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Charles Pollock

American, 1930-2013

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.

Average Sold Price
$2,265
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
1973 Knoll Executive Chrome and Tufted Velour Office Chair
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
Two available, sold separately--Original 4 leg base (Sought after!!) brown and chrome Mid Century Vintage Knoll Pollock chair--RARE beauty-- from the era of the height of the creatio...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 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 American Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock

Materials

Leather

Charles Pollock Desk Chair by Knoll in Burnt Orange
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in burnt orange. This leather executive desk chair has swivel base with adjustable height. Base with all wheels in working condition...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock

Materials

Metal

1975 Knoll Executive Pollock Chrome, Tufted Black Leather Office Chair w/Casters
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
Original 4 leg base (Sought after!!) BLACK Leather and chrome Mid Century Vintage Knoll Pollock chair--RARE beauty-- from the era of the height of the creation of both stunningly gre...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

VINTAGE CHARLES POLLOCK / KNOLL Swivel Arm Chair
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
VINTAGE CHARLES POLLOCK / KNOLL Swivel Arm Chair,, retains original Knoll fabric upholstery,, Classic Modernist
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock

Materials

Aluminum

Charles Pollock for Knoll Swivel Tilt Desk Chairs c. 1980's 16 available
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Sharp modern design classic, designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll, circa 1980's. Known as the Executive Chair, this iconic example features a tufted black leather seat and back rest...
Category

Late 20th Century American Space Age Charles Pollock

Materials

Metal

ViNTAGE UNIQUE CHARLES POLLOCK FOR KNOLL BROWN LEATHER OFFICE ARMCHAIR
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original vintage lightly restored Brown leather Charles Pollock Knoll Inc Executive office armch...
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock

Materials

Chrome

Charles Pollock , Sei sedie mod. Penelope, Anonima Castelli, 1982
By Charles Pollock, Anonima Castelli
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set di sei poltrone Penelope. Designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock and manufactured by Castelli in Italy. The frame of this chair is made of chrome-plated steel wire. Pollock chose fi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Charles Pollock

Materials

Metal

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Charles Pollock furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Charles Pollock furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Charles Pollock furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Charles Pollock were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Conant Ball, Russel Wright, and Salterini. Prices for Charles Pollock furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,469 and can go as high as $6,469, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,469.

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