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.
Vladamir Kagan "Dune" Chaise/ Daybed by Barlow Tyrie
By Barlow Tyrie, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Highland, IN
Kagan's design for Barlow Tyrie is a perfect example of his design aesthetic. The undulating, organic form that references a nautilus envelopes the sitter and provides a small table surface. The nesting ottoman...
Upholstery, Wicker
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Vladimir Kagan Capricorn Series Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Wayne, NJ
Vladimir Kagan Capricorn series indoor outdoor lounge chair. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your deli...
Metal
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Capricorn' Tiered Side Table, circa 1958
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare collectors piece is an early Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss 'Capricorn' tiered side table featuring a pierced enameled steel top which is reminiscent of designs by Mathi...
Steel
$1,800 / item
H 22.38 in W 68.89 in D 27.55 in
Vintage French Style Wrought Iron Chaise Longue with Cushion
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage French style wrought iron chaise longue with cushion The wrought iron patio or porch garden chaise longue has two wheels for easy ...
Wrought Iron
Cast Resin 'Spindle' Side Table by Zachary A. Design
By Zachary A. Bitner
Located in Chicago, IL
An unlikely material takes on an iconic form. Strength and durability, sculpted with fragility and elegance. Form and function in one. Dimensions: Diameter 20.5 in. (52 cm), height ...
Resin, Fiberglass
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Chaise Lounge Att. to Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron and metal mesh adjustable chaise lounge attributed to the Woodard Furniture Company. The chaise has a reclining backrest, and wheels to easily move the piece. Pe...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Side or Garden Table After Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Garden, patio, poolside or sunroom side table having arched legs and top support, and a metal mesh top. Probably by Woodard, unsigned. The table is structurally sound and sturdy, the...
Wrought Iron
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Square Side Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A side table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a square shape with rounded corners, supported by four legs in matching bronze. T...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Graceful even for a Lamb design, the chaise lounge is rendered in bronze tubing with a seat of woven yacht cord. Its namesake ar...
Bronze
Side Table by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table manufactured by Salterini, design attributed to Tempestini. Metal mesh top with wrought iron rod base, currently in original brown paint finish (shows wear)...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The late 1940s or early 1950s early S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb predating his partnership with Brown Jordan. The chaise lounge is rendered in thick bronze tubing with a canva...
Bronze
George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side Tables
By Arbuck, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of elegant, tiered, wrought iron side tables by George Nelson For Arbuck feature travertine tops that lay within the frames and mesh bottom tiers at 14 inches height.
Travertine, Wrought Iron
$1,680
H 35.5 in W 36.5 in D 41 in
Rattan and aluminum adjustable "fish" chaise lounge by Troy Sunshade Co
By Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rattan and anodized aluminum adjustable "fish" chaise lounge by Troy Sunshade Co.. Amazing original condition.. Minor rap missing (top),, Hand delivery avail to New York City or anyw...
Aluminum
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 86.23 in W 43.71 in D 35.44 in
Melon Hanging Chair Daybed, Steel frame for Indoors and outdoors
By Joanina and David Pastoll
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Melon lounger is inspired by a hammock - but with its structured hard frame it will not fold in and is thus hugely comfortable. It’s organic shape is reminiscent of a slice of f...
Steel
Outdoor Sun Lounge, Modern Brazilian Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
This outdoor Sun-lounge is made in hardwood and metal, without visible solderings for the ultimate modern visuals, this interesting multi-finish structure ...
Metal
Charles Zublena Fiberglass Pool Chaise Lounges, France
By Charles Zublena
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charles Zublena designed, mod, fiberglass, poolside, chaise lounges manufactured by Les Plastiques de Bourgogne, France, 1960, marked underside “LP/Club 41 Salbris.” Depending on how...
Fiberglass
$10,450 / item
H 22.5 in W 78.75 in D 47.25 in
Contemporary Minimal Style Bird Bed Outdoor Daybed powder coated
By Nina Edwards Anker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This aluminum outdoor daybed holds two people on a single narrow spine or foot. The lounge chair flexes comfortably under body weight and is accompanied with a removable water proof ...
Metal
American Rustic Old Hickory Chaise Lounge
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American Rustic Old Hickory (19/20th Century) chaise lounge with round woven back and seat
Hickory
Vladimir Kagan "Capricorn" Patio Lounge Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio lounge chair by Vladimir Kagan, c.1950s, USA, for the Capricorn series is comprised of an iron wire frame that creates a grid-like pattern. The chair has been newly powder coat...
Iron
Sold
H 34.75 in W 18 in D 17.5 in
Matched Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Kagan Dreyfuss "Capricorn" Lounge Chairs 1950
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan Dreyfuss "Capricorn" lounge chairs 1950. Two matching tripod chairs. Early examples. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffalo N...
Steel
Vladimir Kagan Capricorn Dining Set for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950's
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Ever seen that iconic Slim Aaron's photo? You know, the one Poolside Glamour-- if you look right in the center of the photograph, underneath the yellow umbrella, you'll see this icon...
Steel, Iron
Sold
H 34.75 in W 18 in D 17.5 in
Matched Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Kagan Dreyfuss "Capricorn" Lounge Chairs 1950
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan Dreyfuss "Capricorn" lounge chairs 1950. Two matching tripod chairs. Early examples. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffalo N...
Steel
Sold
H 29 in Dm 41 in
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan Dreyfuss "Capricorn" Outdoor Dining Set 1950s, Restored
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Known for his eye-catching, modernistic, dynamic designs, Vladimir Kagan's work attracted a stream of notable design projects, along with a lengthy list of celebrity clientele, inclu...
Steel
Matched Pair of Vladimir Kagan Capricorn HIgh Back Dining Chairs, 1958
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Matched pair of fully restored original Vladimir Kagan Capricorn High Back Dining Chairs from 1958. Ready to use.
Steel
Vladimir Kagan "Capricorn" Lounge Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Bainbridge, NY
classic Vladimir Kagan (Kagan-Dreyfuss) Capricorn series Lounge Chair in White powder coated Steel. Great for indoor or outdoor use
Steel
Vladimir Kagan rolling "Capricorn" Chaise Lounge
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Bainbridge, NY
White Vladimir Kagan (Kagan-Dreyfuss) Capricorn series Chaise Lounge Chair with rubber covered front wheel for easy movement. For indoor outdoor use
Steel