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.
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34 in W 25 in D 22 in
Pair of Don Petit for Knoll International Bentwood Armchairs
By Don Pettit
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a beautiful pair of Don Petit Bentwood Armchairs. He designed these chairs for Knoll International. They're sculpted in bentwood and have a nice Knoll fabric.
Fabric, Wood
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 23 in D 24.5 in
Pair of MCM Walnut Arm Chairs by Johnson Furniture Company in the Style of Risom
By Johnson Furniture Co., Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of MCM walnut framed arm chairs in the style of Jens Risom for Johnson Furniture Co., circa 1960s. The chairs are in good vintage condition with original upholstery and measure ...
Walnut
$2,200 / set
H 29 in W 24 in D 20 in
Stunning Pair Modernist Walnut Arm Chairs by Stow Davis /after Jens Risom
By Stow Davis, Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning pair modernist sculptural walnut arm chairs by Stow Davis /after Jens Risom. Classic Mid-Century Modern Design, beautiful dove-tail joinery, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Walnut Armchairs by Johnson Chair Co.
By Johnson Chair Company
Located in Highland, IN
These armchairs by the Johnson Chair Company have beautiful sculpted walnut frames with very striking arms. They remind us of designs by Jens Risom and Peter Wessel and have a fantas...
Upholstery, Walnut
$12,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut Armchairs By M. Singer & Sons
By M. Singer & Sons, Bertha Schaefer, Carlo di Carli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs are by the maker M. Singer & Sons circa late 1950s. They are attributed to American designer Bertha Schaefer and Italian designer Carlo ...
Walnut, Fabric
Pair of Oiled Walnut Armchairs New Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice Mid-Century Modern oiled walnut armchairs.
Walnut
$2,850 / set
H 33.25 in W 21 in D 25 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Wood & Brown Upholstered Arm Chairs, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Detroit, MI
This beautiful pair of vintage mid century modern arm chairs attributed to mid century Italian designer Gio Ponti are circa 1950. The distinctive design features sculptural, lacquere...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of MCM Walnut Dining Armchairs by Phoenix Chair
Located in Dekalb, IL
Sculptural mid century modern dining armchairs executed in walnut with tapered round legs, integrated curved armrests, and floating upholstered seats and backs. The design features a...
Brass
Pair Mid-Century Modern Walnut Armchairs by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of beautifully restored, model C-120 armchairs by Jens Risom feature sculptural, solid walnut frames with textured, steel blue tweed upholstery. A truly handsome pair of armchai...
Fabric, Walnut
$450 / set
H 30.5 in W 24.5 in D 24.5 in
Vintage Boling Chair Co Mid Century Modern Walnut Lounge Arm Chairs (A) - Pair
By Boling Chair Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Boling Chair Co. Mid Century Modern Walnut Woo...
Fabric, Walnut
