Warren Platner for Knoll Arm Chairs/ Pair
About the Item
- Creator:Warren Platner (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Design:Platner ArmchairPlatner Series
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2021
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Like new condition.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU843037689622
Platner Armchair
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.
Warren Platner
Though his vintage furniture and interiors are icons of mid-century modernism, architect and furniture designer Warren Platner took his stylistic inspiration from as far back as 18th-century France, once saying about his seminal collection for Knoll that his design intent was to evoke “the kind of decorative, gentle, graceful kind of design that appeared in period style like Louis XV.”
Indeed, the marriage of modern sensibility and classical grace is a marker of Platner’s style across furnishings and interiors — both genres in which he left an enduring legacy.
Born in 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, Platner studied architecture at Cornell before cutting his teeth working for design icons like Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche, eventually serving as head of interior design in the latter’s office. In 1965, Platner opened his own office, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he continued to hone his particular brand of graceful modernism.
Knoll released the Platner Collection of seating and tables in 1966. (Originally designed in 1962, the suite took nearly four years of development to bring to life.) The decorative bent-metal-and-glass pieces — an armchair, a dining table and more — make certain nods to the trademarks of his former employers, but also to the shapes of historic European furniture. The sculptural elegance of his line recalls Saarinen’s iconic Tulip collection, which includes armchairs and dining tables, while his materiality aligns with Roche’s cutting-edge use of glass and metal for the headquarters of the Ford Foundation in New York.
Many of Platner’s Knoll pieces would go on to find homes in a certain fabled locale: the Windows on the World restaurant at the original World Trade Center, whose interiors Platner was tapped to outfit in the mid-1970s. Upon the opening of the restaurant in 1976, New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger dubbed its style “sensuous modernism” — an apt tagline for Platner’s oeuvre as a whole.
Platner died in 2006 at the age of 86. His furniture is still produced by Knoll, and original examples — along with idiosyncratic custom works he created for interior design clients — are coveted by collectors today.
Find vintage Warren Platner furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Original Cado Red Fabric/ 1970By Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAWarren Platner Lounge chair and ottoman in it's Original Cado Red Fabric! Upholstery was removed from frame and all new foam was installed, Fabric is in great shape, with slight wear...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel
- Mies van der Rohe Brno Tubular Armchair by KnollBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAMies 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...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Harry Bertoia for Knoll ”BIRD” ChairBy Harry Bertoia, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAHarry Bertoia Bird Frame or High Back Diamond. Black metal frame with 4 rubber bushings that let that chair rock slightly. Newer Knoll cover in the last 10-15 years. Cover is very...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Saarinen for Knoll Executive Side/ Dining ChairsBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Philadelphia, PASet of 8 Eero Saarinen Side Dining Chairs for Knoll. This set dates to 2009. Red velvet material in very nice condition! Chrome is clean as well! Chair ready to go! One of the most comfortable chairs out there! I use these around my dining table!Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Harry Bertoia for Knoll Large Diamond ChairBy Harry Bertoia, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAHarry Bertoia for Knoll large diamond chair with a green cover. Base is original white. Bushings are in good shape, and overall the cover is pretty clean! ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Florence Knoll for Knoll CabinetBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAFlorence Knoll for Knoll Hanging or standing Cabinet. Always meant to hang from the wall, last used as a bar. Added feet for ease of placement. Walnut outer cabinet, and cream col...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Warren Platner Arm Chairs, Set of Six for KnollBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Lambertville, NJA stunning example of the 1966 Warren Platner arm chair for Knoll, these chairs are timeless and integrate beautifully with many style tables. They f...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for KnollBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Paris, FRPair of Warren Platner lounge chairs for Knoll.Category
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- 1960s Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Arm Chairs with Bronze FramesBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a pair of Platner Armchairs, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. These are early examples, dating to the late 1960s. The frames of these chairs are composed of pati...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage Modern Pair of Knoll Warren Platner ChairsBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYA set of beautiful mid-century modern wired steel chairs. The frame features wire rods that are perfectly bent to create the structure of a beautifully sculpted chair. A seat cushion...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Original Vintage Chrome Warren Platner for KNOLL Armchairs, PairBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in East Hampton, NYThese exceptional vintage chrome Warren Platner for Knoll armchairs have been expertly reupholstered in a creamy Pierre Frey Paris Bo...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chair in Knoll Velvet with Bronze FinishBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAA beautiful Warren Platner for Knoll lounge chair (Model 1715L), upholstered in a gorgeous burgundy (wine) color velvet fabric over a bronze finish frame. The deep burgundy velvet is a luxurious upgrade over the standard knit fabric that is more commonly seen, the fabric is called "Knoll Velvet...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Iconic Furniture Gives These 1stDibs 50 Rooms Timeless Appeal
A well-made armchair, table or pendant lamp can afford both comfort and convenience. An exceptional one can transform a space. See how the honorees on this year’s 1stDibs 50 list of top interior designers used standout pieces to create the kind of rooms you never want to leave.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.