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.
Original Cognac Leather Hardoy Butterfly Chair, Issued by Knoll, 1950s
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Butterfly Chair with a tan leather sling, designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, issued by Knoll. This iconic mid-century design exudes a relaxed ...
Leather
Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic PK-33 Ottoman in camel leather, designed by Poul Kjærholm, produced by Fritz Hansen. Stainless steel frame is a nod to Kjærholm's affinity for industrial materials, employed a...
Stainless Steel
Finn Juhl Pelican Chair in Cognac Leather
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pelican Chair designed by Finn Juhl, edition produced by House of Finn Juhl. Upholstered in rich cognac leather, this example highlights the Pelican Chair's sculptural silhouette thr...
Leather
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno P40 Chaise Lounge, Cognac Leather, Mid-Century Italy
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1955. The P40 uses a system of articulated components to move between an upright seat and a fully extended chaise. The backr...
Steel
Charles and Ray Eames Zenith Rope Edge Fiberglass Armchair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First-generation Zenith armchair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This early Greige fiberglass shell has developed an unusually warm tone over decades of use, giv...
Fiberglass
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 925 Lounge Chair
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First-issue Model 925 Lounge Chair, in walnut and cognac leather, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Based on an earlier sketch by Carlo Scarpa, the design was finally re...
Leather, Walnut
Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy Butterfly Chair for Knoll in Original Dark Brown Leather
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
We have another model of the butterfly chair with light brown leather listed. The butterfly chair, also known as the BKF chair or the Hardoy chair, is a folding chair with a simple yet elegant design. The chair consists of a metal frame with a sling seat and backrest made from leather. The frame is typically made of tubular steel and has two curved legs that are connected by a crossbar at the bottom, as well as two more angled legs that support the seat and backrest. The butterfly chair was designed by Argentine architects Juan Kurchan...
Metal
Vintage Leather Butterfly Chair by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll
By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Butterfly Chair, designed by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. This example retains it's dark chocolate brown leather sling and the black iron base ha...
Iron
Mid Century Early Hardoy Leather Butterfly Lounge Chair style of Knoll (A)
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A vintage iconic black wrought iron framed Butterfly lounge chair with black leather sling cover designed by Jorge Ferrari- Hardoy. This early production Mid Century lounge chair hav...
Wrought Iron
Pair Of Leather Butterfly Chairs By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy For Knoll
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of iconic wrought iron frame BKF-Butterfly lounge chairs by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll is simple yet elegant design. The Butterfly chair model consists of an open, criss-crossing, tubular wrought iron frame with a leather sling seat that slips over the frame. The newly produced, thick tan leather sling covers on these chairs are hand-cut featuring saddle stitching with one horizontal and one vertical seam that places the sitter in a comfortable upright position. The butterfly chair was designed by Argentine architects Juan Kurchan, Antonio Bonet, and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy (but Ferrari-Hardoy is considered to be the primary designer), who were inspired by the British military folding chair...
Wrought Iron
1960s Pair of Leather Butterfly Chairs Jorge Ferrari Hardoy Bonet Kurchan Knoll
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Beautiful Pair of Leather Butterfly Chairs by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy Bonet and Kurchan. Black Iron base in original condition, Veg Tan Leather was replaced at some point. Great ...
Iron
Brazilian Modern Armchair in Brown Leather & Iron, Carlo Hauner, 1950s, Brazil
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Hauner, Brazil, c. 1950s. This armchair exemplifies Hauner’s engagement with structural economy and an elegantly minimal domestic vocabulary. The model follows the period’s int...
Iron
