FUR-037 — Warren Platner for Knoll — Original Lounge Chair c.1966, Cato Fabric & Molded Latex Foam, Restoration Project

An original Warren Platner Lounge Chair, circa 1966 — one of the most celebrated and recognizable designs in the history of American modernist furniture, and a cornerstone of any serious Mid-Century Modern collection.

Warren Platner (1919–2006) designed his iconic wire furniture collection for Knoll in 1966 after five years of development — creating a series of chairs, tables, and ottomans built from hundreds of curved steel rods welded to circular and semi-circular frames. The resulting forms are at once structurally audacious and visually poetic: Platner described his goal as creating furniture that had "that decorative, lush quality that you see in a bowl of spaghetti." The collection was an immediate sensation and remains in continuous production by Knoll to this day — a testament to the timelessness of the design.

This example features the original Cato fabric upholstery — a textile with an exaggerated texture similar to traditional handweaving — over molded latex foam cushions, exactly as originally specified.

Details:

• Designer: Warren Platner (1919–2006)
• Manufacturer: Knoll
• Design Year: 1966
• Construction: Curved steel rods welded to circular and semi-circular frame
• Upholstery: Cato fabric (exaggerated woven texture) over molded latex foam cushions
• Back Height: 30.25"
• Width (arm to arm): 35.75"
• Seat Height: 17.5"
• Seat Depth: 19.5"

Condition:

Wear to fabric and rust on rods — consistent with age and entirely typical for an original vintage Platner of this era. The wire frame structure is intact and the iconic silhouette is fully preserved. This piece is an excellent restoration candidate: professional rust treatment and reupholstery would return it to showroom quality. Priced to reflect current condition.

Pickup & Shipping: Third-party shipping only — please contact us prior to purchase to arrange. Local pickup also available.