Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, Pair
View Similar Items
Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, Pair
About the Item
- Creator:Directional (Manufacturer),Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:Newly re-upholstered.
- Seller Location:Pasadena, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU82581063342
Vladimir Kagan
The pioneers of modern furniture design in America in the mid-20th century all had their moments of flamboyance: Charles and Ray Eames produced the startling, biomorphic La Chaise; George Nelson’s firm created the Marshmallow sofa; Edward Wormley had his decadent Listen to Me chaise. But no designer of the day steadily offered works with more verve and dynamism than Vladimir Kagan. While others, it seems, designed with suburban households in mind, Kagan aimed to suit the tastes of young, sophisticated city-dwellers. With signature designs that feature sleekly curved frames and others that have dramatic out-thrust legs, Kagan made furniture sexy.
Kagan’s father was a Russian master cabinetmaker who took his family first to Germany (where Vladimir was born) and then to New York in 1938. After studying architecture at Columbia University, Kagan opened a design firm at age 22 and immediately made a splash with his long, low and sinuous Serpentine sofa. Furniture lines such as the Tri-symmetric group of glass-topped, three-legged tables and the vivacious Contours chairs soon followed.
Kagan’s choices of form and materials evolved through subsequent decades, embracing lucite, aluminum and burl-wood veneers. By the late 1960s, Kagan was designing austere, asymmetrical cabinets and his Omnibus group of modular sofas and chairs. For all his aesthetic élan, Kagan said that throughout his career, his touchstone was comfort. “A lot of modern furniture was not comfortable. And so comfort is: form follows function. The function was to make it comfortable,” he once commented. “I created what I called vessels for the human body.”
A diverse group of bodies have made themselves at home with Kagan designs. Among the famous names who commissioned and collected his designs are Marilyn Monroe, Gary Cooper, Andy Warhol, David Lynch, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and firms such as Gucci and Giorgio Armani. His work is in numerous museum collections, including those of the Victoria & Albert and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Because of its idiosyncrasy, Kagan’s work did not lend itself to mass-production. Kagan never signed on with any of the major furniture-making corporations, and examples of his designs are relatively rare. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, even decades after their conception, Kagan pieces still command the eye, with their freshness, energy, sensuality and wit.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Bamboo Lounge Chair with Ottoman and WingbacksLocated in Pasadena, CAThe bamboo lounge chair with ottoman and wingbacks is meticulously crafted from bamboo and cane, combining timeless sophistication with a modern twist. The chair's frame is made fro...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
- "Torso" Purple Lounge Chair by Paolo Deganello for CassinaBy Paolo DeganelloLocated in Pasadena, CAEstablished in 1927 by Cesare and Umberto Cassina in Meda, Italy, Cassina launched industrial design in Italy in the 1950s, based on an innovative approach that marked the transition...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsMetal
$3,100 Sale Price20% Off - Biedermeier for Baker Set of 6 Dining ChairsBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Pasadena, CAThe high-end Baker manufacturer was inspired by this so refined Biedermeier style and made these chairs with the same attention. Biedermeier itself was inspired by the Directoire Fr...Category
Antique 1830s American Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBirdseye Maple, Upholstery
- Lucite Back and White Lacquer Pair of ChairsBy Brickfield Furniture CompanyLocated in Pasadena, CAUnique pair 1980's high back dining chairs by the Brickfield Furniture Company, High Point N.C., 1972. Finished in white lacquered wood frames, beveled Lucite backs, and new black an...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite, Wood
- Departure for Fishing, Watercolor by Ed SotelloLocated in Pasadena, CAWatercolor signed and dated 1965. Walnut frame. Ed Sotello is a graduate of Claremont Graduate University where he earned an MA with an emphasis on drawing and painting the human fig...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsWood, Paper
- Chinese Rosewood and White Marble Inlay Corner Chair - a PairLocated in Pasadena, CAThese Chinese Rosewood and White Marble Inlay Corner Chairs are a beautiful representation of Oriental design and craftsmanship. With their intricat...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Chairs
MaterialsMarble
- Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Reupholstered in nubby chenille from Fishman's Fabrics. Tagged Directional. Original example desig...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsChenille
- Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Ivory Bouclé Swivel Chairs & Ottoman for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Saint Louis, MOPost modern pair of Vladimir Kagan tilt and swivel chairs for directional with custom en suite ottoman newly reupholstered in soft luxurious ivory white bouclé. Modern. Plush. Sexy. Uber comfy. These are large statement piece swivel chairs. Come to Momma. Take the weight of the world off in uber luxurious modern comfort. Curvy plush over sized arm rests envelop you like a mink stole. Tilt back and take a deep breath or sit side saddle and recline your legs. Swivel about with your best scotch. Super soft ivory bouclé fabric ventilates well - cozy in winter and cool in summer. These Vladimir Kagan swivel lounge chairs are perfect for a Malibu beach...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew Nautilus Swivel Chairs for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Wayne, NJPair of Vladimir Kagan corkscrew swivel chairs for Directional. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
$5,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional Attributed Nautilus Swivel ChairsBy Milo Baughman, Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Houston, TXOutstanding pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional Style Nautilus swivel chairs. This stunning true opposing pair of Kagan Postmodern Nautilus swivel chairs or corkscrew swivel chair...Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Corksrew swivel chairs By DirectionalBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAFor your consideration we are offering these Iconic chairs in the original leather and fabric combination upholstery. These chairs are extremely comfortable and the swivel mechanism...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Wood
- Vladimir Kagan for Directional Swivel Chairs, 1980By Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILVladimir Kagan for directional Swivel lounge chairs, 1980. Original fabric.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Martyn Lawrence Bullard Welcomes You to the Hotel Californian
A Spanish Colonial Revival gem in the heart of Santa Barbara has been reborn as a luxurious new boutique hotel.
Why This L.A. Designer Prefers Soulful Sophistication over Snobbism
Mallery Roberts Morgan practices a singular brand of creative fluidity as a writer and a quietly influential interior designer.