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.
Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 8
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Aluminum
$172Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Knoll International 1601 Model Stackable Chairs by Don Albinson 1970s
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Debrecen, HU
Mid-century modern comfort and durability – Don Albinson’s classic design! Discover the iconic stackable chair from the 1970s, designed by Don Albinson for Knoll International. The ...
Aluminum
Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 8
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Aluminum
$1,023
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Set of 4 Vintage Knoll Stacking Chairs, Model 1601 by Don Albinson, 1960s
By Knoll
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 4 Vintage Stacking Chairs by Don Albinson for Knoll, Model 1601, 1964 A striking set of four original Knoll stacking chairs, designed by D...
Metal
$1,279Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.49 in W 18.9 in D 19.3 in
1960's Dutch Industrial Design Stacking Chairs
By Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Industrial Design Stacking Chair set of 10 pieces. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's period. Designed in the manner of Willy Van Der Meeren. These have no mak...
Metal
$2,250 / set
H 32 in W 17 in D 22 in
Set of Ten Post Modern Hindermann Orta Side, Dining Chairs/Dietiker Switzerland
By Christoph Hindermann
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dietiker chairs. Orta chair. The special thing about Orta is the optimally shaped, elastic back with the textile cover. Features royal blue netting, polymide seat, extremely comf...
Metal
$450 / item
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
1985 Torsion Stacking Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Krueger International
By Krueger International, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Torsion Stacking Chairs, originally designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Krueger Intl. These particular examples were produced in the year 1985. Their design includes a padded...
Steel
$1,136 / set
H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 19.69 in
Set of Five MIdcentury Knoll Stackable Chairs by Don Albinson, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- practical - confortable
Aluminum
$6,500 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.33 in D 17.72 in
Stackable Aluflex chairs by Armin Wirth for Hans Zollinger Sohne, Switzerland
By Armin Wirth, Hans Zollinger Sohre
Located in Almelo, NL
Stackable Aluflex chairs designed by Armin Wirth for Hans Zollinger Sohre in Switzerland in 1951. This set features six Aluflex folding chairs, a remarkable design by Armin Wirth, ...
Aluminum
$1,200 / item
H 32.5 in W 18.5 in D 17 in
André Dupré Model 130 Stacking Chairs for Knoll International -sold in sets
By Andre Dupre
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare collection of Model 130 stacking chairs designed by French designer André Dupré for Knoll International. Available in sets of 6, 8 or 12. An elegant exercise in minimalist const...
Steel, Chrome
