Inspired by the Bauhaus — founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius — Walter Knoll decided to bet big on modernism. He launched his eponymous German furniture maker in 1925, and the company has been going strong ever since.
Most design lovers are familiar with Knoll, the manufacturer of furniture by Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other modernist giants. It was founded by Hans Knoll in 1941 and led after his death by his wife, Florence Knoll, the doyenne of postwar American office interiors. In recent years, the company has added collections by Maya Lin, Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry and David Adjaye, among others, and encouraged customers to do what some of them had been doing all along: use Knoll’s “office furniture” at home.
Fewer Americans are familiar with Walter Knoll, the company Hans’s father founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1925 and later moved to nearby Herrenberg. That company has existed in the shadow of the larger U.S.-based Knoll for decades.
Both companies descended from the German manufacturer of ornate leather goods established by Wilhelm Knoll in 1866. In 1907, Wilhelm’s sons, Willy and Walter, took over the father’s business and started producing leather club chairs. Five years later, the company introduced its Nestra line of stripped-down wood and leather seating, foreshadowing the family’s future innovations.
In 1925, when he was 50, Walter Knoll launched the Walter Knoll Company, which soon released the revolutionary Prodomo line of chairs, whose upholstered seats and backs are supported by tubular metal frames. Other lightweight Walter Knoll pieces were used in the passenger compartment of the Hindenburg zeppelin.
In 1927, Walter Knoll furnished five apartments designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the Weissenhof Estate, 21 prototypes of “workers’ housing of the future” constructed as part of an exhibition in Stuttgart. A decade later, Walter’s son Hans, then 24, traveled to the United States to market his father’s furniture and to make a new life for himself in the New World. But inspired by his encounters with Jens Risom — a Danish-born designer who furthered Scandinavian modernism in the United States — Hans broke away from Walter, creating Knoll Associates (now known simply as Knoll). Florence Schust (later to become Hans’s wife) joined him in the company in 1943, and soon they were working with mid-century modern icons such as Saarinen and Bertoia on new designs and licensing Mies’s Barcelona chair.
After the war, with his factories destroyed and labor and materials in short supply, Walter Knoll turned to Hans for help. Hans sent over several pieces from his Vostra line, designed by Risom. Walter replaced the web seats with upholstery and launched his version of the Vostra at the New Living exhibition in Cologne in 1949. It became hugely successful, persuading many Germans still accustomed to traditional furniture to give modernism a go.
Walter Knoll retired in 1964, but his namesake firm continued growing in Germany. Just like the American Knoll, Walter Knoll has found that some customers want to use pieces originally meant as office furniture in their houses. In fact, these pieces give living and dining rooms a crispness that almost no residential furniture can match.
Find vintage Walter Knoll lounge chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Walter Knoll 'Piccolino' Lounge Chair in Beige Brown Leather
By Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Walter Knoll, 'Piccolino' lounge chair, leather, Germany, 1960s This half round lounge chair by Walter Knoll is designed in the 1960s. This model is called Piccolino and has thick, ...
Leather
Fabricius & Kastholm FK 6725 Armchair for Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model FK6725 armchair by Danish design duo, Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, c.1970s, Denmark. The swivel armchair features a three leg aluminum base, with orig...
Aluminum
Original Vestervik Eriksen Midcentury Stuhl Tromborg Teak 1960
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Midcentury Sessel/ Easy chairs von Knoll Antimott zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Wilhelm & Walter Knoll und zeichnet sich durch seine zeitlose Ele...
Teak
Pair of Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll Cordovan Leather Lounge Chairs
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of lounge chairs designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll (Germany, 1972). Aptly named the "Conversation Chairs" due to their thoughtful, functi...
Steel, Chrome
Early Pair of Bauhaus Chrome Armchairs KF-406 by Walter Knoll for Thonet, 1930s
By Walter Knoll, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930 - extremely rare - maker: Thonet (marked) - design:L Walter Knoll - publicated (see the pictures) - original condition suitable for new upholstery - chrome with patina.
Chrome
Walter Knoll "Antimott" Lounge Chair with Bouclé Cushions Germany, 1950s
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll "Antimott" Lounge Chair with Bouclé Cushions Germany, 1950s The "Antimott" midcentury armchair, designed by Walter Knoll in Germ...
Fabric, Cherry
$2,410Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pearson Lloyd Set of Two Lounge Chairs 90’s
By Pearson Lloyd, Walter Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Beautiful shell chairs by the renowned London based design team Pearson Lloyd. The chair has a very stable white plastic shell on the outside, while the inner shell is comfortably upholstered and covered in real leather. Luke Pearson...
Aluminum
2003 Walter Knoll Art Collection Arm Dining Side Chairs in Steel & Grey Leather
By Walter Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are sophisticated modern Art Collection armchairs, produced by Walter Knoll in Germany. These examples date to 2003. The listed price includes one chair, and we have several ch...
Steel
2003 Walter Knoll Art Collection Dining Side Arm Chairs in Steel & Brown Leather
By Walter Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are modern Art Collection armchairs, produced by Walter Knoll in Germany. These examples date to 2003 and came from a hedge fund in Manhattan. The listed price includes one cha...
Steel, Chrome
$5,500Sale Price / set|42% Off
Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kashtolm Swivel Chairs for Walter Knoll 1970s Signed
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible set of four swivel lounge chairs by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll (Germany) featuring soft luxurious charcoal black suede leather seats and contrasting black leather arms, back and trim with matte chromed steel. Signed on some examples with foil label. *Priced as a set of four, contact us if you wish to purchase a pair. These rare collectors chairs are height adjustable via a lever underneath which can telescope the height by 3". As swivel chairs, they are ideal for many uses such as a desk chair, guest chairs, meeting room chairs, dining table or game table chairs, or even in a living room or den. Extremely high quality craftsmanship that you don't get in todays products. And timeless classic design that famed architects Fabricius and Kastholm were known and celebrated for. These rotating height adjusting suede, steel and leather armchairs by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kashtolm for Walter Knoll would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as side chairs, dining, cafe or breakfast table chairs...
Suede
$2,169 / item
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Armchairs
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm tulip armchairs in indian red leather Frame of brushed steel. Made by Walter Knoll. Price per chair
Stainless Steel
$3,375Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Walter Knoll Armchairs Model 550 from 50s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition with trace of age and use for this set of two rosewood armchairs designed by Walter Knoll and produced in Germany during the 50s.
Wood
Armchair by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Armchair by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Walter Knoll.
Steel
2x Original Walter Knoll Sessel Jason 391 Wildleder beige Design
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von zwei wunderschönen Sesseln vom deutschen Qualitätshersteller Walter Knoll zum Verkauf an. Die Sessel, die den Modellnamen "Jason 391" tragen, sind mit hochwertig...
Leather
2x Original Midcentury Sessel Wilhelm Knoll Walter Knoll Teak II
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von zwei wunderschönen Wilhelm Knoll Vintage Sesseln aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Preis bezieht sich auf einen Sessel. Bei der Abnahme von beiden Exempl...
Teak
2x Original Midcentury Sessel Wilhelm Knoll Walter Knoll Teak
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von zwei wunderschönen Wilhelm Knoll Vintage Sesseln aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Preis bezieht sich auf einen Sessel. Bei der Abnahme von beiden Exempl...
Teak
Mid Century Modern Model 350 Chairs By Arno Votteler For Walter Knoll Germany
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid Century Modern Model 350 Chairs By Arno Votteler For Walter Knoll, Germany 1950s These are a pair of original model 350 chairs designed by Arno V...
Steel
Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970
By Walter Knoll
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970s This set of two modern armchairs or side chairs was manufactu...
Leather, Bentwood
2016 Bob Swivel Guest Chair by Pearson Lloyd for Coalesse / Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Pearson Lloyd
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bob Guest Swivel Chair, Model 231, designed by Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd for Coalesse / Walter Knoll in 2014. These chairs were manufactured in...
Aluminum, Steel
2er Set Vintage Mid Century Sessel Walter Knoll 1970er Armlehnstuhl
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering two beautiful vintage armchairs from Walter Knoll for sale. The armchairs are characterized by their high seating comfort and very good quality. The ends of the armre...
Fabric
2014 Bob Lounge/Side Swivel Chair by Pearson Lloyd for Coalesse / Walter Knoll
By Pearson Lloyd, Walter Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bob Guest Swivel Chair, Model 231, designed by Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd of Pearson Lloyd for Coalesse and Walter Knoll in 2014. The listed pri...
Aluminum
Rudolf B. Glatzel Vintage Walter Knoll Art Collection Leather & Stainless Chair
By Rudolf Bernd Glatzel, Walter Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original vintage 1970's Rudolf B. Glatzel armchair, produced by Walter Knoll in Germany (The company owned by Hans Knoll of Knoll International's family). This ...
Stainless Steel
4x Knoll Antimott Sessel Midcentury Armlehnstuhl easy chair Vintage
By Wilhelm Knoll, Knoll Antimott, Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten vier wunderschöne und professionell aufgearbeitete Midcentury Stühle von Knoll Antimott aus den 1950er/60er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Sessel wurden professionell aufgearb...
Fabric, Cherry
2000 Walter Knoll Art Collection Dining Arm Chair in Chromed Steel and Leather
By Walter Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are sophisticated modern ‘Art Collection’ armchairs, produced by Walter Knoll in Germany. These examples date to 2000. The listed price includes one chair, and we have 6 ch...
Steel
$4,000Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 31.13 in W 23 in D 22 in
Pair of Knoll International Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Leather Lounge Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair Of Knoll International Mies Van Der Rohe Brno leather lounge chairs from 1971 If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contac...
Leather
$4,882 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Restored Bauhaus Armchairs, by W. Gispen for Mücke-Melder, Czech, 1930s
By Willem H. Gispen, Mücke & Melder
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Chair model Fn24 This iconic pair of Bauhaus armchairs comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century. It was manufactured by Mücke-Melder and bears the catalog n...
Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Leatherette Rotatable Armchair, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Leatherette,Metal The Leatherette it is torn in places and worn out Buttons are missing Suitable for reupholstery Original condition.
Metal
Fk 86 Lounge Chair by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Dallas, TX
A swiveling FK 86 lounge chair designed by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm. Original ivory leather with leather wrapped arms.
Leather
$2,450
H 39.77 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Fabricius & Kastholm Swivel Chair in Dark Brown Leather and Steel
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Kill International
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Kill International, swivel chair model 'FK 6725', leather, metal, Germany, designed in 1966 Wonderful 'Bird Chair' by designer duo Fabriciu...
Metal
Walter Knoll Turtle Chair in STOCK
By PearsonLloyd, Walter Knoll
Located in New York, NY
On the outside, the bucket is a success with its clean sweeping vital lines; inside, a second, comfortably upholstered bucket is perfect for relaxing. Turtle is easy to swivel with a...
Fabric
$26,800Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 36 in W 27 in D 24.5 in
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm 'Bird' Chairs for Alfred Kill, 1960s, Signed
By Alfred Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A gorgeous set of six original classic low-back 'bucket' versions of the Model FK-6725 deep blue leather 'Bird' chairs, also commonly referred to as the 'Tulip' chair and originally ...
Aluminum
$5,340
H 25.6 in W 69.3 in D 29.14 in
Knoll- Antimot Walnut Three Seat U-Vorm Sofa by Walter Knoll, Germany
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Antwerp, BE
A unique set of three armchairs and a three-seater sofa in the original setting with a walnut U-Shape frame and the original upholstery in woven wool. A beautiful living room set de...
Wool, Walnut
De Sede Brown Leather Patchwork Seventies Lounge Chair
By De Sede
Located in Antwerp, BE
A comfortable soft leather lounge chair from the seventies that differs from the average De Sede chairs its own character created by the accent of the p...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Lounge Chair
By Coja Culemborg
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Coja lounge chair produced in the Netherlands. Stylish and comfortable 1960s brown leather lounge chair. Both the ch...
Leather, Wood
$11,500 / set
H 28 in W 30 in D 30.5 in
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Lounge Chairs, Leather, Steel, Denmark 1960s
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of steel and red leather lounge or slipper chairs designed by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm and produced by Bo-Ex, Denmark, 1960. 12” seat height
Steel
Early B35 Chair by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Uppsala, SE
Very early example from the 1930s of the classical B35 model designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet in the very last years of the 1920s. The leather has great patina and is definitely ...
Steel
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Armchairs
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm tulip armchairs in indian red leather Frame of brushed steel. Made by Walter Knoll. Price per chair
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
2x Knoll Antimott Sessel Midcentury Armlehnstuhl easy chair Vintage
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne und professionell aufgearbeitete Midcentury Stühle von Knoll Antimott aus den 1950er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Sessel verfügen über neue Sitzpolster und...
Fabric, Cherry
Low Lounge chairs petroleum mod. 854, Walter Knoll, Cassina
By Walter Knoll, Cassina
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Featuring a sleek, curvy silhouette, these armchairs offer a cozy and stylish seating experience. Made with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, Walter Knoll mo...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 41.34 in W 31.89 in D 35.44 in
2 Mid Century Armchairs Walter Knoll Arno Votteler Model 550 Vintage
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering two beautiful armchairs by Walter Knoll from the 1950s for sale. The design was created by Arno Votteler and is still in production today due to its great popularity....
Fabric
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, Armchair
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm tulip armchair in cognac leather Frame of brushed steel. Made by Walter Knoll.
Stainless Steel
Armchair mod. 368-10 by Arno Votteler for Walter Knoll, 1950s
By Arno Votteler, Walter Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
A quiet classic of mid-century modernism: the emphatically angular volume of the upholstery rests on a delicate tubular steel framework, with elegantly shaped armrests in solid wood....
Metal
Walter Knoll blue armchairs mod 854 Cassina
By Walter Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Featuring a sleek, curvy silhouette, these armchairs offer a cozy and stylish seating experience. Made with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, Walter Knoll mo...
Velvet, Harewood
Sold
H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Rudolf Bernd Glatzel Armchair in Steel and Leather for Walter Knoll 1970s
By Walter Knoll, Rudolf Bernd Glatzel
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rudolf Bernd Glatzel Armchair in Steel and Leather for Walter Knoll 1970s. Very heavy and high quality armchair by Rudolf Bernd Glatzel for Walter Knoll Art Collection...
Stainless Steel
Knoll Studio Line set of 2 leather armchairs by Jürgen Lange
By Jürgen Lange, Walter Knoll
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
These Studio Line lounge chairs by Jürgen Lange, designed for Walter Knoll in the 70s, are in excellent condition. The high-quality black leather shows almost no signs of wear and ha...
Leather
Walter Knoll model 396 beautiful red armchair 1980
By Walter Knoll
Located in Oirlo, LI
Beautiful and comfortable bucket seat - model 369 - designed for Walter Knoll in 1956. This elegant armchair is upholstered with a red furniture fabric. The armchair has chrome leg...
Chrome
Chunky Armchairs + Ottoman by Walter Knoll for Brayton International
By Brayton International, Walter Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Upholstered in original think brown suede. Reclines. Price is for the set. Contact us if you'd like to purchase a single item.
Suede
Sold
H 40.56 in W 26.78 in D 28.75 in
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm "Bird" Armchair Model-FK672 for Walter Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
Armchair designed by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll International manufacture in 1960s period Denmark. Model no: FK6725 as well as mostly called "Bird" or "Tulip" chairs because of their high arm...
Aluminum