Set of Six Charles Pollock Chairs for Knoll International
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.89 in (81 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)Seat Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Köln, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7587231003642
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bornheim, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Knoll International Armchairs Model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa Leather Dark BrownBy Knoll, Tobia ScarpaLocated in Köln, NRWKnoll International armchairs model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather dark brown A classic and chic pair of armchairs from the Bastiano series, des...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Knoll International Armchairs Model 'Bastiano' by Tobia Scarpa in Leather CognacBy Knoll, Tobia ScarpaLocated in Köln, NRWKnoll International armchairs model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather cognac. Classic and chic tarmchairs from the Bastiano series, designed by the iconic Italian designer duo Afra & ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Oval dining table by Florence Knoll for Knoll InternationalBy Florence KnollLocated in Köln, NRWFlorence Knoll oval desk/dining table for Knoll International, 1970s. Frame chrome-plated steel, top oval walnut, WHT 200 cm x 71.5 cm x 120 cm.Category
Vintage 1960s German Tables
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Knoll International Chair by Florence Knoll Model 67 C in LinenBy Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in Köln, NRWFlorence Knoll designed sofas, armchairs, tables and sideboards in a minimalist style in the Bauhaus tradition. An example of this is the armchair model 67 C. The frame made of ch...Category
Mid-20th Century German Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Knoll International Executive Desk S 872 Florence KnollBy Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in Köln, NRWWriting desk by Florence Knoll model 872 Steel frame chromed, top wood lacquered white with two drawers. Florence Marguerite Knoll Basset was one of the most renowned US design...Category
Mid-20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Set of six chairs Kazuhide Takahama model 'Jano' for Simon Gavina 1968By Kazuhide TakahamaLocated in Köln, NRWA set of sixchairs model 'Jano' designed by Kazuhide Takahama, produced by Simon Gavina in cogac leather. The chairs are in a beautiful vintage condition with slight signs of use-the...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 12 Executive "Pollock" Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll, USA, 1963By Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Hellouw, NLThese 12 executive chairs are a true classic hailing from the illustrious stable of manufacturer Knoll, designed in 1963 by the American designer Charles Pollock. An absolute master ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll, 1963By Charles PollockLocated in Catania, IT1963. 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
Vintage 1960s Saint Pierre and Miquelon Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Charles PollockLocated in Grenoble, FRCharles 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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- 1 (of 2) 657 leather sling Chairs designed by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergOne of two 1960ies Knoll International 657 Sling Leather Chairs. Price per chair, two chairs available. Designed by Charles Pollock, manufactured...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome, Aluminum
- Pair of 657 Armchair by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Stockton, NJA 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
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Set 4 Charles Pollock Armchairs Designed by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated 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