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.
Desk Chair by Max Pearson for Knoll
By Knoll, Max Pearson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A desk chair with the original channel-stitched upholstery, on an X-form caster base.
Upholstery
$1,739Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 24 in
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
$1,100 / item
H 34.5 in W 27.75 in D 27 in
1977 Pearson Executive Desk Chair by Max Pearson for Knoll International
By Knoll, Max Pearson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pearson Executive Chair, designed in 1966 by Max Pearson for Knoll. While Pearson had worked for Knoll for several years behind the scenes, this was first debuted in his fi...
Steel
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
$9,500
H 27 in W 34.75 in D 30.5 in
Executive Desk Chair by George Nelson for George Nelson associates
By George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A George Nelson designed rolling desk chair with orange fabric supported by a swivel base with casters. Manufactured by George Nelson and Associates in the 1960s. Newly reupholstered.
Metal
$4,584
H 31.11 in W 8.67 in D 21.66 in
Isamu Kenmochi Kabuto Office Chair, Metal, Mid-Century Modern, 1961
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Kabuto office chair designed by Isamu Kenmochi. Manufactured by Tendo Mokko (Japan) in 1961. In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a bea...
Metal
$1,998
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 19.3 in
Office Chair Vintage Vitramat by Wolfgang Mueller Deisig 1976 Vitra Switzerland
By Wolfgang Mueller Deisig
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage office chair designed in 1976 by Wolfgang Mueller Deisig for Vitra. The office chair features a black PVC seat shell with a foam upholstered seat and back and covered with brown textile fabric. The chair is adjustable from up to down and shows a swivel cross with five casters. approx. measures: Width 50 cm Depth 49 cm Height 98 cm Seat height from 45 cm to 59 cm Lit: A taxonomy of Office Chairs Jonathan Olivares...
Plastic
$458
H 34.26 in W 16.54 in D 17.33 in
Collection Chair Model "65184" Design Adam Stegner for Pagholz Flötotto, 1980s
By Pagholz Flötotto, Adam Stegner
Located in taranto, IT
Pagholz Flototto collection chair model "65184", design Adam Stegner, mid 80s metal structure with five-star base, swivel and height-adjustable sea...
Metal
$1,140Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.65 in W 17.72 in D 14.18 in
Danish Architect Chair by Jørgen Rasmussen for Kevi, 1970s
By Jørgen Rasmussen, Kevi
Located in Karis, Nyland
The classic Danish architect chair in vibrant red, designed by Jorgen Rasmussen for Kevi, with adjustable plywood seat and backrest and swiveli...
Steel
Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
By Don Chadwick, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Knoll swivel desk chair(s) from the 1970's, in rich brown formed foam upholstery, on five star base. The chair swivels a full 360, and the base is on double wheel coaster...
Plastic
Midcentury Planner Group Armchair by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1960s Midcentury armchair in dark walnut finish with tipped cushions. This chair is unmarked but attributed to Paul McCobb for Winchendon. A similar style to this was also desig...
Maple
Parsons Style Armchair with Ottoman
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1980s Great vintage parsons style armchair with ottoman. Hardwood frame with great build quality. Ship this right to your upholsterer, it can take a print! DIMENSIONS CHAIR, 30"...
Fabric, Wood
Space-age Cream Plastic Stacking Chair Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Umbo
By Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Sweden, 1970s Space-age cream plastic Umbo stacking chair designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for the Umbo Furniture line series which was sold by Direct...
Plastic
Bambi Teak Dining Chair by Rolf Rastad + Adolf Relling for Gustav Bahus, Norway
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Norway, 1960s Bambi Teak Dining Chair by Rolf Rastad & Adolf Relling for Gustav Bahus, Norway. CONDITION NOTES: One stretcher has broken off. Joints ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Midcentury Armchair with nice Moderate Scale
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1950s Mid-century armchair with a nice, moderate scale. Walnut legs- the front tapered dowel and the rear square. Purchased with other items from an estate that were mainly Dunb...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Gestural Dining Chairs by International Furniture Corp
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1970s Pair of gestural dining chairs by International Furniture Corp. Great sculptural form and graphic style. DIMENSIONS: 19.5" W x 18.5" D x 29" H; Arm Height, 28 7/8" H; Seat...
Bentwood
