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.
1960's Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Style Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern couch for sale. It has been professionally reupholstered in new tweed and foam, and is in restored condition. It has a beautiful frame with incredibl...
Metal
Mid-Century Sofa by Arthur Elrod
By Arthur Elrod
Located in Pasadena, CA
Elegant and glamorous sofa designed by Arthur Elrod for the Cody House in Palm Springs, circa 1960s. Re-imagined in a chic metallic gray linen. A pair o...
Fabric
Midcentury Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Sofa for Knoll, 1940s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
1940s Jens Risom Model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll in charcoal grey upholstery atop tapered stained birch legs, a class Midcentury Modern design. The high back features a row of butto...
Upholstery, Birch
Stylish Scandinavian Modern Sofa in the Style of Kaj Gottlob
By Kaj Gottlob
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seat sofa in the style of Kaj Gottlob, Denmark. A Sleek design with winged arm rests and three overstuffed removable cushions. This comfortable mid-century modern green sofa ma...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Frame Sofa
By Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long sofa with simple Mid-Century Modern Knoll inspired design. Three seats on chrome frame. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Chrome
Italian Mid-Century Sectional
Located in Red Lion, PA
Vintage original Italian mid-century sofa/sectional. Made up of two pieces that fit together at an angle creating a curve shape, sitting on tapered wood legs. The sofa is certainly a...
Fabric, Wood
$14,076Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 96 in D 37 in
Custom Warren Sofa by Foley & Cox, Hand-Crafted, Wool Fabric, USA
Located in New York, NY
New to the foley&cox HOME custom collection is the Warren sofa, shown here. Featuring clean lines and low profile, the contemporary sofa is made with solid wood frame, feather w...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$10,487
H 29.53 in W 90.56 in D 32.29 in
Florence Knoll - Vintage Sofa Knoll International, Mid-Century Modern 1954
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Vintage sofa by Florence Knoll, designed in 1954 for Knoll International – a true icon of modernist furniture and architectural elegance. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, ...
Steel, Chrome
Stylish Harvey Probber style Sofa Mid-century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish Harvey Probber style mid-century modern sofa. Handsome dark walnut base with slightly flared boxy arms and straight back-very mid-century. The fabric is an interesting pais...
Upholstery, Walnut
Ed Wormley for Dunbar Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Southampton, NJ
Sofa designed by Ed Wormley for Dunbar model 4906 reupholstered in Maharam Kvadrat grey wool textured hopsack. Backrests are down & seat is high quality foam with hand tied frame spr...
Wool, Wood
Restored George Nelson Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Sofa designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly upholstered in a ticking striped fabric with chrome legs. Measures: 81". Arm height 21"
Fabric
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
Harvey Probber Bronze Base Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern sofa designed by Harvey Probber. Mint green upholstery with a button tufted back and two detached seat cushions on a bronze anodized base. Size: 7.5ft.
Metal
6.5FT Stow Davis Sofa
By Stow Davis
Located in Pasadena, TX
Classic lines with a trim in rich walnut with ivory upholstery. Measure: 6.5FT.
Walnut
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
Hans Wegner Danish Armless Sofa
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern Danish sofa designed by Hans Wegner. A streamlined form without arms and tubular chrome legs. Upholstered in it's original lilac fabric.
Chrome
