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.
Danish Modern Teak Sofa by Grete Jalk for France and Son, 1960s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A true icon of mid-century modern design, this exceptional sofa by Grete Jalk for France & Son, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the...
Fabric, Teak
$5,406
H 28.75 in W 74.81 in D 32.29 in
Sofa by Folke Ohlsson " Colorado" Made by Bodafors Teak Wood Sweden 1960 Signed
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Sofa by Folke Ohlsson " Colorado" made by Bodafors teak wood Sweden 1960 signed underneath the frame. Good vintage condition. Teak wood frame in good condition. With a timeless, teak-laden style—so emblematic of Scandinavian modernism—Swedish furniture designer Folke Ohlsson is perhaps best remembered for his outsized role in progressing the popularity of Scandinavian furniture...
Teak
Modernist Hartmut Lohmeyer Oak Sofa for Wilkhahn Midcentury
By Wilkhahn, Hartmut Lohmeyer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Rare Sofa designed by Hartmut Lohmeyer for Wilkhahn. Minimalistic design. Oak wood and brown wool. Beautiful Patina on the wood. A very comfortable seating...
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Vintage sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s. The sofa has a teak frame and the cushions have a cream beige fabric. The sofa is in great condition. Dime...
Teak
Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen Teak and Oak Settee, circa 1950s
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish design teak and oak two person settee, Designed by Tove and Edvard Kindt-Larsen, circa 1950s, Model 117. Settee can be disassembled without the use of tools. Re-upholstered ...
Teak
$5,532
H 29.14 in W 64.97 in D 29.14 in
Danish 3-seater sofa, laminated beech and mahogany model AX by Peter Hvidt 1960.
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Fritz Hansen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sofa composed of two movable armchairs, each with an armrest and a chaise longue in the middle. With its understated and elegant design, this set can be combined ...
Fabric, Beech, Mahogany
$5,289
H 29.93 in W 74.02 in D 29.53 in
Elegant Three-Seat Oak Sofa, Denmark. 1960. New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Three-Seat Oak Sofa, Denmark. 1960. New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric. This sofa in excellent condition is ideal for a centerpiece in a living room or a bedroom. The combination ...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
$8,697
H 31.5 in W 88.98 in D 31.11 in
Teak Sofa "Venus" by Illum Wikkelsø for C F Christensen Silkeborg, 1972
By CFC Silkeborg, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Silkeborg, 1972. Solid teak wood with a curved frame. Danish design from the 1970s with high-quality craftsmanship. We can organize fast shipping...
Fabric, Teak
$6,500
H 31 in W 49 in D 28 in
Finn Juhl Style, Danish Modern, Wood, Beige Fabric, Sofa, Denmark, 1950s
By Finn Juhl
Located in Stamford, CT
Finn Juhl Style, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Wood, Beige Fabric, Sofa or Settee, Denmark, 1950s A modernist sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl, designed and produced in Denmark in the m...
Fabric, Wood
$2,584
H 31.89 in W 51.97 in D 29.93 in
Midcentury 2 seater Teak Sofa by Juul Kristensen, Denmark, 1970s
By Juul Kristensen
Located in Praha, CZ
- very confortable - rare type
Fabric, Teak
Cees Braakman Birch Loveseat for Pastoe with New Canvas Cushion
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe in the 1950s, the Model FB06 loveseat features a bent birch frame with sweeping curved arms and splayed legs. The open frame construction is ...
Birch, Canvas
Bernt Petersen 'Kludestolen' Oak Lounge Chairs, Denmark, 1970s — Set of 3
By Bernt Petersen, Schiang
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three 'Kludestolen' lounge chairs by Danish designer Bernt Petersen, produced in Denmark in the 1970s. Each chair features a solid oak frame with a natural hand-wax finish and...
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Danish Leather Loveseat, 1970's
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen Aarhus, the Model 380 loveseat features a solid oak frame with rounded legs and rails, lightly refinished to a warm medium-brown tone...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
1970's Yngve Ekstrom Style Fat Pine Framed Reclining Sofa with White Upholstery
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chunky pine frame sofa designed in the manner of Yngve Ekström's work for Swedese, dating to the 1970s. The large-scale frame is constructed from solid pine with thick rectangular sl...
Upholstery, Pine
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Brown Leather Three-Seat Sofa, 1970s
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Danish three-seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by A. Mikael Laursen in Aarhus. The solid wood frame features rounded legs and horizontal rails with a ligh...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Stained Oak & Leather Lounge Chairs, Pair
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Model 380 lounge chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø, produced in Denmark. Frames are stained oak with rounded cylindrical legs and posts, connected by flat horizontal rails in...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
