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.
Rare Swedish Easy Chair by Svante Skogh, 1950s
By Svante Skogh
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mahogany easy chair designed by Svante Skogh, Sweden, 1950s. Reupholstered. Excellent condition.
Mahogany
Danish Easy Chair, 1940-1950
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish high back easy chair, 1940-1950. The seat with coil springs, legs in dark polished beech. Newly upholstered in off-white boucle fabric from Nobilis. The chair is very com...
Bouclé, Beech
Easy chair designed by Otto Shulz for Boet, Sweden, 1940s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Stockholm, SE
This vintage armchair is a refined example of the work of Otto Schulz, whose distinctive approach played a formative role in early twentieth-century Swedish design. The form draws in...
Fabric, Ash
"Lilla Eva" Chair by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist, Sweden 1950s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Kerstin Horlin Holmquist
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Lilla Eva” model is from the timeless and iconic Paradise Collection, which was created by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist during her time as a designer at Nordiska Kompaniet. The nam...
Fabric, Wood
201 Armless Chair by Elias Svedberg
By Elias Svedberg
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and important, 201 armless chair by Elias Svedberg for Nordiska Kompaniet -1947 imported by Knoll International. The 201 arm...
Birch, Upholstery
$4,665
H 28.75 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Carl Malmsten "Lillasyster" Easy Chair for OH Sjögren, Sweden 20th Century
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten’s “Lillasyster” (little sister) easy chair is a stunning representation of the Swedish designer’s craftsmanship and creativity. “Neither light, nor eyes, nor people lik...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Samspel Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage Swedish Samspel armchair by Carl Malmsten. It was made in Sweden, it dates from around the 1960’s. This is of exceptional quality and is ex...
Bouclé, Wood
Swedish Modern Samsas armchair by Carl Malmsten 1950's
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Uccle, BE
This Samsas armchair has been reupholstered in a cotton blend-Villa Nova Bari fabric parchment color. This armchair was created by Carl Malmsten, one of Sweden's best known furnitur...
Cotton, Beech
$13,188
H 35.04 in W 27.96 in D 27.17 in
Easy chair designed by Alvar Andersson for Ferdinand Lundquist & Co
By Alvar Andersson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Easy chair designed by Alvar Andersson for Ferdinand Lundquist & Co, Sweden, 1940s. Textile and birch. Marked. H: 89 cm / 2' 11'' W: 71 cm / 2' 4'' D: 69 cm / 2' 3 1/4'' SH: 43 cm...
Textile, Birch
Easy Chair by Karl-Erik Ekselius, Sweden, 1960s
By JOC Mobler Vetlanda, Karl-Erik Ekselius
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare model. Designed by Karl-Erik Ekselius, produced by JOC in Vetlanda, Sweden, 1960s. Solid oak frame and newly upholstered cushions in Hallingdal wool fabric from Kvadrat. Set o...
Oak
