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Charles Pollock Armchairs

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.

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Creator: Charles Pollock
Executive Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Timeless MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail, aluminum band, c...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

Penelope Chair by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli
By Anonima Castelli, Charles Pollock
Located in Athens, Attiki
Penelope chair designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli. Steel-wire sled base supports a seat permeable to air which consists in a steel...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Metal

8 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
Classic MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 8. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail, alu...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

25 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 25. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

1960s Pair of Charles Pollock for Knoll Sling Arm Lounge Chairs Leather & Chrome
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Pollock Arm Chairs, originally designed by Charles Pollock in 1963. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the United States and date back to the 1960s...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Charles Pollock
Located in Grenoble, FR
Charles Pollock Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Pair of armchairs from the 60s by Charles Pollock in leather and chrome. cracking on the leather of the seat cushio...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Black & Chrome Plated Metal Penelope Armchair by C. Pollock for A. Castelli, 80s
By Charles Pollock, Anonima Castelli
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Chair with chromed metal, plastic structure and metal mesh shell. Very good condition.
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Wire

Pair of Vintage Mid-century Fabric Desk Chairs by Charles Pollock for Comforto
By Charles Pollock, Comforto
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This pair of office armchairs was designed by Charles Pollock for the German manufacturer Comforto during the 70s. The seats are made of durable brown plastic and high-quality olive-...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

10 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 10. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail,...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

4 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 4. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail, al...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

12 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Timeless MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 12. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail, a...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

6 Executive Armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Executive armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll set of 6. Each chair is comprised of a black leather seat and back with button detail, a...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs "657" Charles Pollock Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of 657 chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. C1960 design signed in two places by Knoll. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Some ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Venetian Purple Palazzo Arm Chair by Charles Pollock for William Switzer
By Charles Pollock
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Venetian purple palazzo arm chair by Charles Pollock for William Switzer. Additional information: Materials: Giltwood, silk Color: Purple Brand: William Switzer Designer: Charles...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Louis XV Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Giltwood

Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll, 1963
By Charles Pollock
Located in Catania, IT
1963. Charles Pollock project for Knoll. Charles Pollock challenged himself and created a chair inspired by a single line. An evergreen object that has overcome the challenge of time and continues to be part of the American company's production line, as well as being exhibited in the prestigious collections of the Louvre in Paris and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 'secret' design of the Executive Chair...
Category

1960s Saint Pierre and Miquelon Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of 1979 Charles Pollock for Knoll Burnt Orange Executive Chairs
By George Nelson, Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of vintage 1979 Executive Chairs designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. The chairs come in their original burnt orange upholstery, a perfect mid-century modern color! It is trul...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of 657 Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Stockton, NJ
A pair of early 657 armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. This 1970's pair features chromed steel and wood frames with black leather seat and cushion. O...
Category

1970s American Vintage Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Italian Eames style Swivel Arm Chair Charles Pollock for Comforto Orange Fabric
By Comforto, Charles Pollock
Located in Markington, GB
Italian executive armchair by Charles Pollock for Comforto, stunning orange fabric swivel desk chair, This plastic / metal framed chair is in very good vintage condition, A classic c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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Alky Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
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Modern Steelcase Chrome & Red Swivel Rolling Chair #454 Style Charles Pollock
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Charles Pollock Desk Chair by Knoll in Burnt Orange
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Leather armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll
Leather armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll
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Charles Pollock Armchair for Knoll 1970s
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Located in PARIS, FR
Charles Pollock beige leather vintage office chair, Knoll international 1970s edition. Leather in excellent condition. Some traces of oxidation on the chromed metal base.
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Charles Pollock Armchair for Knoll 1970s
Charles Pollock Armchair for Knoll 1970s
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 27.96 in
Executive Armchair Design Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in taranto, IT
Iconic executive office chair designed in 1962 by charles pollock for knoll. Sturdy and solid structure, weighs just under 20 kilos, upholstered in brown fabric. Very good cond...
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Mid-Century Modern Knoll Pollock Executive Leather Arm Chair
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Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Knoll Pollock executive brown leather armchair. In very good condition. Dimensions: 26.5"W x 27"D x 31.5"H arm height: 25" seat height: 18" seat depth: 18".  
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Pair of Knoll Pollock Executive Leather Armchairs
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Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Charles Pollock by Knoll Executive Plum colored Leather armchairs. In very good condition. Dimensions: 26.5"w x 27"d x 33.25"h Arm Height: 24" Seat Height: 18" Seat Depth: 19".
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Leather

Charles Pollock armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Charles Pollock armchairs 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 armchairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Charles Pollock were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Russell Woodard, George Nelson, and Norman Cherner. Prices for Charles Pollock armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $553 and can go as high as $12,552, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,396.

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