80s Charles Pollock ‘Penelope’ Chairs for Castelli Set/6
View Similar Items
80s Charles Pollock ‘Penelope’ Chairs for Castelli Set/6
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer),Castelli (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 24.41 in (62 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amstelveen, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 12130422ZST1stDibs: LU2600128627492
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.
- 4 x Castelli "PENELOPE" Dining Chairs By Charles Pollock Italy 1980By Anonima Castelli, Charles PollockLocated in DE MEERN, NLIntroducing 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...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Penelope Chair by Charles Pollock for Anonima CastelliBy Anonima Castelli, Charles PollockLocated in Athens, AttikiPenelope 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
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Black & Chrome Plated Metal Penelope Armchair by C. Pollock for A. Castelli, 80sBy Anonima Castelli, Charles PollockLocated in Varese, LombardiaChair with chromed metal, plastic structure and metal mesh shell. Very good condition.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome, Wire
- Penelope Chair by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli, Italy, 1982By Anonima Castelli, Charles PollockLocated in Almelo, NLThis Penelope armchair was designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock and produced by Castelli in Italy. The frame of this chair is made of chrome-plated steel wire. Pollock chose fine black coated wire mesh as the material for the seat shell. About the designer: Charles Pollock Industrial designer Charles Pollock was born in 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen, he began working at the Chrysler Corporation, creating visual aids and gaining production experience. Pollock received a full scholarship to study industrial design at the School of Art & Design at Pratt Institute in New York. Pollock opened his own studio in 1960, and soon after Florence Knoll (b. 1917) of the eponymous manufacturing company took an interest in his designs. With the financial support of Knoll, Pollock became heavily involved in product development. About the Manufacturer Castelli / Anonima Castelli Italian design company Castelli began dates from 1877 when Ettore Castelli founded a small workshop in Bologna. In 1939, the firm was renamed Anonima Castelli and began producing modern office furniture...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set 4 Charles Pollock Armchairs Designed by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYSet 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...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll in Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated 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
$900 Sale Price25% Off