Charles Pollock Chairs
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
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 Chairs
Materials
Giltwood
'657' Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll International, Labeled, c1970s
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Welcome to the world of timeless elegance with this exquisite mid-century modern 1970s Charles Pollock Armchair, known as the "Sling Chair", Model 657. Immerse yourself in the beauty...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$960 Sale Price
46% Off
Set of Four Charles Pollock Chairs
By Charles Pollock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These hand crafted chairs and hand painted chairs have hand rushed seats and in fine sturdy condition.This set of four chairs are two arm chairs and two regular chairs.
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Wood
$2,495 / set
Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1963
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Charles Pollock Bürostuhl Chefsessel Knoll Intenational Executive Chair
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vintage Bürostuhl von Knoll International aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Charles Pollock und wurde unter dem Namen "Execut...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Charles Pollock, Set of Height Penelope Chairs in Chrome and Meshed Metal
By Charles Pollock
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Charles Pollock, set of height chairs in chrome and meshed metal. Penelope model. Edition Castelli, 1982.
Category
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Charles Pollockk Penelope Stacking or Stack Chairs
By Anonima Castelli, Charles Pollock
Located in Kansas City, MO
Charles Pollock (Pollack) for Castelli sturdy wire mesh and chromed steel stacking chairs with arms. We took each of these chairs apart and replaced the inner screws that break with ...
Category
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Charles Pollock Chairs
Materials
Chrome
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Charles Pollock for Knoll Swivel Tilt Desk Chairs c. 1980's 16 available
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Mid 20th Century Charles Pollack for Knoll Upholstered Executive Office Chair
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Charles Pollack for Knoll Furniture Upholstered Executive rolling and tilting Office Chair. Great functionality and very comfortable.
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H 33 in W 26 in D 27 in
ViNTAGE UNIQUE CHARLES POLLOCK FOR KNOLL BROWN LEATHER OFFICE ARMCHAIR
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Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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Charles Pollock MCM Leather Executive Desk Chair in Cognac Brown for Knoll
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Charles Pollock Mid-Century Modern Leather Executive Desk Chair for Knoll:
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Charles Pollock Desk Chair by Knoll in Burnt Orange
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Modern Steelcase Chrome & Red Swivel Rolling Chair #454 Style Charles Pollock
By Charles Pollock, Steelcase
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage modern Steelcase style #454 office chair with original red fabric, chrome arms, and chrome shaft with swivel & rolling 5 prong chrome base and created in the style of Charles Pollock for Knoll. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There is some slight fading in the fabric, otherwise it is in good shape. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century.
Not sure there is anything cooler than an awesome RED office chair… Unless it’s an awesome RED office chair by STEELCASE!! This gorgeous Steelcase #454 office rolling & swivel chair is made in the style of the Charles Pollock office chair for Knoll. Comprised of a bucket style swivel seat and covered in its ORIGINAL red upholstery, chrome arms with molded fabric armrests, five prong chrome base with casters, and a chrome tube shaft with swivel. Need a cool chair for your home office? Here you go! Maybe you need a new look in your den or study? You just found it. It is so comfortable and very versatile. Not to mention, it’s made by Steelcase AND in the style of Charles Pollock! Two high quality and exceedingly popular designs. It will be awesome in your mid-century modern setting or equally as nice in an industrial loft or modern country ranch home. WONDERFUL!!!
Steelcase was founded as the Metal Office Furniture Company in 1912 by Peter M. Wege in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Metal Office Furniture Company's first products included fireproof metal safes and four-drawer filing cabinets which Wege invented and manufactured for the Macey Company. In 1914, the company received its first product patent for "The Victor," a fireproof steel wastebasket. The Victor gained popularity due to its light weight achieved through a patented process of bending flat steel at right angles to create boxes, and its ability to prevent fires at a time when smoking was common indoors, particularly in the workplace. In 1915, the company began manufacturing and distributing steel desks and in 1937, the company collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright on office furniture. The partnership lasted two years and resulted in some of the first modern workstations. The company officially changed its name to Steelcase, Inc. in 1954 and became known as the leader of the furniture industry in the late 1960s due to the volume of its sales and in 1973, the company debuted the Series 9000 furniture line. Steelcase merged three of its subsidiaries, Brayton International, Metro Furniture...
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Previously Available Items
Executive Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll Black Leather & 4 Prong Base 60s
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Beautiful MCM (Mid-Century Modern) executive chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Black leather with buttons, an aluminum band, a chrome pole, first generation 4-star stainless steel ...
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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...
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Pollock Executive Chair Charles Pollock
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Located in Berlin, BE
Design Chalres Pollock for Knoll manufactured by Knoll International.
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Pair of Charles Pollock for Knoll Arm or Desk Chairs in Brown Leather & Black
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Charles Pollock for Knoll office desk chair featuring brown leather upholstery. This executive office chair is an icon of Mid-Century Modern de...
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Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Charles pollock for Knoll office desk chair featuring brown leather upholstery. This executive office chair is an icon of Mid-Century Modern de...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Chairs
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Charles Pollock chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Charles Pollock chairs 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 chairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Charles Pollock were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by David Rowland, General Fireproofing Company, and Steelcase. Prices for Charles Pollock chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $6,469, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,395.