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.
4 x Castelli "PENELOPE" Dining Chairs By Charles Pollock Italy 1980
By Charles Pollock, Anonima Castelli
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Introducing a captivating set of four vintage Penelope Chairs by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli, Italy 1980. These iconic chairs exude timeless elegance and impeccable craftsma...
Metal, Chrome
Set 4 Charles Pollock Armchairs Designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four executive armchairs design by Charles Pollock for Knoll International. These chairs are signed and dated 1977 with original fabric. All chairs are in good vintage conditi...
Chrome
Dining Room Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll International 1960s
By Charles Pollock
Located in Wien, AT
The design of the Pollock Executive Chair originated in the 1960s and features what the designer described as “Rim Technology” - the use of a single aluminum band around the chair’s...
Metal, Chrome
$4,080 / set
H 18.12 in W 19.69 in D 17.33 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining room chairs for Cassina Italy 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Almelo, NL
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining room chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1960, set of six. Vico Magistretti's "Carimate" dining chairs, designed for Cassina, feature a natural wood frame ...
Straw, Beech
$4,078Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 31.89 in W 18.9 in D 26.78 in
4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Mr10 Dining Chairs 1960s Knoll International
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in London, GB
Complete set of four chrome cantilever MR10 chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in brown leather. This set of chairs is an early 1960s example of his famous design produced by Knoll International. The MR10 chair was first designed in the 1920s, and this set of four features the chrome springs on the backs and seats. Later the design was improved, with a shortening of the springs and a reversion to an elastic corset cord. The chairs still bear the oval sticker marks on the back of the bottom of the seats. MR10 chairs are really comfortable, and are a real design Classic, as seen in many films and other media. Our MR10 chairs recently have been used to decorate the interior of a restaurant in London, which was featured in Architectural Digest, Dezeen, Elle Decoration, and many other publications (as shown in the images, which are property of Child Studio...
Steel, Chrome
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...
Metal
$442 / item
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 20.48 in
Giancarlo Piretti Lucite Pink Folding "Plia" Italian Chair for Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Original and signed "Plia" pink lucite folding chair. NOS (new old Stock) This fantastic set was designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1967. PLIA, the symbol of a new era fo...
Aluminum, Chrome
$1,800 / item
H 33 in W 27 in D 27 in
Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock/Knoll Executive Chairs, Black Leather, USA
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Pollock Executive Arm Chair for Knoll. Designed in 1963 by Charles Pollock, this chair has become one of Knoll’s most recognizable and enduring ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Black Leather Knoll Desk Chair designed by Charles Pollock
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic black leather desk chair by Charles Pollock and manufactured by Knoll. Executed in black leather and steel base. No tears or missing buttons or screws. Leather in good condit...
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Dining Chair in Plywood
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, dining chair, coated iron, plywood, velvet, United States / Belgium, design 1948, production 1960s Organic shaped chair designed by Eero Saari...
Iron
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 21 in D 20.5 in
Set of 6 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black Wire Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six wire dining chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, represents one of the most iconic and enduring designs of mid-century modern furniture. Introduced in the ear...
Metal
Knoll Pollock Executive Chair in Brown Leather
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic mid-century office chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. The frame is heavy and sturdy and features black plastic with polished metal. The seat is upholstered in brown...
Metal
$3,529 / set
H 32.09 in W 20.48 in D 16.93 in
Four Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs by Kurt Østervig for Sibast, 1960s
By Kurt Østervig, Sibast
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant set of four Mid-Century Modern dining room chairs. Design by Kurt Østervig for Sibast. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid teak frames and the seats are...
Leather, Teak
$1,400 / set
H 33.25 in W 26.25 in D 28.25 in
Charles Pollock for Knoll International Model 1258 Swivel Tilt Desk Chairs, 1965
By Knoll, Charles Cecil Pollock, Charles Pollock
Located in Chicago, IL
Charles Pollock for Knoll International Model 1258 Swivel Tilt Desk Chairs, 1965 Iconic executive chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll International, model 1258. A hallmark of...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.89 in W 26.38 in D 24.41 in
Set of 6 Castelli Penelope dining/conference chairs by Charles Pollock
By Anonima Castelli, Charles Pollock
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The set of 6 Penelope chairs is in excellent condition. The chrome-plated metal frames, as well as the black metal nets on the seat and back surfaces, show hardly any signs of wear. ...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Set of 5 Charles Pollock Penelope Chairs for Castelli
By Charles Pollock, Castelli
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 5 contemporary Charles Pollock Penelope Chairs for Castelli. This is a set of iconic contemporary dining chairs. These wonderful chairs feature an all metal construction, ch...
Metal
Sold
H 32 in W 26 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll in Black Leather
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located 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...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 25.2 in
Penelope Dining Chair by Charles Pollock for Castelli, 1980s, Set of 4
By Anonima Castelli, Charles Pollock
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 model Penelope stackable chairs designed by Charles Pollock for anonima Castelli in 1982. The chairs consist of a chromed steel frame with a nicely designed mesh metal se...
Metal, Chrome
Penelope Dining Chair by Charles Pollock for Castelli, 1980s
By Castelli, Charles Pollock
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 5 model Penelope stackable chairs designed by Charles Pollock for anonima Castelli in 1982. The chairs consist of a chromed steel frame with a nicely designed mesh metal se...
Chrome
Midcentury Charles Pollock Executive Chairs for Knoll in Black
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these Charles Pollock chairs for Knoll. Featuring a chrome frame with black leather variation. Pollock chairs are icons of Mid-Century Modern design. Po...
Chrome
Set of Four Charles Pollock for Knoll Leather Executive Desk Chairs
By Charles Pollock
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous set of four Knoll leather executive desk office armchairs designed by Charles Pollock in 1963. The chairs feature a tufted, smooth supple leather upholstery in a rare sienna...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll in Black
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
One chair left. For your consideration are these Charles Pollock chairs for Knoll. Featuring a full black on black and black Leather variation. With the hundreds of Pollock chairs ...
Leather
Mid-Century Charles Pollock Executive Chairs for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is Charles Pollock for Knoll office chairs in Dark Coffee Bean Leather. Pollock chairs are icons of Mid-Century modern design. Pollock revolutionized office se...
Chrome
Set of Charles Pollock Penelope Chairs for Castelli, Italy
By Cassina, Charles Pollock
Located in Voorburg, NL
Set of five Penelope chairs designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock for Castelli. The chair has a chromed frame and a seat made from black perforated metal....
Chrome, Steel
Penelope Chairs by Charles Pollock
By Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Light, stackable and comfortable. Chrome-plated steel rod frames bend and curve in nicely contrasting circular and triangular forms. Contoured mesh seat and back. Additional measu...
Chrome, Steel