Classic Modernist Florence Knoll Walnut and Oak Credenza, Early Knoll Label
View Similar Items
Classic Modernist Florence Knoll Walnut and Oak Credenza, Early Knoll Label
About the Item
- Creator:Florence Knoll (Designer),Knoll (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 71 in (180.34 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062427994042
Florence Knoll
Architect, furniture designer, interior designer, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism. Dedicated to functionality and organization, and never flamboyant, Knoll shaped the ethos of the postwar business world with her polished, efficient design and skillfully realized office plans.
Knoll had perhaps the most thorough design education of any of her peers. Florence Schust was orphaned at age 12, and her guardian sent her to Kingswood, a girl’s boarding school that is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit. Her interest in design brought her to the attention of Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Saarinen and his wife took the talented child under their wing, and she became close to their son, the future architect Eero Saarinen. While a student at the academy, Florence befriended artist-designer Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Later, she studied under three of the Bauhaus masters who emigrated to the United States. She worked as an apprentice in the Boston architectural offices of Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe taught her at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, whose eponymous furniture company was just getting off the ground. They married in 1946, and her design sense and his business skills soon made Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Florence signed up the younger Saarinen as a designer, and would develop pieces by Bertoia, Mies and the artist Isamu Noguchi. Her main work came as head of the Knoll Planning Group, designing custom office interiors for clients such as IBM and CBS. The furniture Florence created for these spaces reflects her Bauhaus training: the pieces are pure functional design, exactingly built; their only ornament from the materials, such as wood and marble. Her innovations — the oval conference table, for example, conceived as a way to ensure clear sightlines among all seated at a meeting — were always in the service of practicality.
Since her retirement in 1965, Knoll received the National Medal of Arts, among other awards; in 2004 the Philadelphia Museum of Art mounted the exhibition “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern” — well deserved accolades for a strong, successful design and business pioneer. As demonstrated on these pages, the simplicity of Knoll’s furniture is her work’s great virtue: they fit into any interior design scheme.
Knoll
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.
- Early production Florence Knoll Desk, Classic Modernist design, Knoll New YorkBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYEarly production walnut and rosewood desk designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll ,features richly grained walnut top rosewood frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Sliding Door Credenza with Drawers, Classic ModernistBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Buffalo, NYFrom the Paul McCobb Modular Planner Group line of Winchendon Furniture. Solid maple cabinet holds three drawers on one side single drawer with adj...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGrasscloth, Maple
- Stunning Paul McCobb Credenza for Calvin Linear Group Cabinet, Classic ModernistBy Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning Paul McCobb credenza for Calvin Linear Group cabinet, Classic Modernist Design.. Beautiful figured walnut..Aluminum trim and details..Two sliding doors (bottom).. Three draw...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsAluminum
- Classic Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Florence Knoll Desk KnollBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic midcentury walnut and chrome Florence Knoll desk features richly grained walnut top chromed steel frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll label.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Curved front Walnut Credenza by Deilcraft. 1950’s, Classic Modernist DesignBy CraftLocated in Buffalo, NYCurved front Figured Walnut Credenza by Deilcraft. 1950’s sleek cabinet on high tapered legs with 3 sliding doors. 2 cabinets with shelves and one with a drawer. Tons of storage. .Cl...Category
Vintage 1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, KnollBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYVintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsChrome
- Stylish Modern Sliding Door Credenza by Florence KnollBy Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique Mid-Century cabinet features spacious sliding door storage and sleek modern design. Iconic design by Florence Knoll, this spacious console cabinet is ideal for use as a television stand, office storage, or for dining room use. Steel legs, unique handles, and cloth covered doors add to the appeal of this vintage Knoll cabinet...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll for Knoll with Black Marble Top CredenzaBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAA sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a black mar...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMarble, Stainless Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door CredenzaBy Florence KnollLocated in Port Jervis, NYDiminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsSteel
$2,316 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Green Verde Marble Top Credenza or CabinetBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PAA sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a rare gree...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMarble, Stainless Steel
- Florence Knoll Designed CredenzaBy Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern office sideboard by Florence Knoll. Walnut grain throughout with strong metal legs. Pull out tray and file cabinet. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Early Florence Knoll For Knoll Associates Walnut And Cream Credenza C.1950By Florence KnollLocated in Bernville, PAExceptional early Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates Credenza. Beautiful walnut veneer cabinet with white lacquer doors and maple veneer inside. Cabinet has an early Knoll tag on th...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMaple, Walnut, Lacquer
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
10 Trailblazing Female Designers
From pioneering visionaries to contemporary talents, get to know some of the most important women in design.
Remembering Design Visionary Florence Knoll Bassett (1917-2019)
A loving look back at the life and career of a doyenne of mid-century-modern style, who died last week at the age of 101.