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.
Mid Century Modern Walnut & Black Vinyl Executive Swivel Desk Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
As seen on the Apple TV limited series "Lessons in Chemistry" These actual chairs were featured in several pivotal scenes in the conference room at Hastings L...
Aluminum
Rare Vintage Mid Century Modern 4331 Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
This is a rare example of the Model 4331 lounge chair designed by Pierre Paulin for Thonet. Chair features a plywood frame with black enamel finish, fresh white boucle upholstery, t...
Metal
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming pair of streel-frame arm chairs built in 1965 by Steelcase Inc. Chairs feature angular, black-painted steel frames, walnut armrests and new saddle-brown vinyl embossed with a classic, western-inspired, paisley motif. With their architectural lines, unique upholstery...
Metal, Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Green Leather Oval-Back Armchairs Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Lafayette, IN
A fantastic pair of Mid-Century Modern green leather and walnut club chairs by Danish American designer Jens Risom. From the 1960s, these chairs are in very nice vintage condition. C...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Walnut Modern Dining Chairs Armchairs by Gunlocke
By Gunlocke
Located in Lafayette, IN
These awesome chairs feature spectacular 1960s style and, despite their solid walnut construction, are surprisingly comfortable! The chairs themselves are in very nice, re-finished c...
Walnut
Rare Set of Six 1960s Mid-Century Modern Cherry and Chrome Dining Chairs
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Lafayette, IN
This very unusual set of Mid-Century chairs is attributed to the manufacturer Romweber. We have been in the vintage furniture business for 4...
Chrome
Knoll Desk Swivel Chair designed by Hannah Bruce and Andrew Morrison on Wheels
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
A functional and very elegant design of a swivel desk chair with arm rest and rollers very practical for all office spaces. Designed by Hannah Bruce and Andrew Morrison for KNOLL, 19...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Herman Miller Swivel Office Chair Newly Reupholstered
By Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Peter Protzman for Herman Miller High Back Swivel Office Chair on Casters Newly Reupholstered with Black Distressed Italian Leather Circa Mid 20th Century Tagge...
Leather
Swivel Desk Chair by Max Pearson for Knoll International, USA 1970
By Max Pearson, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Max Pearson for Knoll International, this mid-century modern swivel chair offers both functionality and iconic design. The chair features a sculptural molded shell uphols...
Steel
Rare Model 2328 Office Chair by Hannah & Morrison for Knoll, 1970s (2 Avail)
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
These rare beauties are hard to keep in stock! This listing is for one chair, we have two available. Use the drop down menu to indicate how many chairs you would like. The fabric o...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Retro Vintage Swivel 1970s Scandinavian office swivel chair
By De Sede
Located in Markington, GB
A refined example of 1970s Scandinavian office design, this swivel armchair combines functional ergonomics with the understated elegance characteristic of Danish mid-century furnitu...
Metal
Mid-Century Hannah Morrison for Knoll Suede Office Chair, 1950s
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Paris, FR
Superb desk chair designed in the USA by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in the 1950s-1960s composed of a meticulously polished aluminium structure with swivel base on rol...
Aluminum
