Vladimir Kagan Directional Serpentine Sofa
View Similar Items
Vladimir Kagan Directional Serpentine Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 92 in (233.68 cm)Depth: 42 in (106.68 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:very good original. Age appropriate wear to upholstery.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U12043085321216
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.
- Phenomenal Saporiti Stainless Steel & Mercedes Leather SofaBy SaporitiLocated in Phoenix, AZAll original Saporiti stainless steel and special ordered perforated Mercedes leather 'Wave' sofa by Giovanno Offreddi. This is the nicest example of this sofa that we have ever seen...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Sculptural Sofa in Walnut & Bouclé by Henry Glass, 1960'sBy Henry GlassLocated in Phoenix, AZHenry Glass 1960s 'Intimate Island' walnut and upholstered bouclé sofa. This exquisite piece has been expertly refinished and upholstered in an off-white Turkish bouclé. Red Modern a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
- Herman Miller Compact Sofa by Charles & Ray Eames with Alexander Girard FabricBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Phoenix, AZCharles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller compact sofa, circa early 1970s. This example retains its original 'Checker Split' upholstery by Ale...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Mahogany Side Table by Paul McCobb for DirectionalBy Paul McCobbLocated in Phoenix, AZPaul McCobb for Directional side table circa early 1950s. Newly finished, the juxtapostion of mahogany brass and glass is striking.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
$2,600 / item - T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb Pink Bouclé Slipper ChairsBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Phoenix, AZPair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb slipper chairs with refinished frames. These have been newly upholstered in pink Turkish bouclé. These chairs epitomize graceful lines wi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- Lounge Chairs & Ottoman by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA in BoucléBy GETAMA, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Phoenix, AZTwo Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA wide arm lounge chairs & ottomans in white Turkish bouclé with soft leather accents on the head cushion. Official s...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bouclé, Oak
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa, DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Raleigh, NCExpertly restored with new mohair upholstery on this iconic sofa. A classic designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s. Reupholstered in charcoal fabric. Lucite leg on bottom in the middle. Tagged. A classic of postmodern design.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Los Angeles, CACurved 'model 150BS' sofa by Vladimir Kagan, c.2000s, USA. Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) originally designed this sofa in the 1950s, this piece is from a later production. The sofa feat...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Dallas, TXA large and iconic serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan. This sofa was purchased from Kagan about a decade ago and upholstered in a heathered lig...Category
Vintage 1950s Sofas
MaterialsFabric
$28,000 - Vintage Brass "Serpentine" Sofa After Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in North Hollywood, CAA stunning vintage "Serpentine" sofa after Vladimir Kagan for Directional. The sofa feature two brass bases and a distinctive curved frame that give this piece a delightful sculptura...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Stunning Pair Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Directional Cloud Sofas Mid-CenturyBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJFabulous pair of Vladimir Kagan cloud serpentine sofas made by Directional. These pair retain their original periwinkle blue ultra-suede fabric in nice vintage condition-some wear sp...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite