Pair Warren Platner Lounge Chairs, Classic Modernist, Manufactured by Knoll
About the Item
- Creator:Warren Platner (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Design:Platner Lounge ChairPlatner Series
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)Seat Height: 18.75 in (47.63 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1974
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062433645862
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.
Knoll
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Buffalo, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Early Warren Platner Large Wire Lounge Chair for Knoll , C.1970 Cado Wool WovenBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYWarren Platner model 1705 easy wire lounge chair for Knoll Designer: Warren Platner Knoll International USA - Circa 1970s Condition: Very...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel
- Classic Pair of Art Deco Machine Age Aluminium Lounge Chairs by Warren McArthurBy Warren McArthurLocated in Buffalo, NYMatched pair of Art Deco. Machine Age aluminium lounge chairs by Warren McArthur, original unmolested condition, retains original cut mohair fabric upholstery as well as McArthur lab...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Custom Modernist KNOLL Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero SaarinenBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYEero Saarinen for Knoll Womb chair and ottoman. Custom Ordered “Puff” Mocha color upholstery "Nick Cave" and Manufactured by Knoll Textiles. Literally Brand new!! Woman ordered new f...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Classic Pair Modernist Lounge Chairs attributed to Paul McCobb / DirectionalBy Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Pair Modernist Lounge Chairs attributed to Paul McCobb / Directional.. I believe these were re-upholstered 30-40 years ago, Professional job,,very well done in a period mid c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Early Charles Pollock 657 Leather Sling Lounge Chair by KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Buffalo, NYA nice early example the Rare model 657 leather sling lounge chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, circa 1960. The leather has wonderful rick dark brown patina and is in good Vintage ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Pair of Modernist Lounge ChairsBy Florence KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYMatched pair of modernist lounge chairs,,Classic design,,chromed steel "T" base.Manner of Florence Knoll,,Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll InternationalBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis pair of Platner chairs are in great condition, the chrome rods are not at all rusty or bent and the upholstery has just been done in a Salm...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chairs – PairBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Countryside, ILWarren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chairs – Pair Each chair measures: 36 wide x 27 deep x 30.5 high, with a seat height of 20 ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Platner Lounge Chair, designed 1966 by Warren Platner for Knoll InternationalBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireOriginal 1960s Platner Lounge Chair, designed 1966 by Warren Platner and manufactured by Knoll International. This iconic chair is made of moulded fibreglass covered in the original...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Gray Velvet Lounge Chair by Warren Platner for Knoll InternationalBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Renens, CHOriginally designed by Warren Platner in 1966 for Knoll International, this design icon consists of steel rods curved and welded to a circular frame. The lounge chair is relativel...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Lounge Chairs Designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll InternationalBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Dallas, TXEarly production lounge chairs model 1715L designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll. Both chairs are in very good original condition with bronze wire construction. The Platner Colle...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBronze