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.
Robert Venturi Sheraton chair for Knoll Postmodern 80s
By Robert Venturi, Knoll
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Robert Venturi chair for knoll Model: Sheraton Silkscreen printed pattern on black plywood. Rare model in famous Venturi's chairs in Knoll collection.
Plywood
$2,750 / item
H 32.09 in W 18.71 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" Chair for Cassina, Black Lacquered, 1965
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chair for Cassina, black lacquered, Italy, 1965. Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's typical d...
Walnut, Plywood
$9,318 / item
H 30.01 in W 25.99 in D 22.01 in
Swallowtail Chair in Ebonized Wood Frame & Seat by Brian Fireman Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Swallowtail Chair in Ebonized Wood Frame & Seat Dimensions: D 55,9 x W 66 x H 76,2 cm. Materials: Ebonized wood. Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Available in ebonized wo...
Wood
Black Ángulo Chair by Arturo Verástegui
By Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Ángulo chair by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 54 x W 60 x H 78 cm Materials: oak wood, leather. Available in leather or fabric. Chair made of burnt and natural white oa...
Leather, Oak
$686 / item
H 28.75 in W 19 in D 18.75 in
Postmodern Black Dr. Glob Accent Chair by Philippe Starck Kartell 80s (3 Avail)
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Basel, BS
Three available, Sold individually here. Designer: Phillipe Starck, in 1988 Manufacturer: Kartell Kartell Dr. Glob Modern Chair. The Dr. Glob chair was designed by the acclaimed designer Philippe Starck for Kartell in Italy. Fashioned from two different materials, Phillipe Starck's modern interpretation of a classic chair quickly attained icon status. Its unique design typifies the early design direction of Philippe Starck that made him world renowned. The chair can be used indoors as well outdoors, and is stackable up to ten chairs high for easy storage. A uniquely modern chair...
Metal
$2,470 / item
H 35.44 in W 21.26 in D 27.96 in
Klismos Armchair in Black Lacquered Wood, Leather Upholstery, Italy
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in IT
Klismos customizable chairs with saber legs, black lacquered wood and black leather seats capitonnè finishing / with buttons. Available in other colors and upholstery. Walnut wood...
Leather, Cotton, Nutwood, Walnut
$8,500 / item
H 27.56 in W 25.99 in D 23.63 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "925" Easy Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1966
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "925" easy chair for Cassina, plywood and black leather, Italy, 1966. In 1966 Afra & Tobia Scarpa designed the "925" chair, realized in walnut and leather. The armchair is inspired by a sketch made in 1943...
Leather, Plywood
$3,050 / item
H 32.09 in W 20.08 in D 20.87 in
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chair for Mobil Girgi, Black Leather, 1970
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" single chair for Mobil Girgi, black leather and beech, Italy, 1970. The iconic "Sapporo" chair consists of an individual backrest, conceived with two vertica...
Leather, Beech
$4,934 / item
H 42.13 in W 15.75 in D 20.48 in
Eden Chair in Black Pen Shell and Upholstered in Calf-Hair by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Eden chair...
Shagreen Stingray
$2,725
H 32.09 in W 18.71 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1965
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chair for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1965 Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's typical doub...
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Pair Sheraton Chairs by Robert Venturi for Knoll. 1986, Signed
By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two Robert Ventura and Denise Scott Brown Sheraton Chairs for Knoll. Produced in 1986. Both examples are signed with the original Knoll labels.
Wood, Leather
Rare Pair Dunbar Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather, Mahogany Frames, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare and desirable high back Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Both chairs are completely original. The original black leather has no tears, scuffs, or repairs and show slight stretching on the seats. The mahogany frames show light signs of use in the form of light scratches and nicks, but no distractions. These are excellent examples of this important design, clearly well cared for over the years. Acquired from the original owner. Signed with the gold Dunbar metal...
Brass
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Mahogany, Leather
Rocking Chaise by Richard Meier for Knoll, 1982. Black Leather. Rare. Signed.
By Richard Meier, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Richard Meier Rocking Chaise manufactured by Knoll, 1982. Designed to lay either direction and wide enough for two people. The original black leather was in hardly used condition, ...
Leather, Birch
Dining / Desk Chair model BM5 by Alessandro Mendini and Mario Brunati, 1965
By Alessandro Mendini, G. Moscatelli, Mario Brunati
Located in Kansas City, MO
Alessandro Mendini and Mario Brunati Dining, Desk, or Side Armless Chair, Model BM5 for Moscatelli, Italy, 1965. Lavender / light purple fabric and walnut frame. A beautiful exampl...
Upholstery, Walnut
Jorge Zalszupin Lounge Chair in Black Leather and Brazilian Rosewood
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Jorge Zalszupin Presidential Lounge Chair. Brazilian Rosewood frame with expertly reupholstered black leather cushions...
Steel, Chrome
