Knoll Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs in Black Leather
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Charles Pollock (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1984
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall in very good condition. A few cracks in the leather that aren't too noticeable , and a few scattered light scuff marks. Both chairs are in equal condition are were gently used.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7362234361172
Charles Pollock
Charles Pollock was a renowned but reclusive furniture designer. He rarely spoke to the media and instead preferred to let his iconic designs speak for themselves. Pollock’s name is ubiquitous with mid-century modern office furniture — while vintage furniture obsessives know the office chairs he made for Knoll, he designed armchairs and lounge chairs for domestic interiors as well.
Pollock was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1930. When his family moved to Michigan, he attended Detroit's Cass Technical High School, whose alumni includes artist-designer Harry Bertoia. For his extraordinary work at Cass, Pollock earned a full scholarship to Pratt Institute in New York City.
Industrial designer Lucia DeRespinis had been a classmate of Pollock’s at Pratt and got a job in architect George Nelson’s studio after graduation. Nelson, the design director at legendary mid-century furniture manufacturer Herman Miller, was always looking for new design talent. DeRespinis was struck by Pollock’s sculptures at Pratt and recommended Nelson hire him. Pollock, who had been working for Donald Deskey’s firm, took a job with Nelson and helped create the Swag Leg armchair (a full Swag Leg collection debuted at Herman Miller in the late 1950s). Soon afteward, Pollock opened his own studio and shared his portfolio with pioneering designer Florence Knoll at the modernist behemoth she cofounded with her husband Hans.
Pollock’s 657 Sling chair for Knoll debuted in 1960 and earned him a substantial contract with the brand. This paved the way for his most famous design: the Executive chair. Introduced in 1963, the Executive chair became one of the best-selling and most recognizable office chairs in history. Pollock devoted five years to perfecting the seat, and his patented rim technology allowed for simple assembly, which contributed to its success and popularity.
Pollock later returned to sculpting and explored other pursuits but never stopped designing furniture. In 1982, he created the Penelope chair for the Italian furniture maker Castelli. At 82 years of age, Pollock was commissioned by American manufacturer Bernhardt Design to create the CP Lounge chair, which was launched at the London Design Festival 2012. Pollock died a short while later, in 2013, but his seating is still produced by Bernhardt Design today.
Pollock received much acclaim throughout his career. He earned several awards, including the prestigious Red Dot Design Award and Pratt Institute's Rowena Reed Kostellow Award for outstanding work in industrial design. His Executive chair has been exhibited at museums around the world, including the Louvre Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Charles Pollock seating and other furniture today.
Knoll
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Knoll Eero Saarinen Executive Chair, Armchair black upholsteryBy Eero SaarinenLocated in Chicago, ILThis for (1) Saarinen Executive Chair, armchair version. Knoll, Circa 1985. Black upholstery, chrome legs. Priced individually. (4) available. Originally designed in 1946, these h...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Frank Gehry Power Play Chair for Knoll, Black LacqueredBy Frank Gehry, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILFrank Gehry Power Play chair. Hard maple, black finish. Frame constructed of hard white maple veneer strips. The underside of both piece...Category
1990s Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Pair of Frank Gehry Power Play Chairs for Knoll, Black LacqueredBy Frank Gehry, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Frank Gehry Power Play chairs. Hard maple, black finish. Frame constructed of hard white maple veneer strips. The underside of both...Category
1990s Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Four Mies van der Rohe Knoll BRNO tubular armchairs in teal leatherBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILSet of Four Mies van der Rohe for Knoll BRNO tubular chairs In teal leather. The elegant Brno Tubular Chair (designed in 1930) has a chromed tubula...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Dining R...
MaterialsLeather
- Shelton Mindel Chairs for Knoll, 2006By KnollLocated in Chicago, ILShelton Mindel chairs for Knoll, 2006. 2 Available Lacquered wood, mohair. Knoll plaque and paper label on underside. Condition: very good to excellent. Measures: 22”W...Category
Early 2000s Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Bentwood
- Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chairs by Mies van der Rohe, Black LeatherBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Chicago, ILKnoll Barcelona Chairs, set of 2. Designed by Mies van der Rohe, originally in 1929. Black leather. Knoll manufacturer tags are dated 1987 on bottom of seat cushions. One of the ...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 10 Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 10 vintage Charles Pollock executive desk chair for Knoll. The ultimate ergonomic, office desk chair designed by this George Nelson apprentice, Charles Pollock. Sold separately.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Charles Pollock Executive Chair in Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in black blue leather. This executive desk chair has a swivel base with manual adjustable height. Base with all wheels in working co...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chair in Brown LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in medium brown. This executive desk chair has a tilt and swivel base with adjustable height. Swivel base with all wheels in working condition. Leather has been dyed brown and is in good used condition with plastic molded...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair by KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic Charles Pollock desk chair by Knoll. circa 1970s production executed in black leather. All screws, buttons, and wheels intact. No torn leather. Signed and guaranteed authenti...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage leather desk for office chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll. In good vintage condition. All wheels work as does swivel base. Height adjusta...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll in Black LeatherBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in BROOKLYN, NY(1) Charles Pollock chair for Knoll featuring a chrome frame with black leather Upholstery. Pollock chairs are icons of Mid-Century Modern design. Pollock revolutionized office seating with the introduction of this chair in the 1960s. The chair has proven so popular that it is still manufactured by Knoll to this day. This chair is from the Mid 1990s. No missing buttons and the leather is soft and supple. Has height adjustment (manual). 5 Star base...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome