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.
$5,000 / item
H 28 in W 79 in D 29 in
1999 Gary Lee Knoll Studio Three-Seat Sofa, Tan Geometric Fabric (2x)
By Gary Lee
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a S53L Three-Seat Sofa, initially designed by Gary Lee for Knoll in 1998. The piece was part of his first collection with Knoll, the Lee Lounge Seating Collection. The listed...
Steel, Aluminum
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 91 in D 32 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa c 1950/60's
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mid Century classic sofa, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International ( Knoll Park Ave ). This iconic sofa displays all the sophistication, quality and beauty expec...
Chrome
$15,000
H 27.5 in W 90 in D 31 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International 3-Seated Beige Upholstered Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American three-seated sofa upholstered in a beige weave with low back, and 3 removable seat cushions, standing on a metal frame with 6 legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INT...
Chrome
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern 'Bastiano' sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll. This vintage three-seater sofa features a sturdy oak frame and upholstered in a beautiful turquoise fabric, Italy, 1960s...
Fabric, Oak
$8,967
H 32.29 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Stainless Steel
Orsay Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. White powdercoated frame with woven white/ blue fabric.
Fabric
Robert Venturi "Grandma" Sofa for Knoll, 1980s
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in Coronado, CA
Robert Venturi "Grandma" sofa designed for Knoll in the 1980s. This wonderful example has been fully restored, reupholstered in a luxurious pumpkin orange mohair with two heavy duty ...
Mohair
$3,300
H 29.93 in W 88.59 in D 27.56 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
Steel
Tan Leather Sofa by Richard Schultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Toledo, OH
This 1970 sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll features a leather cushioned front and back, and was created with modular sections that hang from a ste...
Steel
Vintage Maple Frame Knoll Sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll
By Knoll, Lewis Butler for Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage maple frame Knoll sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll. An arm-less sofa with walnut back legs, cotton web seats and back support. A great example of classic Knoll style and substa...
Teak
77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee
By Gary Lee
Located in Pasadena, TX
By Cumberland Furniture 77" Pax Bench by Gary L. Lee The Pax minimalist bench features two stainless steel angles at each end that are mitered into ...
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Black Leather Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A midcentury Knoll classic designed by Florence Knoll. This three person sofa features tufted black leather upholstery with chrome plated steel legs. Measures: 90". Recently restored.
Chrome
90in Vintage Mid-Century Knoll Three-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Iconic Florence Knoll three-seat sofa in original berry fabric. Chrome legs. Chrome has been restored. Measures: 90 in.
Chrome
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Compact Sofa
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
The Eames sofa compact works where bulkier sofas don’t. The clean profile and crisp, light scale evolved from a built-in sofa that Charles and Ray Eames designed for the living room ...
Other
Douglas Levine For Bright Furniture Sofa
By Bright Furniture, Douglas Levine
Located in Pasadena, TX
A high back Bernie sofa designed by Douglas Levine and made by Bright Furniture which is known for its eco-friendly production. Upholstered in a camel ...
Fabric, Walnut
