Pair of Charles Pollock Executive Chairs in Leather for Knoll International
View Similar Items
Pair of Charles Pollock Executive Chairs in Leather for Knoll International
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Pollock (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1969
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bridgeport, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2373311981021
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.
- A Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs in Bent Maple and Black Leather SeatBy Fredericia StolefabrikLocated in Bridgeport, CTA pair of very cool lounge chairs model Rex, designed by Christina Strand and made by famed Danish furniture maker, Fredericia Mobler. The chair model was designed in 2002 and made a...Category
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Conference Chairs in Steel and Red Wool by Chrome CraftBy Chrome CraftLocated in Bridgeport, CTSuper cool and equally comfortable pair of conference or desk chairs from Chrome Craft probably late 1970s. Came out of the offices of J. Walter Thompson ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- A Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs with Cocktail Table all in Maple (DONE)By Fredericia StolefabrikLocated in Bridgeport, CTA pair of very cool lounge chairs model Rex with round coffee table all designed by Christina Strand and made by famed Danish furniture maker, Fredericia Mobler. The chair model was ...Category
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Danish High Back Swivel Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Cognac Leather, 1970'sBy Madsen & Schubell, Arne VodderLocated in Bridgeport, CTFabulous modern and luxurious swivel chair in supple cognac colored leather on a chrome-plated aluminium swivel base with faux rosewood accents. Beautiful example of Danish modern at...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Danish Easy chair with Beech Frame Reupholstered in a Light Brown Leather, 1950sBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in Bridgeport, CTEasy chair with beech frame made by J. Carlsens Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 1950's. Often compared to famed designs from Madsen and Schubell as very similar high quality craftmansh...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Model ML91 Swivel Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen, 1960sBy A. Mikael Laursen, Illum WikkelsøLocated in Bridgeport, CTRare Illum Wikkelso designed swivel model ML91 lounge chair produced by A. Mikael Laursen circa 1960 in Denmark. This is rare variant of the ML91 with an aluminum swivel base where t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- 1974 Charles Pollock Executive Chair for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated 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
$1,650 / item - Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Executive Chair for Knoll in Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in BROOKLYN, NY(1) Charles Pollock chair for Knoll featuring a chrome frame with black leather Upholstery. Pollock chairs are icons of Mid-Century Modern design. Pollock revolutionized office seating with the introduction of this chair in the 1960s. The chair has proven so popular that it is still manufactured by Knoll to this day. This chair is from the Mid 1990s. No missing buttons and the leather is soft and supple. Has height adjustment (manual). 5 Star base...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$900 Sale Price25% Off - 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
- Charles Pollock Executive Chair in Black LeatherBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in black blue leather. This executive desk chair has a swivel base with manual adjustable height. Base with all wheels in working co...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome