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.
$7,619
H 31.5 in W 88.59 in D 30.32 in
Original Florence Knoll Sofa Modell 65a Couch Knoll Intenational
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Sofa von Knoll International zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Florence Knoll Bassett und ist bekannt unter der Modellbezeichnung 65a. In un...
Steel
Post Modern Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll 1980's
By Robert and Trix Haussmann, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern sofa designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll as part of The Lounge Seating series, circa 1980's. The upholstered box form sofa rests on an aluminum ...
Aluminum
Vintage Paul McCobb Sofa for Directional / Milo Baughman
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paul McCobb sofa for Directional reupholstered at one point. In pretty nice condition with fabric being usable as-is. minor wear. finish to wood and legs shows...
Upholstery
Vintage Charles Pfister for Knoll Lounge Sofa, C. 1970s
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
A three-seat modular sofa with clean, boxy lines and a tailored, tight profile — a hallmark of Pfister’s minimalist, architecturally-driven approach to lounge seating. Designed by C...
Upholstery
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
$8,500
H 29 in W 91 in D 32 in
Fabulous Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Sofa , Mid-Century
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pemberton, NJ
This vintage Florenc Knoll 3 seater chrome sofa is really an amazing piece of furniture that has it all. These sofas are extremely well made and incredibly comfortable. Florence Kn...
Chrome
$9,120
H 29.14 in W 96.07 in D 30.71 in
Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Knoll International Model 26
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Authentic mid-century collectible with documented provenance: This spacious Florence Knoll Model 26-3KC sofa was produced in the 1960s and upholstered in an exceptionally high-qualit...
Steel, Chrome
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
$2,532
H 27.56 in W 54.73 in D 32.29 in
Lounge Seating Two-seater Sofa by Robert Haussmann for Knoll International
By Trix and Robert Haussmann, Knoll
Located in VENLO, NL
This rare two-seater sofa from ‘The Lounge Seating’ series, was designed by Trix & Robert Haussmann in 1988 and manufactured by Knoll International. It has its original light red...
Fabric
$10,589
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
Harvey Probber Impressive 16 Foot Angle Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
This sofa has a wow factor. The upholstery is actually good and we think the seat cushion could be flipped to show the unfaded section. It can also be reupholstered to update. This s...
Upholstery, Wood
Danish Modern Illum Wikkelso Style Sofa in New Upholstery
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and very comfortable well-made sofa in the Danish Modern Style. This has been reupholstered at some point in this tasteful bright greenish yellow fabric.
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Attributed Sofa and Swivel Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a unique design attributed Vladmir Kagan that we believe he did for boutique hotels. The swivel chair butts up to the sofa and can fit two people. The swivel turns 360 degree...
Upholstery
Milo Baughman "Sit Tight" Serpentine Sectional Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
A gorgeous serpentine sectional sofa by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Chrome base and brocade upholstery in lavender, gold and off-white. Upholstery in great shape but we can also...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506. We recommend new upholstery on this beautiful and comfortable sofa. The last photo shows one we reupholstered that was sent to Swit...
Upholstery, Wood
Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist "Paradise" Sofa
By Kerstin Horlin Holmquist
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience timeless elegance with the Kerstin Horlin-Holmquist "Paradise" Sofa, an iconic piece designed in 1958 and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet. This beautifully crafted sofa has...
Upholstery, Birch
