Lounge for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A white plastic coated wire chaise lounge with adjustable backrest and orange Knoll fabric two piece cushion . This rare chaise was produced for in door use since unlike the outdoor ...
Wire
Eero Saarinen Tulip Arm Chair Knoll 1960s Original
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Espoo, FI
Tulip chair with armrests, white with brown leather upholstered seat cushion. Designer Eero Saarinen. Manufacturer Knoll. The chair is in good used condition. Manufacturer's stamp on...
Metal
Early Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Stool with Original Fabric
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exceptional early example of Eero Saarinen’s timeless design for Knoll International, this iconic stool showcases the elegance and simplicity that define mid-century modernism. Retaining its original upholstery, the stool reflects Saarinen’s refined approach to form and function. Measuring 15 inches in diameter and 18 inches in height, the piece is perfectly scaled for use as a vanity stool...
Aluminum
East Side Lounge Chair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, Italy, 1980's
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
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
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
Knoll Florence Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this iconic two-seater reflects her architectural approach to furniture—restrained, geometric, and timeless. With softened proportions and deeper ...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Cini Boeri - Pair of Lounge Chairs / Loveseats "Gradual" for Knoll, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Pair of “Loft” Lounge Chairs by Cini Boeri for Knoll International, Italy, 1970s Striking pair of “Loft” lounge chairs (also referred to as loveseats) designed by Cini Boeri for Kno...
Leather
2023 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Lounge Chair in Purple Fabric
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Womb Lounge Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen for Florence Knoll and Knoll Associates in 1948. This particular example was manufactured by Knoll in the USA in 2023. The piec...
Steel
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
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Tulip Armchairs by Knoll, 1950s
By Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 mid-century white resin tulip armchairs with vinyl seat cushions and painted metal pedestal bases (EERO SAARINEN FOR KNOLL) Scratches in finish to chairs and bases and wear...
Metal
$9,500 / set
Pair of Barstools by Horst Brüning for Knoll
By Horst Bruning, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of split beam steel bar stools with black leather seats.
Steel
1970s Pair of Mies van der Rohe Tugendhat Armless Lounge Chairs in Camel Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Tugendhat Armless Lounge Chairs, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929. These particular examples were produced by Knoll International in the 1970s, and ...
Steel
Sling Sofa in Steel and Bouclé by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage three-seat armless sofa in charcoal bouclé with an off-white powder-coated steel frame designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll (1971, New York, NY USA). The de...
Steel
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Maple Frame Knoll Sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll
By Lewis Butler for Knoll, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage maple frame Knoll sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll. An arm-less sofa with walnut back legs, cotton web seats and back support. A great example of classic Knoll style and substa...
Teak
Saarinen Executive Armless Chairs in Sand Mohair, Ebony Oak Legs by Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Eero Saarinen’s design career, though tragically short, left an indelible mark on the worlds of furniture and architecture. His visionary work was far ahead of its time, driven by an...
Fabric, Mohair, Upholstery, Oak
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
Mid Century Silver Diamond Wire Lounge Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
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
Mies van der Rohe Three-Seat Sofa
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
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
2000s Knoll / AMAT 3 Jamaica Bar Stools designed by Pepe Cortes 7x Available
By Pepe Cortés, Knoll
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
nicely Restored Early Production Eero Saarinen Grasshopper Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eero Saarinen's "Grasshopper " chair model 61 was the first lounge chair he designed for Knoll in the late 1940s even before designing the Womb chair . Responding to what he saw as t...
Fabric, Maple
Saarinen Executive Arm Chairs in Camel Leather with Brass Legs, Set of 6
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Eero Saarinen remains one of the most influential furniture designers of the 20th century, celebrated for his sculptural approach to form and his pioneering use of materials. His ico...
Metal, Brass
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe MR10 Dining Chairs for Knoll International
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
These iconic MR10 dining chairs designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and manufactured by Knoll International are cherished for their sleek design, high quality of metal work and ove...
Chrome
Knoll Tulip Dining Set by Eero Saarinen 1960s Large Marble Table Armchairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Magnificent fully original tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 6 original marked tulip armchairs and the ...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Set of 10 Eero Saarinen for Knoll 72C Executive Armless Chairs Chrome Legs *2016
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Eero Saarinen originally designed this chair in the 1950s MCM period for Knoll, model 72C armless executive chair with tubular steel legs, these have a production date of 2016, This ...
Chrome
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid Century Lounge Chairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Pair of iconic mid century club chairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates ( Park Ave ). These chairs are in very good, clean, ready to use condition, they were reuphol...
Steel
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Three Seat Sofa for Reupholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA at around the same time. It is a ...
Steel
2010s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair with Ottoman / Stool
By Lilly Reich, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Barcelona Lounge Chair and Ottoman, originally designed by Lilly Reich and Mies van der Rohe in 1929. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA in the 2010s....
Steel
$3,930 / set
Pair of Mies Van Der Rohe Brno Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Chair for Knoll. Designed for the Tugendhat House in Brno, Czech Republic.
Stainless Steel
$3,211 / set
L54 pair of armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of Gae Aulenti model 54L design armchairs for Knoll international. Beautiful timeless design armchairs with black lacquered metal frames and orange/red fabric upholstery. The ...
Metal
Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Chrome
1961 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair and Ottoman w/ Original Receipt
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Bird lounge chair and coordinating ottoman, models 423LU/424YU, initially designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. This chair and ottoman were originally purc...
Steel
(4) Saarinen Executive Armchairs Holly Hunt Leather JS 6013/13 Mustique leather
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
Pair of Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of Model 1705 easy chairs with ottoman, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Zinc steel wire rods are bent and welded to form a graceful, sculptural Silhouette. A generously ...
Zinc
Mid-Century Modern Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Tubular Brno Chairs x 2
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll chrome tubular Brno 245 chairs. Various colors, 1-green and 1-purple. Have acceptable fabric, Chrome is nice condition, some retain lab...
Chrome
Knoll Saarinen Armchair Light Gray With Chrome Base Set of 5
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Nice set of 5 modern Knoll Saarinen armchairs please feel free to reach out with any questions
Chrome
1990 Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair in Tan Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll, Lilly Reich
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
2014 Knoll Studio Eero Saarinen Executive Armless Side Chairs White
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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
1960s Set of Four Marcel Breuer for Knoll / Gavina Cesca Chairs
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Cesca Arm Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These particular examples were manufactured by Knoll / Gavina in Italy in the 1960s. The classic...
Steel
2005 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Diamond Lounge Chairs in w/ Blue Seat Pads
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are classic Bertoia Diamond Chairs, Model 421, initially designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. These particular examples date to 2005. The listed price includes one chai...
Steel
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
Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1963
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...
Aluminum
Vintage Florence Knoll Slipper Lounge Chairs Restored in Leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of unique and very high-quality 'slipper chairs' model 51W, an early design by American designer Florence Knoll dates from 1955 and is becoming more rare to find nowa...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
One mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Knoll originally in 1946. This early design has a hard maple frame with new linen upholstery.
Fabric, Maple
1950s Florence Knoll Associates Three Seat Sofa Redone by East Penn Upholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original Florence Knoll three-seater sofa, designed by the renowned Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll Associates. This example was produced during the later ...
Steel
$9,000 / set
Set of custom ordered Florence Knoll Benches
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Amarillo, TX
Florence Knoll Pair of benches USA 1954 leather, steel Measures: 48 W x 19.5 D x 16.75 H inches Pair of custom-sized Florence Knoll benches in a custom flat steel finish wit...
Steel
Model 71 Dining Chair in Alpaca Bouclé 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
1973 Florence Knoll International Slipper Lounge Chair Brown/Burnt Orange Fabric
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1973 Florence Knoll for Knoll International slipper lounge chair in burnt orange/brown fabric. This example is beautifully preserved and in honest orig...
Metal
Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Chair, Circa 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
Warren Platner for Knoll circa 1970s armchair / dining chair. In the 1960's, Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a sculptural furniture collection, creating what is now consi...
Steel
$1,116Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Black Leather 1960s Eero Saarinen Knoll Executive Armchair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Basel, BS
A Saarinen Executive Armchair in Black leather with a metal base. This chair is completely original from the 1960's, and beautifully patinated. The leather is conditioned and rock ...
Metal
2020 Knoll Risom Side Chair in Maple with Tan Straps, Model 666C-WB
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Risom side chair, Model 666C-WB, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943. This example dates to 2020. The design features a lacquered maple frame, and has tan cotton webbi...
Steel
Barcelona Ottoman by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
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
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Mid Century Sofa
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 91 wide x 36 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 24.75 inches Good Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Wood
Frank Gehry for Knoll Mid Century Power Play Chair and Ottoman
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Frank Gehry for Knoll Mid Century Power Play Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 32 wide x 30.5 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 2...
Wood
Vintage MCM Warren Platner for Knoll Chrome Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This iconic set of four Warren Platner dining chairs for Knoll is a masterclass in Mid-Century Modern architectural design. Conceived in 1966, the Platner Collection transformed indu...
Chrome
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
Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s, Set of 6
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 chairs in fiberglass, aluminium and pink fabric. Stamped Knoll. Seat height 46cm. Wear due to time and age of the chairs. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Aluminum
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bar Stools, Metal Wire Design, Circa 2020s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in San Antonio, TX
Set of 4 Bertoia bar stools for Knoll in white with black vinyl seat pads. Bar stools are fairly new, made in the mid to late 2000s, little before 2020. Stools measure at 40" height ...
Steel, Chrome
$6,586 / set
1950s Grasshopper Chair and Stool for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Praha, CZ
- The chair was carefully refurbished from early model original piece. - The wooden parts have been black lacquered in high gloss finish. - Newly upholstered in white leather. - S...
Leather, Wood
$4,900Sale Price / item|24% Off
Otto Zapf for Knoll International Leather Executive Chairs, c. 1985, Reupholsted
By Knoll, Otto Zapf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous newly reupholstered leather management desk chair is by Otto Zapf for Knoll International, circa 1985. Constructed of heavily cushioned sections, with the top head sect...
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.