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 37.5 in W 25.25 in D 24.25 in
Robert Venturi "Chippendale" Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in New York, NY
Black laminate plywood, black leather seat. Six available.
Leather
H 37.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
Robert Venturi Post-Modern 'Chippendale' Chairs for Knoll International, c. 1985
By Robert Venturi, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 featuring a black c...
Leather, Laminate, Plywood
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Mawu Chair in Printed by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Made in France with hand-turned, flared oak legs in golden satin finish. Upholstered backrest and seat in textured jacquard velvet fabric (LG.FB-31).
Fabric, Oak, Cotton, Linen
H 33 in W 23.5 in D 23 in
Pair Sheraton Chairs by Robert Venturi for Knoll. 1986, Signed
By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two Robert Ventura and Denise Scott Brown Sheraton Chairs for Knoll. Produced in 1986. Both examples are signed with the original Knoll labels.
Wood, Leather
H 37.8 in W 30.71 in D 24.41 in
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Pagnotta" Dining Chair with armrests - Printed
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the La Pagnotta chair with arms is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and innovative structural design...
Cotton, Carbon Fiber
H 33 in W 23 in D 22 in
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair in Fabric from IBM
By Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a bentwood dining chair, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This particular example was produced in 1984. The design features a sculptural solid bent...
Foam, Wood, Fabric
H 32.5 in W 15.75 in D 17 in
1950s Gio Ponti Super Leggera Chairs New Josef Frank Hawaii Fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A vintage pair of 1950s Gio Ponti Superleggara Chairs. Superleggara is Italian for “super light” and these chairs are every bit of that. Weighing in at less than 4 lbs, they are physically light and with the tapered angled pieces of wood they are visually light as well. Newly upholstered in Josef Frank Hawaii...
Walnut
H 41.25 in W 21.25 in D 22.5 in
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern High Back Dining Chair, Circa 1970s
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern high back side chair or dining chair By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1970s Walnut frame, with cane back and upholstered seat. Measures: 21.25"W x 22.5...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
H 32.29 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Heart Chair in Hsh Home Sweet Home Jacquard by Dedar, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chair type A5828. Colloquially called "heart" in amazing Macro tweed with knitted effect Hsh Home Sweet Home jacquard fabric by Dedar. The furniture was designed by Helena and Jerzy ...
Velvet, Beech
H 34 in W 19.5 in D 22 in
Dunbar 'Scoop' Seat Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sinuous upholstered dining chair on tapered legs.
Upholstery, Walnut
Antonio Citterio " Klismos " lounge leather chair . Compagnia delle Filippine
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing design by the well known Italian Artis/designer Antonio Citterio . This is part of the Series Compagnia Delle Filippine . This chair is out of production , and it ...
Leather
Alessandro Mendini Mimi Plastic Table Lamp Signed
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cute and small table lamp designed by Alessandro Mendini.
Plastic
Piero Fornasetti Coffee/ Cocktail, Table, "Cocktail Recipes, Removable Top
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a late coffee table and the series has been licensed by Barnaba Fornasetti and consist of plastic top and coated metal wire legs. This is a design for the Piero Fornasetti in...
Plastic
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz and Hansen teak and chrome table
By Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and clean dining table designed by Arne Jacobsen made by Fritz and Hansen shows ink stamp lable and Danish control lable.
Wood
Guy Dill Wood Sculpture with Marble Base Signed and Dated
By Guy Dill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very well known Abstract artist Guy Dill. He works in monumental bronze and marble abstractions.
Wood
Ramses Wissa Wassef wall/ table wool tapestry , signed and label .
By Ramses Wissa Wassef Workshop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is great sample of the Ramses Wissa Wassef workshop . This tapestry is shows the weaver Lotfora Mohamed , under the direction of Sophie Habib Gorgi , according Label .
Wool
