In 1865, Wilhelm Knoll opened a modest leather shop in Stuttgart—a skilled craftsman who'd spent time in Paris, then the world centre of leather goods and luxury. His expertise quickly earned recognition, and the House of Württemberg appointed him "Supplier to the Royal Court." The Knoll dynasty had begun.

When Wilhelm's sons Willy and Walter assumed control in 1907, they pivoted decisively into furniture production, introducing Germany's first club armchair and establishing branches in Vienna and St. Petersburg. The brothers became the industry's first exporters, positioning Knoll at the vanguard of upholstered furniture innovation.

The 1920s marked Walter Knoll's transformation into a modernist icon. After establishing his own company separate from his brother's firm, Walter launched the revolutionary Prodomo series—historically classified as the first modern upholstered furniture. These lightweight pieces, with their coloured fabrics replacing traditional leather, captured the Zeitgeist of the roaring twenties. The designs proved so successful that the world's first wide-bodied aircraft, the Dornier Do X, was furnished entirely with lightweight aluminium chairs from the Prodomo range. Zeppelin airships, including the legendary Hindenburg, employed chairs from Willy's Antimott collection.

Then came 1927—the pivotal moment that secured Walter Knoll's place in design history. When Ludwig Mies van der Rohe organised the landmark Weissenhof Estate exhibition in Stuttgart, showcasing modernist housing by Europe's greatest architects—Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Peter Behrens—he turned to his friend Walter Knoll to provide furniture. Walter furnished five apartments by Mies himself and nine apartments overall, introducing tubular steel furniture that would define the modernist aesthetic.

In 1938, as war loomed, Walter's son Hans Knoll departed for America, initially to sell his father's Prodomo collection. In 1939, Hans founded his own company—what would become Knoll Inc., later partnering with Florence Schust to create one of America's most influential design houses. Father and son had spawned two legendary furniture dynasties on separate continents.

Post-war reconstruction brought challenges. Both Knoll companies had suffered wartime devastation and were forced to rebuild from rubble. In 1945, Walter collaborated with designer Jens Risom to launch the streamlined Vostra chair—its clean lines perfectly capturing Germany's spirit of renewal. The design earned international acclaim, re-establishing Walter Knoll's reputation.

Throughout the 1950s-70s, Walter Knoll produced classics that populate their "Classic Collection" today: the Bucket Seat 369, Arno Votteler's 368 armchair, Trix and Robert Haussmann's designs. In 1964, Walter retired, handing management to his son Robert. The company entered the contract furniture market, famously outfitting Berlin's Tegel Airport in 1975. In 1985, Walter Knoll & Co. absorbed the Wilhelm Knoll Company, uniting the dynasty under one banner.

The transformative chapter arrived in 1993 when the Benz family—founders of the renowned Rolf Benz brand—acquired Walter Knoll. Markus Benz, Rolf's son, assumed leadership and orchestrated a comprehensive relaunch. Under his stewardship spanning over three decades, Walter Knoll has increased output tenfold whilst maintaining its commitment to German craftsmanship and "Made in Herrenberg" production.

Markus cultivated long-term collaborations with internationally renowned designers, including EOOS (17+ years), PearsonLloyd (15+ years), Norman Foster (10+ years), Claudio Bellini, Kengo Kuma, and others. These aren't transactional relationships—they're built on loyalty, respect, and shared vision. Foster's 520 Club Chair won the Red Dot "Best of the Best" award. EOOS's Leadchair exemplifies modern executive seating without corporate ostentation. The Jaan sofa has become a contemporary icon.

In 2015, Walter Knoll celebrated its 150th anniversary. Today, the company operates flagship showrooms across London, Paris, Mumbai, Beijing, and Sydney, employing over 200 craftspeople at its transparent "Markenland" headquarters in Herrenberg—where visitors can watch master upholsterers at work through glass walls. In 2023, Markus's daughter, Mara Benz, joined as Chief Information Officer, ensuring the dynasty continues into its sixth generation.

At HFOC, we specialise in sourcing authentic second-hand Walter Knoll pieces—from Bauhaus-era classics to Foster's contemporary designs, from EOOS's sculptural forms to the legendary FK chairs by Fabricius and Kastholm. Each piece represents over 150 years of German upholstery mastery, offering discerning buyers the opportunity to own furniture that transcends fashion.

Walter Knoll doesn't create furniture. It creates German design legacy.