Charles Pollock 657 arm chairs Knoll International USA 1960

Iconic 657 armchair designed by Charles Pollock and manufactured by Knoll International in the USA, 1960. This chair was produced from 1964 to 1979. Florence Knoll praised its blend of comfort, functionality, and style. Its chrome steel tubular frame contrasts with the leather sling seat, which is carefully shaped and has a newly upholstered black leather seat pad for extra comfort. Pollock’s design philosophy focuses on the elegant use of a simple bent line and clean structure. This version is rare due to its original natural leather. This colour of the leather against the black arms and structure is a beautiful contrast and together with the chrome its a masterpiece of the sixties. Pollock once said; “It starts as a thought, and then becomes an idea, something I might think about for years. When the time is right, I express it on paper, usually as a simple line in space. Finally, it takes shape.”

Kindly note that the price is for the pair.

Charles Pollock, born in 1930, began his design journey in Detroit and earned a scholarship to Pratt Institute in New York. Impressing industrial designer George Nelson, he later worked for Donald Deskey and perfected the art of swaging. His Swag Leg Collection for Herman Miller in 1958 gained acclaim. Florence Knoll noticed Pollock’s talent, leading to the creation of his first product for Knoll, the 657 Sling Chair in 1960. Over the next five years, Pollock developed the groundbreaking Pollock Chair, featuring patented rim technology and simple assembly. Released in 1965, it became an iconic symbol of the modern workplace and remains a best-seller for Knoll. After Florence Knoll’s retirement in 1965, Pollock turned to Europe, where he continued his design career and introduced the innovative Penelope Chair for Castelli in 1982, showcasing his ongoing commitment to design excellence.