Set of 4 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Steelcase “Pollock” Swivel Chairs

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This is an exceptional matching set of four vintage Steelcase Model 451 swivel chairs, manufactured in 1978. Inspired by the … Read more This is an exceptional matching set of four vintage Steelcase Model 451 swivel chairs, manufactured in 1978. Inspired by the iconic Charles Pollock chair design originally created for Knoll, Steelcase produced its own interpretation that has since become highly regarded for its quality, durability, and timeless mid-century modern styling. Steelcase has long been recognized as one of the premier names in commercial furniture, and these chairs are an excellent example of why their products have remained desirable for decades.

I originally purchased these chairs with the intention of reupholstering them. However, after seeing them in person, I quickly realized they were simply too original and too well-preserved to alter.

Anyone familiar with these chairs knows that most surviving examples have lived long lives in offices and institutions. It is common to find torn or stained upholstery, missing buttons or hardware, damaged foam, rust, broken components, or mismatched replacement parts. Finding a single chair in excellent original condition is uncommon. Finding four matching chairs in this condition is genuinely rare.

What makes this set particularly special is its originality. The upholstery is completely original and remains in outstanding condition with no tears, worn areas, or other defects. The original tufting is intact, the original hardware is present, and the chrome bases remain in excellent condition. These chairs have clearly been exceptionally well cared for throughout their lives.

The manufacturer’s labels identify these chairs as being produced in 1978, making them nearly 50 years old. Despite their age, they have retained an impressive level of originality that is difficult to find today.

Beyond their appearance, these are also incredibly comfortable chairs. Each chair swivels smoothly, features a reclining/tilt function, and includes Steelcase’s original height adjustment mechanism, which operates by rotating the seat.

Another feature that makes this set unique is the configuration. Most Steelcase 451 chairs found today are the standard low-back version. This set includes two low-back chairs and two matching high-back chairs, creating a complete and highly desirable matching set. The high-back versions are considerably harder to find, and it is uncommon to see them paired with matching low-back models in original condition.

The only notable cosmetic imperfections are light scratches on the backs of the chair shells. The low-back chairs show very minimal wear, while the high-back chairs have slightly more noticeable surface scratching. This type of wear is typical for these chairs after nearly five decades of use and is considerably less than what is normally seen on comparable examples.

Overall, this is an exceptionally original set that has never been reupholstered, refinished, or modified. From the fabric and hardware to the mechanisms and labels, virtually everything remains exactly as it left the factory.

Please note:
1) The background removal tool used for some of the listing photos accidentally removed portions of the chrome chair bases. The chrome bases are complete and are actually in excellent original condition—the missing sections in the photos are only a result of the image editing.

2) The dimensions listed reflect the sizes of the two low-back models. The high-back models have a height of 38 inches, a depth of 25 inches, and a width of 25 inches. See less