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 28 in W 30.5 in D 80.5 in
Sling Sofa by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Designed by Hannah and Morrison for Knoll. Original upholstery with white powdercoated frame.
Upholstery
H 26.75 in W 80 in D 27 in
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll Sling Settee Sofa Design, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic Knoll sling bench designed by Hannah Morrison, black coated aluminum frame with grey wool upholstery. Some small marks on the frame but in otherwis...
Aluminum, Steel
H 25.5 in W 81.13 in D 19.5 in
Sling Sofa in Steel and Bouclé by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage three-seat armless sofa in charcoal bouclé with an off-white powder-coated steel frame designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll (1971, New York, NY USA). The de...
Steel
H 28 in W 73 in D 30 in
Mid Century Modern 2 Seat sofa table Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern 2 Seat armchair sofa with middle white laminate table by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll. Made in American circa 1960s....
Aluminum, Steel
H 28 in W 29 in D 29 in
Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison Sling / aluminum armchair for Knoll 1970
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
"Sling" armchair from the 70s for Knoll by designers Andrew Morrison and Bruce Hannah in a dark brown leather -like fabric and cast aluminum. Origina...
Aluminum
H 35.75 in W 55 in D 36 in
1970s Two-Seat Sling Sofa by Hannah Morrison for Knoll in Fabric and Aluminum
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Two-Seat Sling Sofa, designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a polished cast-steel frame, and has an upholstered seat & back. The uphols...
Steel
H 28 in W 30.5 in D 55.5 in
Sling Settee by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Designed by Hannah and Morrison for Knoll. Original green fabric with full metal construction.
Metal
H 28.01 in W 47.25 in D 30.01 in
Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison : Knoll Sofa
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison (Designer), Knoll (Creator) Dimensions: Height: 28 in (71.12 cm) Width: 120 cm Depth: 76.2 cm) Seat height: (45.72) cm Original duck-blue velve...
Fabric
H 27.5 in W 49.5 in D 29.5 in
1970s Hannah Morrison Knoll Two-Seat Sling Sofa, Aluminum & Turquoise Fabric
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Two-Seat Sling Sofa, originally designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. This particular example was produced in the United States and dates to the 1...
Aluminum
H 27.96 in W 47.64 in D 29.14 in
Hannah & Morrison for Knoll Grey Sling Sofa, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Basildon, London
Designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Ivar Morrison for Knoll, this Sling sofa is a fantastic example of 1970s design. Inspired by sail boats, the Sling sofa features an industrial ...
Fabric
Vintage Børge Mogensen Sofa Model 2219 for Fredericia Furniture Make in Denmark
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Portland, OR
A stunning example of mid century simplicity. Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik 4 seat sofa model 2219. Featuring a solid oak frame with two tone cushions 4 red, 4 grey with ...
Oak
Pair of Early 1960s Knoll Wassily Lounge Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Portland, OR
Original Knoll stickers intact! Pair of 1960’s Wassily Chairs production by Knoll International. The chairs have the original Knoll stickers and feature a gorgeous patina only achiev...
Chrome
Vintage Machine Age, McKay Craft Cantilevered Leather Sling Lounge Chairs
By Salvatore Bevelacqua, McKay Furniture Corp.
Located in Portland, OR
Gorgeous pair of Art Deco, Machine Age leather sling chairs by Salvatore Bevelacqua for McKay Craft Furniture Company. Featuring impressive chromium plated...
Steel, Chrome, Iron
Vintage Angel Pazmino Fruitwood & Hand-Tooled Leather Lounge Chair, Ecuador
By Muebles De Estilo, Angel Pazmino
Located in Portland, OR
Ultra-rare Angel Isaac Pazmino for Muebles de Estilo solid fruitwood lounge chair featuring interlocking joints, held together by rugged handcrafted rosewood pegs, with original hand-tooled leather seat & backrest. Comfortable, thick strapped leather with gorgeous detailing. Sturdy. Sculptural. South American Modern. Crafted by true artisans in Ecuador, circa 1960. Includes all original dowels (rare). History: Pazmino’s design career was launched as the result of a Peace Corps...
Leather, Fruitwood
Vintage Alberto Salviati 'Miamina' folding lounge chair for Saporiti Italia
By Saporiti
Located in Portland, OR
Very unique "Miamina" lounge chair by Alberto Salviati & Ambrogio Tresoldi for Saporiti Italia circa 1980. High-quality steel construction unfolds like a butterfly, exposing Memphis-...
Steel
Rare Herman Miller "RED SNAPPER" Desk, Designed by Ayse Byrnel
Located in Portland, OR
Ultra rare early 2000s "RED SNAPPER" desk by Herman Miller from the RED / Cloud line. Designed by Ayse Byrnel to accommodate new, forward-thinking offices around the time of the DOT ...
Steel
