Vladimir Kagan Furniture
American, German, 1927-2016
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.
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Creator: Vladimir Kagan
Dealer: circa20c
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Holly Hunt Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa by Directional. Newly upholstered in a beautiful mohair fabric by Holly Hunt.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Bilboa Sofa in Silk and Leather
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A Post Modern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofa upholstered in silk and leather circa 1990s. Enamored with Bilbao, Spain, the Bilbao chair is a manifestation of Vladimir Kagan's impression...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Couture Swivel Chairs in Holly Hunt Great Outdoors
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Originally designed by Kagan in 1947. This pair has been reupholstered in a Holly Hunt Great Outdoors which is soft and has a slight pile. The upholstery is fully cleanable. The chai...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan Swivel Bilboa Chairs in Silk and Leather
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A Post Modern pair of Vladimir Kagan Bilbao swivel chairs upholstered in silk and leather circa 1990s. Enamored with Bilbao, Spain, the Bilbao chair is a manifestation of Vladimir Ka...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Design Desk and Credenza in Burl and Mahogany with Brass Base
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning handcrafted desk and credenza by Vladimir Kagan. Desk and credenza feature a burl wood top and mahogany surround, both highly polished. Base is wood with a brass finish meta...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vladimir Kagan Design Desk in Burl and Mahogany with Brass Finish Base
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning handcrafted desk by Vladimir Kagan. Desk features a burl wood top and mahogany surround, both highly polished. Base is wood with a brass finish metal overlay. There is a bra...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vladimir Kagan Design Credenza in Burl and Mahogany with Brass Base
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning credenza by Vladimir Kagan Design Studio. Credenza floats on a wood base clad in a brass finished metal. There are three file drawers with hanging fixtures in place. Top i...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506, in Holly Hunt Teddy, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful and comfortable sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss. Sometimes called the Wide Angle sofa or Tangent Sofa. We have a pair and have reuph...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506, in Holly Hunt Teddy, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful and comfortable sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss. Sometimes called the Wide Angle sofa or Tangent Sofa. We have a pair available unde...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Settee in Holly Hunt Great Plains
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Hard to find settee by Vladimir Kagan. Lucite legs, brass fittings and new upholstery by Holly Hunt Great Plains.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vladimir Kagan Omnibus Sofa in Holly Hunt Great Outdoors White Boucle'
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Original Omnibus manufactured by Kagan workroom. Sofa features four parts as follows:
Sofa/chaise -26"H x 61"W x 33"D x16"SH
Sofa/chaise - 26"H x 66.5"W x 55"D x 16"SH
Perch/chaise - 37"H x 72.5"D x 33"W
Large Ottoman inserted...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Ceramic Base Cocktail Table by George Greenamyer for Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by George Greenamyer for Vladimir Kagan. Ceramic base measures 14.5"W x 14.5"D x 15.25"H. Signed.
From Greenamyer's web site:
In 1964 I was one of 5 artists who founded the Pulpit Rock Artists Community in Woodstock, CT, to create studio space for new graduates. I exhibited my ceramic sculpture and I was commissioned to make ceramic furniture by Vladimir Kagan Associates.
My teaching career started in 1968. My welding and foundry background was a key factor in my being offered a full-time position and being told to develop a sculpture department. In 1981 I became a full professor. I had the opportunity in the late 80s to design, with my shop technician, a "state of the art" metalworking and foundry facility. My classes were in welding, blacksmithing, foundry and 3D design. I have also taught workshops at Haystack in Maine, Penland in North Carolina and at other colleges. In 2005, I was designated professor emeritus. I still teach one welding class
In the early 70s, I switched from ceramic to metal sculpture, which I exhibited where ever I could. In 1976, I completed my first major public art commission for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. In 1977, I won an Artists Fellowship Grant from the Massachusetts Arts and Humanities Foundation and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant. In 1979 I was a research fellow at the Center of Advanced Visual Arts at MIT to pursue my interest in kinetics. In the early 80s I had a large solo show at the Lopoukhine Gallery in Boston, the Laumeier Sculpture Museum in St. Louis and the Neil Gallery in New York City, where I was represented for 3 years. My sculpture is in the permanent collection of several Massachusetts museums: the Fuller Art Museum, Brockton; the Art Complex Museum, Duxbury; the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln and on the campus of Boston University and Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
During the mid 80s to early 90s, I did the ice sculpture component of seven ice sculpture/performances in collaboration with other artists at First Night, Boston, and the Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, MO. In 1995, I was one of 18 artists who created a miniature golf hole for Strokes of Genius and in 2007, one of 12 artists that created sites for model trains called Trainscapes, both at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA.
In the mid-80s I made the choice to focus my career efforts on public art commissions obtained through national competitions. Public art commissions allowed me to produce work in a size I could never afford. I liked the challenge of solving the design problems of the site and selecting a narrative that makes sense to the project and the committees. I could incorporate kinetics (sometimes fiber optics) and hired a mechanical and a structural engineer...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Vladimir Kagan Attributed Sofa and Swivel Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a unique design attributed Vladmir Kagan that we believe he did for boutique hotels. The swivel chair butts up to the sofa and can fit two people. The swivel turns 360 degree...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Related Items
Pair of Swiveling "Nautilus" Chairs by Vladimir Kagan in Smoked Platinum
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This pair of Nautilus chairs exemplify the stunning organic Futurist forms and clean lines for which Vladimir Kagan one of the most esteemed furniture designers of the 20th century i...
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Vladimir Kagan Caterpillar Chairs Newly Upholstered in Camel Color Mohair
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Mid-Century Modern Style Desk, Mahogany Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style desk with a three-quarter wooden gallery, a single frieze drawer, and raised on square tapered legs. Finished in our dark mahogany stain.
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Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, these Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were recently professionally reupholstered in cozy Ivory Boucle. Corkscrew shape with sloped back and scrolled arm. The Nautilus chairs swivel making them a good choice for open floor plans - you may align your sight with any person or object in the room simply with a gentle swivel. Matching contoured Ottoman is on casters and seamlessly rolls into place like a puzzle piece inviting you to relax and put your feet up with a good book or a glass of your favorite vino. Fabric is highly durable; it's texture provides for ventilation to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory.
Nautilus Swivel Chairs: 36” W x 33” D x 29” H (Seat Height 17”)
Ottoman: 33” W x 21” D x 17” H
Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop:
Post Modern Karl Springer Style ottoman...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
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H 29 in W 36 in D 33 in
Vladimir Kagan asymmetrical Cloud Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location.
Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa.
Vladimir Kagan serpentine cloud sofa. Original cream colored fabric. Best to recove...
Category
1980s Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Rare Set of 4 Signed Vladimir Kagan Channeled "Clos" Chairs in Holly Hunt Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This rare and stunning set of four "Clos" dining/ game table chairs were realized by Vladimir Kagan- one of the most celebrated designers of the 20th century- in the United States, c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
H 38.25 in W 19.5 in D 26 in
Midcentury Bilboa Curved Sofa in Royal Blue, attributed to Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Staten Island, NY
Postmodern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofa by Preview. The sofa is covered with ultra suede and is very clean. Please check all the photos for the condition.
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Ultrasuede
Biedermeier Desk with Burl and Inlay
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier desk with burl and inlay. Single drawer with key.
Category
19th Century Antique Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew Nautilus Swivel Chairs for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair of Vladimir Kagan corkscrew swivel chairs for Directional. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please...
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1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
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Fabric
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, these Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were recently professionally reupholstered in cozy Ivory...
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Late 20th Century American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
H 29 in W 36 in D 33 in
Smaller Danish Lady’s writing desk in mahogany with drawers and brass details
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in DK
This smaller Danish modern writing desk was designed ca. 1950 by Danish architect Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) and executed by manufacturer Fritz Hansen, Denmark. The model number is 178...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 29.14 in W 51.97 in D 27.56 in
Serpentine Cloud Sofa in the manner of Vladimir Kagan, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Hamburg, PA
A vintage 1990s Serpentine Cloud Sofa in the manner of Vladimir Kagan. The fabric on the Cloud Sofa is supple, soft, and ready to place. This sofa would look great in any Mid-Centur...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Ultrasuede
Previously Available Items
Vladimir Kagan Lucite Leg Lounge Chairs in Holly Hunt Great Plains Alpaca
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
These are a pair of hard-to-find Vladimir Kagan lucite framed lounge chairs. Chairs have brass trim and we have restored by professionally polishing the lucite frames and upholsterin...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa, Sold Individually
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A great pair ready for upholstery of choice. We can help with reupholstery. Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofas by Directional.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Mosaic Venetian Glass Cocktail Table, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and very hard to find mosaic top venetian glass cocktail table by Vladmir Kagan for Kagan- Dreyfuss. Table top is venetian tiles assembled in a...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vladimir Kagan Deco Lounge Chairs in Parisian Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of Vladimir Kagan lounge chairs styled after the Deco chaise. We have reupholstered these in a beautiful fabric from P...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Directional in Black Microfiber
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan's iconic cloud serpentine sofa by Directional. This sofa is upholstered in black microfiber. They would both need to be reupholstered t...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Lucite, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Directional in White Leather
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan's iconic cloud serpentine sofa by Directional. This sofa is upholstered in white leather. We have another Kagan cloud if you wanted a p...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Leather, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Console in Burlwood and Lucite
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Very unique console designed by and manufactured by Vladimir Kagan. Console rests on a thick lucite base with curved sides. Console is bent burlwood with three drawers faced in brush...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vladimir Kagan, Stalagmite Floor Lamp, 1971
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Polished aluminum, 1971. Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc. Well-constructed lamp in working order. Documented in "The Complete Kagan" page 171.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Vladimir Kagan Curved Serpentine Cloud for Sofa in Red/Orange Cotton Velvet
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sofa by Vladimir Kagan newly upholstered in a rich cotton velvet. For Directional. Double top stitch on seams.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Chests of Drawers or Nightstands
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Hard to find Vladimir Kagan chest of drawers with polished reveal and Lucite leg tip. Needs new lacquer which we will do in color of choice.
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
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Vladimir Kagan Deco Chaise, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful chaise by Vladimir Kagan. New upholstery in a soft faux suede by Castel from Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Crescent Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and comfortable chair by Vladimir Kagan. Chair swivels and is currently on casters that can be easily removed. We recommend new upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vladimir Kagan furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Vladimir Kagan furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vladimir Kagan furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 281 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 8 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Vladimir Kagan were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, and Directional. Prices for Vladimir Kagan furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,190 and can go as high as $110,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,500.
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