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.
Pair of Wassily Chairs by Knoll in Brown Leather and Chrome
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Wassily sling armchairs by Knoll in brown leather and chrome. The Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair, was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925–1926 while he was the...
Chrome
$8,237
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 27.17 in
Italian mid-century Brown Armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Brown leather armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s Pair of armchairs mod. Wassily or B3 in brown leather. The backrest, armrests and seat a...
Steel
$4,850 / set
H 28.75 in W 31 in D 25.5 in
Pr. Vintage Marcel Breuer Wassily Chairs in Brown Leather and Chrome circa 1970s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of Wassily lounge chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer, these examples are circa 1970's, probably made by Cassina, unsigned. The chairs feature dark brown leather uphol...
Chrome
$7,400 / set
H 29 in W 31 in D 27 in
Mid Century Dark Brown Leather Wassily Arm Chairs Marcel Breuer for Knoll 1960s
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
These vintage mid-century modern brown Wassily arm chairs designed by Marcel Breuer and manufactured by Knoll are circa 1960. This pair features beautifu...
Steel, Chrome
$8,120 / set
H 28.75 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Italian modern brown armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s Pair of iconic armchairs model Wassily or B3 in dark brown leather. The backrest, armrests, and sea...
Steel
Vintage Set of Knoll Wassily Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
All original, Vintage pair of Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer for Knoll. Originally designed in 1925, this is a truly Classic and timeless design. One chair retains its original Knol...
Chrome
$7,531 / set
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 27.37 in
Italian modern light brown armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light brown armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s Pair of armchairs mod. Wassily or B3 in light brown leather. The backrest, armrests and seat are made ...
Metal
$9,061 / set
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 25.6 in
Italian modern brown armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather armchairs Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s Pair of armchairs model Wassily or B3 in red-brown leather. The backrest, armrests, and seat are ma...
Steel
$7,295 / set
H 28.75 in W 31 in D 27 in
Pair of Early 1960s Knoll Wassily Lounge Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Portland, OR
Original Knoll stickers intact! Pair of 1960’s Wassily Chairs production by Knoll International. The chairs have the original Knoll stickers and feature a gorgeous patina only achiev...
Chrome
$5,000 / set
H 31 in W 22.5 in D 22 in
Rare Knoll MR30/5 Lounge Chairs in Caramel Leather by Mies van der Rohe, Pair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Stamford, CT
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the celebrated German architect and pivotal figure of the Bauhaus movement, helped redefine 20th-century design through his exploration of form, material, a...
Steel, Chrome
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani Set of 4 Vintage Tan Suede Fabric Tucroma Chairs
By Guido Faleschini
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 "Tucroma" chairs by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani. This set of stunning Italian design dining chairs are a perfect example of 70s Euro styling. The Tucroma chair was ori...
Suede
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Cantilever T Back Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever T-back lounge chair exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to Mid-Century Modern seating, balancing comfort with clean architectu...
Metal
Set of 6 Robert Haussmann for De Sede RH-320 Brown Mohair & Chrome Dining Chairs
By De Sede
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 6 1970s Robert Haussmann RH-320 dining chairs for De Sede. This lovely modern set of dining chairs features a very clean, chic design and material choice. They have a chrome...
Mohair
Pair Of Rene Herbst Highback Sandow Cord Chairs
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This pair of René Herbst highback chairs exemplifies the designer’s pioneering approach to modernist furniture through the use of industrial materials and expressive structure. The c...
Chrome
Set of 3 Arne Vodder Model FD-184 Chairs for France & Daverkosen Vintage Danish
By France & Daverkosen, Arne Vodder
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 3 Arne Vodder for France & Daverkosen Model FD-184 chairs. The FD-184 chair by Arne Vodder is a fantastic Danish design, (and a personal favorite of this writer), featuring ...
Teak
Eames for Herman Miller DCM Plywood and Chrome Chair Mid Century Modern
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Enhance your home or office with the iconic Mid Century Modern charm of this Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair. Showcasing the distinctive molded plywood construction, it combines n...
Chrome
