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.
Foot Stool in Red Offered by Vladimir Kagan Design Group
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
Vladimir Kagan Foot Stool in Red. Pairs with Multi-position Reclining chair. Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) emigrated to the United States from Germany ...
Leather
Brown Leather Pouf with Sheepskin Shearling Foot Stool
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
What a great way to add a stylish addition to your living room comfort with this brown leather pouf. Featuring an Italian grained leather trimmed with Australian curly wool shearling...
Sheepskin
$3,065 / item
H 17 in Dm 18 in
Contemporary Modern Hygge Stool in Boucle Fabric &Travertino Marble by Collector
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Hygge Collection is inspired by contemporary architecture in Portugal that Speaks of its Romanesque past by honoring the antiques geometris, such as the arch and the column. Saccal D...
Travertine
Sculptural Walnut Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan, C. 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Sculptural ottoman designed by Vladimir Kagan, circa 1950–1959. Fully restored by Stamford Modern, this striking piece features a beautifully sculpted walnut base refinished in a ric...
Linen, Walnut
Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen pk33 Stool
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in London, GB
In original condition with nice patina to the leather. Poul Kjaerholm pk33 for E. Kold Christensen. Denmark c1959 This is stamped
Steel
DOOQ Ottoman with Soft Velvet and Brass Foot Egoista
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With its name being the direct translation of selfish in Portuguese, this ottoman revolves around its own universe. Within a refined, elegant and distinctive frame, resembling the na...
Brass
$2,464Sale Price|64% Off
H 15 in W 24 in D 20 in
Vladimir Kagan Barrel Ottoman by Holly Hunt, Whiskey Mohair & Polished Nickel
By Vladimir Kagan, HOLLY HUNT
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vladimir Kagan Mohair 100BF Barrel Ottoman, Polished Nickel, Holly Hunt. Gorgeous Whiskey Mohair Custom piece. Rare metal polished nickel legs. ...
Stainless Steel
$2,016Sale Price|30% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 16 in
Swivel Clear Lucite Waterfall Vanity Stool by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charles Hollis Jones "Waterfall" vanity stool. Has been professionally reupholstered in a light chenille fabric with gold flecks. Gold castor legs all roll smoothly. Swivel base...
Lucite
$3,085Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 13.78 in W 22.45 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Oak Stools Produced by Willy Beck
By Willy Beck, Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender stools, produced by Willy Beck, Copenhagen, Denmark in 1961. Oak frame, upholstered with white velour textile. The seats are marked underneath w...
Fabric, Oak, Upholstery
$2,850
H 19 in W 25 in D 25 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Foot Stool, Ottoman Original Water Gilded Finish
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
French Louis XV Style ottoman or foot stool that was produced in France in the mid-to late 1800’s. The Maker’s Stamp is still on the bottom and is marked; Au Bon Marché Maison, Aristide Boucicaut, Tapisserie et Ameublement Paris. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche was the first department store in the world and opened in 1852 in Paris with Aristide Boucicaut and his wife Marguerite at the helm. They offered original creations and limited editions alongside a selection of the most beautiful objects from all over the world. Our Antique French Louis XV Ottoman...
Gold Leaf
$1,850
H 18.31 in W 23.04 in D 19.3 in
Fine Thomas Clarkson & Son Ltd circa 1940 Hand Carved Claw & Ball Foot Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Thomas Clarkson & Sons LTD circa 1940 hand carved claw & ball cabriolet legged stool based on a George III design. A very decorative and well made piece, the top has a period Victorian embroidery...
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Omnibus ottoman (One Available)
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Pleased to offered this ottoman by Vladimir Kagan. This oversized ottoman will look perfect in any decor. Fabric can be used as is or these are perfect for a redo in your own fabric....
Fabric, Lucite
$4,600 / item
+ 5 moreH 18.25 in W 30.5 in D 22.5 in
Sling Ottoman in Solid Walnut, Satin Nickel and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam
By BassamFellows
Located in Ridgefield, CT
A club chair anchors a living space and gives it personality. Seen from across a room, it invites relaxation, contemplation, and introspection while setting the mood. The Sling chair...
Steel
Vladimir Kagan for Directional, Waterfall Stools in Tan Boucle, 1990
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional, waterfall stools in tan bouclé, circa 1990s.
Fabric, Upholstery
Sold
H 34 in W 60 in D 35 in
Vladimir Kagan Contour Loveseat and Footstool in Tan Leather with Natural Walnut
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
Resisting the move to ‘modern’ hard angles in the 1950s, the Kagan Contour series is iconic among midcentury designs for its emphasis on natural materials and hand craftsmanship. The...
Walnut
Vladimir Kagan Poufs in Leather Directional, USA, 1999
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice and large seating poufs designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional, United States, 1999. The stools have white leather upholstery and have a chrome ring at the bottom. These poofs are often sold with the serpentine sofa by Kagan...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan chair and ottoman for Fendi
By Vladimir Kagan, Fendi Casa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fendi swivel club chair and ottoman by Vladimir Kagan, Club House Italia Fendi and Kagan! Stunning chair and ottoman designed for a mega yacht called the "Darlings Darma". Ancona, S...
Upholstery, Wood