As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
H 31.5 in W 29 in D 33 in
Jens Risom for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 29 wide x 33 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 23.25 inches ...
Upholstery
H 30.5 in W 23 in D 30.5 in
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Jens Risom
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
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Jens Risom Model 652-W lounge chair for KnollStudio, originally designed in 1941 and still celebrated as one of the icons of mid-century modern design. This timeless piece fe...
Cotton, Wood
H 30 in W 20 in D 30 in
1940s Jens Risom Knoll Pair Upholstered Slipper Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Squirm
By Jens Risom
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A matching pair of Jens Risom's Vostra Lounge Chairs for Knoll, Germany. Feet in beechwood, from 1949. Appear to have been reupholstered fairly recently by the previous owner. Wood ...
Beech
H 29.5 in W 20 in D 17 in
Pair of Early Woven Leather Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
RARE PAIR of Early woven leather lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll. Made in USA, circa 1950's. Stamped. See images. East Coast Delivery for a fee. Please message for pricing.
Leather, Birch
H 30 in W 24 in D 30 in
Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll. Expertly Restored in Off White Boucle
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Kansas City, MO
Classic and rare lounge chair designed by Jens Risom when he was design director for Knoll in the early 1950s. This example has been expertly refinished and reupholstered in an off ...
Upholstery, Walnut
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 25.2 in
Jens Risom Knoll Studio - Risom Maple Lounge Chair With Flax Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Jens Risom Knoll Risom Lounge Chair WIth Flax Webbing and Clear Maple Finished The Risom Lounge Chair by Knoll was designed by Jens Risom in 1941. This classic design remains a str...
Maple
H 30 in W 24 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Scoop Leather Lounge Chair By Jens Risom For Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, scoop, lounge chair by Jens Risom for Knoll features a minimal, black lacquered maple frame with a floating scoop seat newly upholstered in mustard yellow, textur...
Leather, Maple
H 30.5 in W 20.25 in D 27.25 in
2000s Jens Risom For Knoll Armless Lounge Chair in Maple with Purple Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Armless Lounge Chair, originally designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943. This particular example was produced in the United States in the 2000s. The chair is comprised o...
Maple, Fabric
H 30 in W 20 in D 20 in
Pair of Jens Risom Scoop Chairs for Hans Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Jens Risom scoop chairs for Hans Knoll A pair of very early Knoll post war design scoop chairs by Jens Risom. Each has been completely restored in a luxurious Sandra Jordan ...
Alpaca
A beautiful vintage Danish Norwegian Ekornes “Uno” lounge chair with stool
By Ekornes
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful vintage Danish Norwegian Ekornes “Uno” lounge chair with stool in a brown leather, circa 1970s. One stool is slightly different as seen in phot...
Leather
A striking pair of Henredon slipper chairs, recently reupholstered. Circa 1980s
By Henredon
Located in Houston, TX
A striking pair of Henredon slipper chairs, recently reupholstered in a high quality Kravet cotton-linen blend (60/40) in a warm oatmeal tone. ...
Brass
An original BoConcept Imola chair by Henrik Pedersen, circa 1990s
By BoConcept
Located in Houston, TX
An original BoConcept Imola chair by Henrik Pedersen, circa 1990s. An iconic sculptural lounge chair that embodies modern Danish design. This pie...
Velvet
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 81
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Houston, TX
Set of four iconic cane bentwood chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 811, and produced by FMG, circa 1960s. These chairs are original and labeled, as shown in the photos. Cr...
Bentwood
Beautiful mid century modern green velvet striped lounge chair circa 1960s
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful mid century modern lounge chair featuring a chrome frame and newly reupholstered in a striped green velvet. Originally made circa 1950s -1960s and designed by Bernhardt fur...
Chrome
A mid century modern side chair by Drexel with a bamboo design, circa 1970s
By Drexel
Located in Houston, TX
A mid century modern side chair by Drexel with a bamboo design, circa 1970s. This chair features solid wood construction with faux bamboo details. Upholstery is original and the chai...
Wood
