Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll
View Similar Items
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Charles Pollock (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 27.25 in (69.22 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Nice original patina and wear through out each chair.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92204827253
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.
- Edward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960By Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEdward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960. This pair has been expertly restored in New Old Stock Orinoka Mills Fabric originally specified by Dunbar. Each...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Lou Hodges Oak & Leather Lounge Chairs for California Design Group, 1970'sBy Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CALou Hodges Oak & Green Leather Lounge Chairs for California Design Group, 1970's. This pair has been expertly restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Costa Mesa, CAHans Wegner AP-19 papa bear chair for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952. This piece has been expertly restored in Kravet Couture tan & gray wool upholstery. A.P. Stolen Makers stamp t...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak
- Richard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, c.1965By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company, Richard BarrLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, United States, c.1965. Beautiful torch cut and welded brutalist form. Measures: - 13" Deep - 14" Wide -...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Copper, Steel
- Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960By Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry for ERA Industries USA, 1962By Era Industries, Evelyn AckermanLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEvelyn Ackerman Tapestry for ERA Industries USA, 1962. Signed EA.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tapestries
MaterialsWool
- Executive Chair by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in BROOKLYN, NYCharles Pollock for Knoll office desk chair featuring brown leather upholstery. When you think of the perfect Pollock chair this one probably comes to mind. This executive office cha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs "657" Charles Pollock KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous pair of 657 chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. C1960 design signed in two places by Knoll. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Some ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Early Charles Pollock 657 Leather Sling Lounge Chair by KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Buffalo, NYA nice early example the Rare model 657 leather sling lounge chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, circa 1960. The leather has wonderful rick dark brown patina and is in good Vintage ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Pair of 1960s Charles Pollock "657" Lounge Chairs in Leather + ChromeBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: USA Designer: Charles Pollock Manufacturer: Knoll Era: 1960s Dimensions: 24.5″ wide x 26″ deep x 28″ tall Seat: 17.5″ tall Condition: In great original condition with typica...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- '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
$960 Sale Price46% Off