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.
Vladimir Kagan Set of 8 Chrome Tee Dining Chairs in New Milk Chocolate Shearling
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Act fast on this set of eight Modern Vladimir Kagan dining chairs with glowing chrome frames newly professionally upholstered in hand sewn chocolate shearling sheep hides. When neith...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan Rocking Chair Upholstered in Champagne Ivory Peruvian Alpaca
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Vladimir Kagan walnut rocker newly upholstered in the softest hide on Earth - Champagne Ivory Alpaca. Most certainly an important acquisition for any discerning and sophisticated collector, this beautiful Vladimir Kagan Rocking Chair is constructed of curved walnut with a rich grain. Look at that gorgeous silhouette. The angled back and seat feature an ergonomic design that aligns you in perfect comfort and relieves pressure points. Scrolled curved cushions are symmetrical and are designed to gently support the back of your knees and neck. This Vladimir Kagan Rocker...
Hide, Alpaca, Walnut
Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Reupholstered in Jiun Ho velvet. Tagged Directional. Original example designed by Vladimir Kagan...
Velvet
Matinee Chair by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. USA. Reupholstered in Knoll two tone velvet
Velvet
Matinee Chair by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. USA. Original two tone leather construction with removable pillows and backrest.
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Child’s Cubist Chair Angela Jolie and Brad Pitt, Walnut, USA
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful child's cubist club chair that was commissioned by Angelina Jolie as a gift for her children, reflecting Brad Pitt's interest in contemporary American design. Sophisticated and playful constructed of walnut and fabric upholstery. Provenance Property from the Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan Literature Vladimir Kagan, The Complete Kagan...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Vintage Lacquered "Eva" Chair by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created by legendary mid-century German-American designer Vladimir Kagan as a custom commission for the Essex House Hotel in New York City, the "Eva" chair was described by Kagan as ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Vladimir Kagan Set of 6 Brushed Aluminum Dining Chairs in New Beige Shearling
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Act fast on this set of six Vladimir Kagan dining chairs newly professionally upholstered in hand sewn beige shearling with clean and modern brushed aluminum frames. When neither sty...
Chrome
Pair Of Vladimir Kagan Club Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan, Preview
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Vladimir Kagan Club Chairs. Offered is a splendid rare pair of club chairs, lounge chairs or side chairs designed by Vladimir Kagan for Preview Furniture Company in the early...
Bouclé, Wood
Set of 8 Vladimir Kagan Dining Chairs for Directional in Mocha Brown Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This set of 8 Vladimir Kagan dining chairs made by Directional is the only set of its kind available globally so act fast. Interior designers and private buyers routinely approach ou...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Fettucini Single Back Chair in Black Leather with Metal Base
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
The kinetic lines of the Fettucini Chair fold together and gracefully join along the legs, drawing the eye across each contour.The floating backrest fl...
Fabric
Pair of Vladimir Attributed Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vladimir attributed lounge chairs and ottomans, reupholstered with Italian Boucle. Preview Label on underside Measures: Ottoman H 17" W 24.75" D 22.5".
Bouclé, Upholstery
$1,300Sale Price|27% Off
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Chairs, Domino Chair, Model 7300
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Blue Velvet Covered Domino Side Dining Chairs, Model 7300, originally designed 1973, "Hand made in the workshops of / Vladimir Kagan ...
Velvet, Wood
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36 in W 20 in D 23 in
Set of 12 Milo Baughman 1187 Thin Line Chrome Dining Chairs
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent matching set of 12 Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1187 thin line chrome dining chairs. The set features the iconic floating ...
Steel
Restored Rare Snake Arm Rattan Rocking Child Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A rare Paul Frankl inspired one-strand snake arm childrens size rattan rocking chair with stick rattan seat. Professionally restored to original specificat...
Wicker, Rattan
Vladimir Kagan, Sofa, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A possibly unique walnut and off-white fabric sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Kagan-Dreyfuss, USA, 1960s. Provenance: Sofa custom ordered the apartment of Susan Schl...
Fabric, Walnut
$22,200
H 29 in W 107 in D 70 in
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Sofa, 1970s Modernist Design, USA 1970
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage large serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional in the 1970s. This sculptural piece epitomizes Kagan’s mastery of organic, flowing forms, featuring a bold ki...
Fabric, Wood
Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, C. 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Iconic Serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, 1970s. This sculptural piece has been fully restored by Stamford Modern, including all-new interior foam and materi...
Chenille, Walnut
$3,150Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 29 in W 34 in D 32 in
Rare Pair of Swivel Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a rare pair of swivel chairs by Vladimir Sagan. This hard-to-find model has a round upholstered plinth or base, which gives the chairs a strong presence and sculptural feel. ...
Upholstery
$18,000Sale Price / set|37% Off
H 40 in W 18.5 in D 25 in
Vladimir Kagan Nobadeer Set of Six Mahogany Dining Chairs, Mid-Century
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Six Vladimir Kagan Nobadeer Dining Chairs, mahogany frame with tan upholstered seats and backs, comprising: (4) four side chairs and (2) armchairs, one armchair with "Vladimir...
Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
$3,995 / set
H 36 in W 21.5 in D 25 in
Vladimir Kagan, Prudential Chairs, Rosewood, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, 1970s
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Southampton, NJ
"Prudential" armchair and sidechair designed by Vladimir Kagan circa 1974. Made by Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, in Rosewood. Gifted by the artist to an architect friend in North Eastern Mai...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Earl White Oak, Ivory Textured Linen Moresby Rocking Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This Rocker shown in white oak and maharam plume ciabatta ivory textured linen. In stock l...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Earl Walnut, Ivory Textured Linen Moresby Rocking Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This Rocker shown in walnut and maharam plume ciabatta ivory textured linen. In stock leat...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa, 2000
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Clound Sofa, 2000’s. Sofa is original white micro suede. Has 2 round plinth bases and 1 lucite leg in middle. There are a couple stains on...
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Reupholstered in blue/green/grey wool from Fishman's Fabrics. Tagged Directional. Original example...
Wool
Signed Vladimir Kagan Channeled "Ribbon" Chair in Holly Hunt Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This rare and stunning "Ribbon" dining/desk chair was realized by Vladimir Kagan- one of the most celebrated designers of the 20th century- in the United States, circa 1977. The rare...
Upholstery, Lucite
Sold
H 32 in W 18 in D 24 in
Set of 16 Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Steel Dining Chairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Early 1950s Vladimir Kagan set of 16 stainless steel dining side chairs professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé. This rare set was designed in the 1950s by Vladimir Kagan d...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 38.25 in W 19.5 in D 26 in
Pair of Signed Vladimir Kagan Channeled "Clos" Chairs in Holly Hunt Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This rare and stunning Pair of "Clos" dining/ game table chairs were realized by Vladimir Kagan- one of the most celebrated designers of the 20th century- in the United States, circa...
Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan “Freeform” Chairs, a pair
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s for Preview, freshly reupholstered in woven wool / cotton blend fabric. These chairs are in excellent, restored condition and feature their original tags
Fabric
Freeform Chair by Vladimir Kagan for Preview
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Original fabric and design by Vladimir Kagan. Made in North Carolina
Fabric
1970s Kagan Directional Nautilus Swivel Chairs Vintage - a Pair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Upholstery
Rockstar Chair by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1997. Original black leather rocking chair designed by Vladimir Kagan. Tagged.
Leather
Sold
H 28.5 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Vladimir Kagan for Preview Pair of 1980s Off White Chairs Mid Century Modern
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Elegant Vladimir Kagan for Preview chairs from the 1980s, these off-white, mid-century modern pieces exhibit a unique blend of style and comfo...
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Hurricane Chair
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Houston, TX
Vladimir Kagan for Directional hurricane chair. Offered is a classic post modern sculptural hurricane chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Direct...
Leather
Erica Chaise by Vladimir Kagan in Charcoal Gray Chenille
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Vladimir Kagan 'Erica' chaise circa early 1970s. This example has an elegant lucite base and has been newly upholstered in a charcoal chenille.
Chenille, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Navy Blue Velvet Nautilus "Corkscrew" Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan's work commands the eye with its freshness, energy, sensuality, and wit. Classic pair of swiveling "Nautilus" lounge chairs with ottoman by the legendary furniture designer Vladimir Kagan for Directional, circa 1990s. Features a sloping asymmetrical back on a swiveling base. The chairs are comfortable and swivel smoothly. They have been reupholstered in a navy blue velvet. They will match perfectly with any style of interior from Mid-Century Modern to contemporary. Literature: Vladimir Kagan for Directional CORK SCREW CHAIR...
Upholstery