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.
Classic George Smith Tiplady Knole Style Sofa
By George Smith
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic knole style sofa by the luxury furniture maker George Smith having wooden finials, down seat cushions, matching bolster pillows and nailhead detailing. Height without finial...
Upholstery
English George Smith Kilim Sofa
By George Smith
Located in Hudson, NY
A hand made English sofa from master furniture maker George Smith. Super comfortable and upholstered throughout colorful kilim flat weave carpet and down feather cushions. The sofa r...
Brass
$17,383
H 49.41 in W 77.76 in D 33.08 in
Fully Restored Antique Victorian Oxblood Knole Sofa Feather Filled Cushions
By Knoll
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original Victorian circa 1860-1880 fully restored oxblood leather Knole sofa with overstuff feather filled cushions. This sofa was fully rest...
Leather
George Smith Mohair Velvet Ottoman Sofa Banquette
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke mohair velvet tufted sectional banquette sofa custom designed by George Smith, London UK. The grand "ottoman sofa" was commi...
Hardwood, Mohair
George Smith Upholstered Sofa From Signature Collection
By George Smith
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic bench made George Smith Sofa with rolled English arms, turned wood legs with brass casters. Raised on five legs, all with brass toe caps and casters. The three legs at the f...
Brass
Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled dark espresso leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Exc...
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Knole Leather Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern Knole Leather Sofa is inspired by the design that has its roots in the 1600s in a grand country house of England and has been the design to model most every sofa s...
Brass
George Smith English Howard & Sons Signature Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic English Howard & Sons signature sofa hand-crafted by George Smith artisans. The classic signature sofa features a hardwood frame covered with bea...
Brass
Custom George Smith 2000s Black Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled black leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Excellent co...
Leather, Hardwood
$16,633
H 34.65 in W 73.63 in D 38 in
OWNED BY MADONNA LUXURY GEORGE SMiTH BOLSTER MOHAIR VELVET CHESTERFIELD SOFA
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, Mohair Velvet George Smith Chelsea Bolster sofa whic...
Velvet
Midcentury Sofa Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - New upholstery - Measures: Adjustable depth 87 cm - Good condition.
Fabric, Wood
Josef Hoffmann "Cabinet" Sofa by Wittmann, Austria
By Wittmann, Julius Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in the late 1980s by Wittmann Mobelwerkstattten Austria - Labeled by manufacturer - suitable for new upholstery - Wooden parts in good/very good condition with minor signs o...
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Sofa Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - New upholstery - Measures: Adjustable depth 87 cm - Good condition.
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Sofa Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - Upholstery is in very good, original condition - Adjustable - Very good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
1970s Modular Three Seater Sofa by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly reupholstered - The beech wooden frames has been refurbished - Hight of seat 36cm.
Fabric, Beech
1970s Two-Seater Rattan Sofa by Uluv, Czechoslovakia
By Úľuv
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Made of wood and rattan - Made by ULUV.
Rattan, Wood
