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
$1,499
H 32 in W 23.25 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Desk Chair by Andrew Morrison & Bruce Hannah for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Lafayette, IN
Arguably one of the most elegant desk chair designs from the mid-century era, this Morrison/Hannah design for Knoll Studios is utilitarian sculpture at its best. Chair features a cur...
Aluminum, Chrome
$1,695Sale 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 Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
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
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair
By Steelcase
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair. Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth and 36" in height. Seat height is 19" and armheight 27.5". Seat interior width i...
Chrome
Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1963
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...
Aluminum
$1,947
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 25.6 in
Knoll Desk Swivel Chair designed by Hannah Bruce and Andrew Morrison on Wheels
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
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
Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 5 1980's vintage, Charles Pollock black executive desk chair for Knoll. The ultimate ergonomic, office desk chair designed by this George Nelson apprentice, Charles Pollock. S...
Chrome
Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chair for Knoll, upholstered in cognac-brown leather. Pollock's celebrated design features a generously cushioned, button tufted seat and back enclosed...
Chrome
Rare Midcentury Soft Pad Chairs Sunar Hauserman (up to 8)
By Niels Diffrient, Sunar
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Premium leather with beautiful stitching wrapped around aluminum frame. Unique brown leather chairs for home or office. Adjustable height and tilt. Arm height 24.75 lowest position
Metal
Nicos Zographos Mid Century Desk Chair
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Nicos Zographos Mid Century Desk Chair This chair measures: 26.75 wide x 28 deep x 32.75 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 25.75 inches Good...
Metal
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison Swivel Office Chair for Knoll, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
Vintage swivel office chair designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll, United States, 1970s. A polished aluminium support and wheeled swivel base give the chair a cle...
Aluminum
Jacques Adnet French Vintage Mid-century Office Chair, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
This 1950s sculptural armchair by Jacques Adnet showcases his distinctive blend of modernist geometry and refined French craftsmanship. Recently restored in a soft yellow golden velv...
Metal
French Mid-century modern Steel Armchair by Colette Gueden, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful French collectible mid-century lounge chair or armchair by Colette Gueden in a tubular black re-lacquered steel frame and light green upholstery. In fully restored conditio...
Steel
Italian Leather Office Chair Set by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting an expertly restored set of three Osvaldo Borsani office chairs, including an executive model and two visitor chairs. Each chair has been meticulously refurbished with new...
Chrome
1960's Danish Lounge Chair by Ole Gjerlov Knudssen for France & Søn
By Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind
Located in Paris, FR
A Mid-Century Modern Danish collectible cool low lounge chair designed Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen for France & Søn. The sleek teak frame and upholstery are impeccably restored by our atelie...
Upholstery, Teak
1950's Italian Lady Armchair of Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Paris, FR
The Iconic 20th-century collectible vintage Lady chair was designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in Italy in 1951. The very comfortable design features splayed expertly polished brass ...
Brass
