1 OF 2 VINTAGE UNIQUE CHARLES POLLOCK KNOLL RESTORED BROWN LEATHER OFFICE CHAiRS

About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer),Knoll (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.49 in (82.5 cm)Width: 26.38 in (67 cm)Depth: 28.15 in (71.5 cm)Seat Height: 19.49 in (49.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th century
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2823335974652
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- VINTAGE RESTORED GAINSBOROUGH HAND DYED WHISKY BROWN LEATHER OFFICE DESK CHAiRLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England circa 1950's fully restored Whisky brown leather Gainsborough carver desk a...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- ANTiQUE RESTORED GAINSBOROUGH HAND DYED WHISKY BROWN LEATHER OFFICE DESK CHAIRLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England circa 1900 fully restored Whisky brown leather Gainsborough carver desk arm...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Popular Restored Chesterfield Vintage Brown Leather Directors Captains ChairLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this lovely restored vintage Chesterfield fully buttoned aged brown leather captains chair This piece was fully restored around a year ago, it ha...Category
Vintage 1930s English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- HAND DYED VINTAGE AGED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD CAPTAINS SWIVEL OFFICE CHAIrLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made in England, aged brown hand dyed leather Chesterfield captains office chair Please...Category
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Restored Vintage Hardwood Brown Leather Chesterfield Captains Directors ArmchairBy ChesterfieldLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, lightly restored original leather hide, vintage hand dyed Mahogany brown leather Chesterfield tufted director’s chair. A very good looking well made and comfortable director’s chair. Its chesterfield buttoned both back and base, the seat platform is a traditional sprung base so very comfortable, this is the bosses chair...Category
20th Century English Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- George Smith Buttoned Side Occasional Office Desk Chair Brown LeatherBy George SmithLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning RRP £4,170 George Smith buttoned Gainsborough side chair in brown leather with mahogany frame This is a very well made...Category
20th Century English Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Knoll Office Desk Chair designed by Charles PollockBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic Charles Pollock office desk chair manufactured by Knoll. Iconic lines and features but executed in a cool grey textile that is less common than black or brown. Featuring tilt...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair by KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic Charles Pollock desk chair by Knoll. circa 1970s production executed in black leather. All screws, buttons, and wheels intact. No torn leather. Signed and guaranteed authenti...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage leather desk for office chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll. In good vintage condition. All wheels work as does swivel base. Height adjusta...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- 5 Knoll Swivel Tilt Office Chairs Designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll c 1960'sBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in New York, NYChic set of five Charles Pollock design for Knoll swivel tilt desk, or office chairs. The chairs feature supple black leather seats and backs, with black plastic arms, and shell, on ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Knoll Black Leather Pollock Executive Office Chair, 1960'sBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in London, GBOriginally designed by Charles Pollock in 1963, the Pollock executive chair has since become an iconic piece of mid century design and is still produced by Knoll today. Constructed ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage Charles Pollock For Knoll Arm Executive ChairBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous vintage original red orange Pollock desk chair / executive chair designed by Charles Pollack for Knoll. This is original orange red fabric in almost pristine original condit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome