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.
Diamond Chair by Harry BERTOIA, KNOLL INTERNATIONAL
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Original Diamond Chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1970s Early production Diamond chairs in white and black painted metal with rust-orange velvet pads....
Metal
Large Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Armchair in metal and blue fabric by Harry Bertoia. Large Diamond model. Seat height: 39 cm. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Red Diamond Chair, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Large Bertoia diamond chair measuring 28.75 in H x 40. in W x 29.5 in. What a wonderful addition to your Mid-Century Modern decor.
Steel
$1,200
H 31 in W 34 in D 25 in
Bertoia for Knoll Chrome Diamond Chair with Full Pad Cover C 1960/1970s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Diamond chair designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. This example was executed in the chrome plated finish, and comes with its original Knoll full pad cover ( somewhat crunchy b...
Chrome
Harry Bertoia "Diamond" Lounge Chair for Knoll, USA, 1980s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Hellouw, NL
A diamond lounge chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll with Kvadrat Fabric from the USA. This chair is probably produced in the 1980s and has a black frame with a fully covered seating ar...
Metal
$2,400
H 30 in W 33.5 in D 32.5 in
Harry Bertoia Early and Rare 'Pre-Production' Small Diamond Chair for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Early production small diamond chair with a very usual double wire seat configuration, the typical wire structure is in place but an additional larger space...
Wire
Diamond lounge chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Hilversum, NL
The Diamond Chair is an astounding study in space, form, and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century. Like Saarinen and Mies, Bertoia found sublime grace in an in...
Steel
$1,100
H 30 in W 33.5 in D 28.25 in
1960s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Small Diamond Chair with Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bertoia Small Diamond Chair, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1960s. The chair's design is comp...
Steel
$1,240 / item
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 33.47 in
Italian postmodern armchair Diamond by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 2004
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern armchair Diamond by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 2004 Armchair model Diamond, entirely made of chromed metal rod. The seat is composed of a mesh of welded steel wires ...
Steel
$4,530
H 30 in W 45 in D 33 in
Early Knoll Bertoia Large Diamond Chair with Original Mustard Upholstery, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional early-production Large Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates, circa late 1950s. This authentic example retains its original mustard wool upholstery, 1st generation factory shock mounts, and the rare red-and-white Knoll Associates label marked 320 Park Avenue, New York 22, N.Y., denoting pre-1969 production. Unlike later reissues or restored examples, this piece remains in completely original condition, meticulously cleaned and now presenting as near mint. The iconic welded steel frame retains its original chrome finish. The seat cover upholstery has slight wear consistent with age and use over time but does not exhibit any major losses. Bertoia’s Large Diamond...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bertoia For Knoll Wire Bar Stool
By Knoll
Located in Toledo, OH
Bertoia for Knoll wire chrome plated bar stool. Two are available. Price reflects one. Very solid and in very good condition. Remnants of a Knoll label was attached to the back of th...
Chrome
Verner Panton Pantonova Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Toledo, OH
This Pantonova lounge chair was designed by Verner Panton in 1971. This chair features parallel chromed steel wire rods with open sides. The uph...
Chrome
Pair Vintage Warren Platner Chairs For Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair Warren Platner for Knoll vintage chairs. Bronze tone base. Old recover work in very nice condition with minor wear. 36" wide x 27" deep x 30....
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Wood and Chrome DCM Eames Chair
By Charles Eames
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern ebonized wood and chrome chair by DCM Eames. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 21" depth x 19" W x 29.5" H, seat height 17.5".
Chrome
Soriana Series by Afra & Tobia Scarpa Cassina Italy Chair
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Toledo, OH
Vintage Italian lounge chair in the style of Soriana series by Afra & Scarpa for Cassina Italy. Dark red original fabric with very minimal wear.
Wool
Mid-Century Modern Acrylic and Chrome Chair
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern acrylic and chrome armchair. Unusual form with 3/8" thick acrylic shell. Very nice condition, minimal wear. Dimensions: 20" depth x 22" W x 28" H.
Acrylic
