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Platner Armchair
Iconic Designs

Platner ArmchairBy Warren Platner

About the Design

Despite being made of sturdy nickel-plated steel wire rods, the Platner armchair — designed by Warren Platner (1919–2006) — takes on a delicate, organic quality. 

The interior designer and furniture maker studied architecture at Cornell University before working in the offices of Raymond Loewy, I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinen. Architecture became Platner’s primary field — the Baltimore native was the 1955 winner of the Rome Prize in Architecture, and he is best known for his glamorous design of the Windows on the World restaurant at the original World Trade Center. Over time, Platner also developed a special interest in furniture and took on interior projects under award-winning Irish-American architect Kevin Roche. As head of interior design for Roche's firm in the mid-1960s, Platner created the now-revered office spaces at the Ford Foundation’s headquarters in New York City. While finishing that project, he went on to open his own practice in Connecticut.

Platner’s armchair was part of the decorative Platner Collection, his seminal work in furniture design. In addition to the armchair, the series — created in 1962 — originally included a dining table, side tables and more. The designer had already built a relationship with Knoll over the years, and the company introduced Platner's chair in 1966. Platner found inspiration for this piece in the now-celebrated designs that came before it, such as Saarinen’s Tulip chair and tables. But rather than firmly plant his work within the futuristic realm of mid-century modernism, Platner incorporated a graceful aesthetic reminiscent of the Louis XV era in his lightweight chair. The Platner armchair is still produced by Knoll today.

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Side Chair by Warren Platner for Knoll International
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side chair designed by Warren Platner in 1966 for Knoll International, USA. Sculptural structure made of steel wire rods with velvet fabric upholstery. Labelled with manufacturer log...
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Steel

Set of Wire Dining Table and Four Chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, US - 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful early set of dining table with smoked glass top and six matching dining chairs with yellow fabric. Designed by Warren Platner in the early 1960s and manufactured by Knoll I...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Wire

Warren Planter for Knoll Wire Chairs (single)
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single Warren Platner Arm chair made by Knoll. Distinctive wire design with pedestal motif and rounded back. Comfort and design from the mid-century! Please specify how many of 3 you...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Wire

1970s Vintage Warren Platner Occasional Chair Knoll Beige Knobby Wool
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The perfect glamorous vanity chair. Very sculptural wire armchair designed by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll in the 1970s. Dingy original wool blend woven KNOLL knobby biege ...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Black Frame Dining Chairs in Kelly Wearstler Upholstery
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
We have newly upholstered these stunning and rare black dining chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll in a Kelly Wearstler upholstery. Fabric is black, off-white and tan.
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...

Materials

Metal

Set of 7 Bronze Chairs designed by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
This fabulous set of 7 bronze Warren Platner Chairs are ready for your reinvention! Designed for Knoll in 1966, these chair frames are rare and difficult to find with a good metal c...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bronze, Steel

4 Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Chairs in Bronze Armchairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 4 sculptural armchairs by Warren Platner for Knoll. These are in the classic bronze finish. The upholstery is vintage and was probably redone in the 80s-90s. All retain the ...
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Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Bronzed Steel Dining Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Bronze Dining Chair This chair measures: 27.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height/chair clearance of 24...
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Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Gold Plated Armchair with Andes Black Leather
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning Warren Platner for Knoll armchair in 18k Gold Plated steel and Andes black leather. We were fortunate to find this chair. It was used as a floor sample for a Retailer who ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Armchairs

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Gold Plate, Steel

Vintage Pair of Warren Platner Chairs in Bronzed Steel for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in North Miami, FL
An outstanding PAIR of sculptural armchairs by Warren Platner for Knoll. These are in the classic bronze finish. The upholstery has been redone in a blue mohair. Retain the original...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Chair, Circa 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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...
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Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Usa modern Black fabric metal Cockcit chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
Usa modern Black fabric and metal Cockcit chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s Pair of iconic and vintage cockcit chairs with round base. The structure is made up of curved nickel-plated metal rods welded to rounded frames and the base. The backrest, armrests and seat follow the shapes of the structure and are padded and covered in black fabric. The rounded seat cushion...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

6x Warren Platner Arm Chairs – Knoll International – Nickel-Plated – Hallingdal
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
For sale is a set of 6 original armchairs by renowned designer Warren Platner, produced by Knoll International – an iconic design statement from the mid-20th century. Details: • Man...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Nickel

American modern metal and red fabric chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern metal and red fabric chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s Cockpit chairs with a round base. The structure follows curved and rounded lines and makes up the backr...
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Vintage 1970s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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