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 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
H 24 in W 86 in D 33 in
Superb Mid Century Modern Pfister Cube sofa by Knoll in Parchment Leather
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Vintage all original Knoll cube 3 seat sofa. Simple cubist form with clean lines, set atop a seemingly floating base that are characteristic of Knoll's design aest...
Steel
H 26 in W 87 in D 33 in
1980s Minimalist Three-Seat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Round Top, TX
Charles Pfister designed his beautifully proportioned lounge collection in 1971. The timeless appeal and superb craftsmanship reflect his interest in "useful, sculptural, wonderfully...
Steel
H 26 in W 60.5 in D 33 in
1980s Charles Pfister for Knoll Grey Fabric Loveseat / Two Seat Sofa
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a two-seat sofa, originally designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. This particular example was produced in the United States during the 1980s. The design features cle...
Foam, Wood, Fabric
H 27 in W 32.5 in D 32.75 in
1970s Minimalist Charles Pfister for Knoll Chair & Ottoman Off White Upholstery
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
An original lounge / club chair with rarely seen ottoman, originally design in 1971 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Elegant lines, beautifully proportioned with a minimal footprint, a ...
Upholstery, Foam, Down
H 26 in W 60.5 in D 33 in
1999 Charles Pfister for Knoll Settee Loveseat from IBM Headquarters Model 1052C
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Tuxedo Love Seat Settee, Model 1052C, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. This example dates to 1999. The piece retains its original upholstery, which ...
Steel
H 26 in W 60.5 in D 33 in
1990s Charles Pfister for Knoll Sofa / Loveseat in Grey Fabric 2x Available
By Charles Pfister
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pfister Two-Seat Sofa, originally designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. These particular examples were produced in the United States during the 1990s. The design f...
Steel
H 26.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Knoll Charles Pfister Sofa Set in Grey Leather, USA, 1970s in Gray
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
A original three-seat leather sofa design in 1971 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Original grey color Knoll leather. Overall dimensions: 86” wide, 33” deep, 29” high, 16” seat, 24” arm...
Leather
H 26.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Knoll Charles Pfister Sofa Set in Grey Leather, USA, 1970s in Gray
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
A original three-seat leather sofa design in 1971 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Original grey color Knoll leather. Overall dimensions: 86” wide, 33” deep, 29” high, 16” seat, 24” arm...
Leather
H 26.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Knoll Charles Pfister Sofa Set in Grey Leather, USA, 1970s in Gray
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Berlin, DE
A original three-seat leather sofa design in 1971 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Original grey color Knoll leather. Overall dimensions: 86” wide, 33” deep, 29” high, 16” seat, 24” arm...
Leather
Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chair, 1980. Original black leather.
Leather
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa Black Leather, 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chicago, IL
Brazilian rosewood sofa black leather, 1960. Style of Percival Lafer. Completely restored and upholstered in black leather. This piece is compos...
Leather, Rosewood
Black Leather/Rosewood “920 Sofa”, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1960
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Leather/Rosewood “920 Sofa”, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1960
Leather, Wood
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Leather Sofa
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
Leather sofa designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1980. All original and in great vintage condition. Arms are removable.
Leather
White Leather Barocco Sofa Model 1320 by Zanotta, Italy 1980
By Zanotta, Emaf Progetti
Located in Chicago, IL
White Leather Barocco Sofa Model 1320 by Zanotta, Italy 1980’s. Designed by Emaf Progetti. Original beautiful condition. Measures 26.5” tall 78” long 39” deep, seat height 16” seat...
Chrome
Black Leather Desk Chair by Richard Sapper for Knoll Inc/Knoll Intl, France 1992
By Richard Sapper, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Leather Office chair for Knoll Inc/Knoll International, France 1992. Original leather in excellent condition.
Leather
