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 29 in W 33.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Leather 'Speed' Lounge Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of leather (speed) lounge chairs. The leather is blue. Style of Paul Frankl speed chair.
Leather
H 23.75 in W 34 in D 33 in
1970s Pair of Charles Pfister for Knoll Lounge Chairs in Brown Leather
By Charles Pfister
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Club Lounge Chairs, originally designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. These examples were produced in the United States and date back the 1970s. The design ...
Steel
H 33 in W 38 in D 34 in
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Leather Lounge Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern leather lounge chairs. Fully restored and reupholstered in designer Italian butter soft hand distressed Fabiano leather. Price includes complime...
Leather, Wood
H 31.25 in W 32.25 in D 32.25 in
1990's Florence Knoll Leather Lounge Club Chairs Pair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Stafford, TX
These Knoll club chairs from the 1990s feature the brand's signature minimalist, modern design. Upholstered in beige leather, they have a luxurious feel with tufted backs and seats, ...
Leather
H 30 in W 31 in D 28 in
Pair Vintage Leather Lounge Chairs by Thonet
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of chrome base leather lounge chairs by Thonet offer exquisite Mid-Century style suitable for almost any seating situation. Sturdy stretchers and vintage leather ...
Chrome
H 28 in W 31 in D 29 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Leather Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic Mid-Century styling leather armchairs with wide arms, tufted backs and simple square-tube metal legs. Danish influences. Comfortable with normal-use wear to leather on arms a...
Metal
H 24 in W 32.5 in D 33 in
Pair of Charles Pfister Cube Lounge Chairs for Knoll
By Charles Pfister
Located in Wilton, CT
Classic iconic modern design typifies Charles Pfister's Lounge Collection, designed in 1971 for Knoll. The timeless appeal and superb craftsmanship reflect his interest in "useful, s...
Velvet
H 33 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Geiger for Herman Miller Leather Cube Chairs
By Geiger International, Herman Miller
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sleek pair of leather cube chairs by Geiger International for Herman Miller. Iconic cube chair design made famous by Harvey Probber with a modern seam around the sides and back fitte...
Leather, Hardwood
H 26 in W 34.5 in D 32 in
Pair of Stow Davis Cube Chairs
By Stow Davis
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic Stow Davis cube armchairs. Very comfortable and stylish, original upholstery, on plinth bases.
Upholstery
H 23.5 in W 33 in D 33 in
Midcentury Modern Caramel Club Chairs by Charles Pfister for Knoll - A Pair
Located in New York, NY
A classic designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll and made in the 1970s, these cube club chairs have their original rich caramel-brown leather and removable cushions. Smooth lines and ...
Metal
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
Pair of Italian Modernist Sculptural Lounge Chairs by Pizzetti
By Pizzetti Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage lounge chairs by Pizzetti of Roma (ca. 1960s, Italy). Composed of low, wide frames supported by deeply sculpted ebonized wooden bases. The generous seat and arm proportions c...
Metal
Pair of Model R-83 Armchairs by Ladislav Rado for Knoll & Drake
By Ladislav Rado, Knoll & Drake
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of model R-83 lounge / armchairs designed by Czechoslovakian Architect, Ladislav Rado, and produced for only one year in 1955 by Knoll and Drake (...
Steel
Pair of Isa Bergamo Sculptural Petite Club Chairs Attributed to Gio Ponti
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low and petite Isa Bergamo arm/club chairs attributed to Gio Ponti characterized by pronounced/exaggeratedly sculpted arms in chocolate vinyl with button tufted details (ca. 1950s, I...
Metal
Pair of French Art Deco Leather Angled Back Club Chairs with Nailhead Decoration
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome pair of late 1930s/early 1940s French club chairs sourced in the south of France in supple sheep hide leather with squared-back forms and nailhead decoration to the back bor...
Metal
Pair of Paul Mccobb Stained Maple Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coveted pair of Paul Mccobb Planner Group armchairs made between 1955 and 1956 (Winchendon, MA, USA). Sculptural seat/back frame contoured to accentuate the slim, carved armrests. Sh...
Naugahyde, Maple
