Vintage Pollack Desk Chair by Knoll International
View Similar Items
Vintage Pollack Desk Chair by Knoll International
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Frame and wheeled base in very good original condition. Black upholstery in good condition; some wear to leather.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: CP21stDibs: U0902117887919
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.
- Milo Baughman Chrome Armchair in Original Tan SuedeBy Milo BaughmanLocated in New York, NYChrome armchair by Milo Baughman. Features original beige suede upholstery. USA, circa 1980. Unsigned. Dimensions: 27.5” H x 15.5” Seat H x 28.5” L x 26.25” D.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in New York, NYSlipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
$3,400 Sale Price22% Off - Tulip Round Coffee Table by Saarinen for KnollBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in New York, NYTulip coffee table by Saarinen for Knoll. USA, cira 1960 to 1970. Signed with early Knoll red/white label. Features a 36 inch round top in matte white laminate with matte white...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
$2,500 Sale Price30% Off - Milo Baughman Scoop Dining Chairs in COMBy Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in New York, NY"Scoop" dining chairs in COM designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Model #1228. USA, circa 1970. Up to six (6) available; priced individually and includes custom reupholstery ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Minimalist Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$1,400 / item - Florence Knoll Brown Sofa ~ Model 2577By Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in New York, NYFlorence Knoll three seat sofa by Knoll Associates. Model 2577. Original Naugahyde brown upholstery with chrome-plated steel base. Unsigned. USA, circa 1960-1970. Dimensions:...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Pair of Custom Made Mid Century Iron and Leather Campeche ChairsLocated in New York, NYBeautiful pair of custom handmade iron and leather chairs. Well sized and beautifully comfortable. The leather has a most beautiful patina. These are very comfortable and stylish.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
- 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
- Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll InternationalBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Brussels, BEDiamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available Sold par piece 1250€.Category
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll InternationalBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Brussels, BEDiamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available Sold par piece 1200€.Category
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll InternationalBy Harry Bertoia, KnollLocated in Brussels, BEDiamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available Sold par piece 1200€.Category
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage Mies van der Rohe Armchair Barcelona by Knoll International, 1980'sBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Vilnius, LTVintage Barcelona Chair designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1920-1949. The base is in chrome metal and black leather upholstery. Labeled on the base: Knoll, Knoll International,...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- 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