Knoll International Executive Chair Designer Leather Armchair Set Black Genuine
View Similar Items
Knoll International Executive Chair Designer Leather Armchair Set Black Genuine
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Cologne, DE
- Reference Number:Seller: 69631stDibs: LU2706315477272
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.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll InternationalBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Brussels, BESet of 8 “Saarinen Executive” armchairs with tubular legs. Cognac-colored leather cover. This armchair with ample shapes offers excellent comfort. Featured in many interiors, Eero Saarinen’s chair...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Set of 4 Executive Chairs by Eero Saarinen, Knoll International, GermanyBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in München, BavariaDimensions larger model: 73 x 60 x 80 x 46 cm (Width x Depth x Height x Seat Height) Dimensions smaller model: 65 x 65 x 78 x 46 cm (Width x Depth x Height x Seat Height) The Execu...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Executive Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Inc. / Knoll International, 1960sBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Lasne, BEArmchair in yellow fabric. Stamped Knoll. Wear due to time and age of the chair (see photo) Seat height: 47cm.Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 1 Knoll Pollock Executive Swivel Armchair Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Pasadena, TXKnoll Pollock Executive Swivel armchair black leather 1956 Design Charles Pollock’s 1965 executive chair, now considered one of Knoll’s most memorable designs, features a chrome rim that supports the chair both structurally and visually Stainless steel cap over steel armature base on casters or glides. Tufted leather with polyurethane and polyester padding over molded shell...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- 1960s Pollack Executive Chair by Charles Pollack for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Sagaponack, NYA vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- '657' Armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll International, Labeled, c1970sBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Chino Hills, CAWelcome 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome
$1,440 Sale Price20% Off