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.
$6,985
H 30 in W 52 in D 31.75 in
Vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two Seater Sofa and Chair Ivory - Set of 2
By Florence Knoll
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage Florence Knoll set, a Relaxed two-seater sofa and a chair for Knoll, circa 1970s–1980s, upholstered in a beautifully textured ivory wool blend ...
Steel
$16,323Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
Rare New Upholstered Beige Paul McCobb Set for Directional, USA - 1950s
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 1950s Paul McCobb Set for Directional, newly upholstered in Dedar Fabric. The measurements given apply to the sofa. The Lounge Chair measures: D9...
Fabric, Wood
$11,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 55.52 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Two Seat Mohair 'California' Sofas, Jacques Charpentier, Paris, 1970
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Superb and exclusive pair of two seat Mohair Velvet 'CALIFORNIA' sofas freshly reupholstered with Italian luxury Mohair Velvet fabric from Dedar Milano with inset stainless steel bases by Parisian high society designer Jacques Charpentier. This plush mohair pile...
Stainless Steel
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.5 in W 105 in D 93 in
Stylish Edward Wormley Dunbar Style 2 Piece Sectional Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish 2 piece Edward Wormley for Dunbar style sectional sofa. This one is going to need to be re-upholstered but oh the possibilities! We actually love the L-shaped setup and feel ...
Brass
$4,850
H 29 in W 102 in D 86 in
Stylish Italian Gio Ponti Style 2 Piece Sectional Sofa Brass Leg Mid-Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish Italian Gio Ponti style 2 piece sectional sofa with brass legs. This sofa retains its original textured woven wool fabric in presentable condition-reupholstery is recommende...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Janus Sofas - Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Janus Sofas - Pair Each sofa measures: 82 wide x 36 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height 17 inches Great Vintage Condition - Upholstery i...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
$7,500 / set
H 26.5 in W 94 in D 36 in
Pair of Milo Baughman Style Walnut Case Loveseat Sectional Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Milo Baughman style walnut case sofa with matching loveseat. This set is in very nice vintage condition-the original fabric still looks great. There are a few minor dings to...
Upholstery, Walnut
$9,850 / set
H 27 in W 120 in D 30 in
Sectional Sofa, Five-Seat, Two-Piece, Even Arm, off White, Restored, Excellent
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Sectional sofa in the style of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Even arm, elegant design. Expertly restored and reupholstered in an off white HBF Textiles Merci bouclé. As you see in the p...
Upholstery, Walnut
$7,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 24.5 in D 29.5 in
1960s Pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Slipper Lounge Chairs in Cream Fabric
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Armless Slipper Lounge Chairs, Model 51, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. These examples date to the 1960s, and the ...
Steel
$24,553Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.42 in W 45.08 in D 25.99 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofas by Lucien Rollin, Mahogany & Fabric, 1950
By Lucien Rollin
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of rare and elegant sofas by the French designer Lucien Rollin who studied under Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann.
Fabric, Mahogany
Custom Design Mid-Century Modern Beige Upholstery Box Shape Sofa Mint!
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Custom Design Mid-Century Modern beige upholstery box shape sofa mint!
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Gondola Style Sofa Pearsall Attributed Oatmeal Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Gondola style sofa pearsall attributed oatmeal upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Jens Risom NEW Beige Linen Upholstery Oiled Walnut Frame c1960s Sofa Couch MINT!
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Jens Risom NEW Beige Linen Upholstery Oiled Walnut Frame c1950s U-150 Sofa Couch MINT!
Walnut, Linen
Pair of Mid Century Modern McCobb Chairs Newly Upholstered in Cream Virgin Wool
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid Century Modern McCobb Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered in Cream Virgin Wool Fabric Stunning!
Upholstery, Walnut
New Gold Linen Upholstery Bamboo 2 Part Sectional Sofa c1970s MINT!
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New Gold Linen Upholstery Bamboo 2 Part Sectional Sofa c1970s MINT!
Upholstery, Rattan
Pair of Wide Seat Almost Sattee Width Lounge Chairs by Cassina
By Cassina, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of chrome tube frame design extra wide seats lounge chairs by Cassina. Bauhaus Le Corbusier style. Made in Italy. Textured velvet like fa...
Chrome
