Vintage Charles Pollock For Knoll Arm Executive Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Charles Pollock (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition. Fabric is almost pristine. Minor scuffs on frame. See photos.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7298236344922
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Milo Baughman Chrome Dining Arm Chairs for Thayer Coggin - Set of 4By Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 4 vintage 1960s chrome dining arm chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Newer boucle fabric. Can be used for dining or also as side chairs in living room or office. Pri...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Arne Norell 'Ilona' Lounge Chairs for Norrell Mobel AB, SwedenBy Arne NorellLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of stunning leather and rosewood 'Ilona' lounge chairs by Arne Norell, circa 1971. Leather, rosewood, fabric, brass. Manufactured by Norrel Mobel AB, Sweden. Classic Arne Nore...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Base Swivel Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Los Angeles, CAAll original magnificent mid-century Adrian Pearsall swivel lounge chair with in blue velvet. The chairs features a swivel rocker ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Plycraft Lounge Chair & Ottoman in LeatherBy Selig, PlycraftLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage 1960s Plycraft lounge chair & ottoman. Featuring molded rosewood wood frame, bentwood arms and supple black leather. It swivels and reclines. Very very comfortable. What an...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Mid-Century Thomas Hayes Swivel ChairLocated in Los Angeles, CAStunning Thomas Hayes Studio custom designed swivel side chair upholstered in shearling on seat & back. Gorgeous black solid wood frame with brass ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Arthur Umanoff Iron Bar for RaymorBy Raymor, Arthur UmanoffLocated in Los Angeles, CARare mid century modern cocktail bar by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor. Circa 1950s. Classic fifties design featuring vintage wood slat, rafia and wrought iron. Features white top with m...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsIron
- 1974 Charles Pollock Executive Chair for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Houston, TXTwo incredible Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chairs in a rare cranberry-red mohair, labeled and dated 1974. These are midcentury modern classics, super comfortable and in stell...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- 10 Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 10 vintage Charles Pollock executive desk chair for Knoll. The ultimate ergonomic, office desk chair designed by this George Nelson apprentice, Charles Pollock. Sold separately.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Set of 12 Executive "Pollock" Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll, USA, 1963By Knoll, Charles PollockLocated 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
- Knoll Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs in Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Chicago, ILCharles Pollock Executive chairs for Knoll, in Black leather. Labels attached to underside. Manufacturer date : 1984 One available. Condition: Overall in very good condition. A f...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Charles Pollock Leather Desk Chair for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated 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