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.
$2,750 / item
Vladimir Kagan 'Capricorn' Lounge Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, 'Capricorn' lounge chair, lacquered metal, United States, circa 1958 The Capricorn chair features a splendid construction that suits both indoor and outdoor settings...
Metal
$57,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Shield Back Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, circa 1959, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention collectors and design purists seeking the pinnacle of 20th-century American modernism: this exceptional set of eight rare model VK-103 'Shield-Back' dining chairs, designed...
Leather, Walnut
$8,700Sale Price / set|48% Off
Vladimir Kagan Handmade Postmodern Dining Chairs, Set of Eight, 1980s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of 1980s Postmodern lacquered black dining chairs by Vladimir Kagan, comprised of a set of eight side chairs, are extremely high quality - these chairs have significant heft, not overly heavy but very solid hefty chairs demonstrating the high quality construction you would expect from Vladimir Kagan's handmade workshop. Signed with Vladimir Kagan labels. *Note, we have another set of 8 chairs in this same style, 2 of the set are armchairs. The upholstery is slightly different so would be best to reupholster if you wish to combine the sets. These hard to find handmade dining...
Lacquer, Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Set of 4 Capricorn Tall Back Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 4 Capricorn chairs by Vladimir Kagan. 2 chaises also available.
Metal
Pair of Vladimir Kagan "Nobu" or "Cubist" Walnut Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Contemporary American "Nobu" or "Cubist" dining chairs feature a flattened minimalist openwork frame with back and seat anchored to the front and back supports, upholstered i...
Fabric, Wood, 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
Vladimir Kagan Swan Back Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vladimir Kagan Swan back Sofa faux leather and steel
Upholstery
$7,050 / set
H 35.04 in W 24.81 in D 19.69 in
Tito Agnoli x Calligaris Italian Postmodern Leather Dining Chairs, 1980s, Italy
By Tito Agnoli, Matteo Grassi, Calligaris
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A set of six Postmodern sculptural dining chairs designed by Tito Agnoli and handmade by Calligaris in Italy, 1980s. They feature a...
Leather
$3,995 / set
H 36 in W 21.5 in D 25 in
Vladimir Kagan, Prudential Chairs, Rosewood, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
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
$2,900 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in
Hypatia Side Chair With Unglazed Leather Seat And Back On Walnut Frame
By Brett Paulin, Alex Stap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Hypatia side chair is beautifully Minimalist in design. Subtle and thoughtful details highlight the implicit characteristics of the materials, ultimately working in harmony to cr...
Brass
$998
H 29.34 in W 17.13 in D 16.15 in
Modern Black Vintage Metal Faux Leather Tokyo Chair by Rodney Kinsman, 1985, UK
By Rodney Kinsman
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage chair was designed by Rodney Kinsman 1985 United Kingdom and made of black lacquered tube steel and a covered seat features black ...
Metal
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair. Outlandish and crazy! This one makes a statement! In it's original fleshy pink Boucle Fabric!
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Early Barrel Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Coronado, CA
An early "Barrel Lounge Chair" designed by Vladimir Kagan in 1947, with this example dating to the early to mid 1950s. The chair has been fully restored inside and out, and features ...
Brass
$25,995 / set
H 34.5 in W 31 in D 38 in
Vladimir Kagan for Dreyfuss Mid Century Highback Barrel Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Dreyfuss Mid Century Highback Barrel Lounge Chair with Ottoman The chair measures: 31 wide x 38 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 16.5 inches and arm height...
Upholstery
$2,693Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 24.41 in D 18.9 in
A pair of Italian walnut occasional chairs newly upholstered in velvet
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1940s Italian walnut occasional/Bridge chairs professionally restored & newly upholstered in cream velvet suede effect fabric.
Metal
$4,230 / set
H 44.69 in W 21.07 in D 18.51 in
Hollywood Regency Style Pair Green Fabric Upholstered Side or Dining Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
These pair of elegant French chairs, were be upholstered in green fabric. The fabric is made by Andrew Martin in London and it is a fabric cotton with diagonal weaving. The backrest...
Fabric, Wood
Roger Rougier Set of 6 Post Modern Dining Chairs, 1980
By Roger Rougier
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Rougier set of 6 Postmodern dining chairs, 1980. Original upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 22.13 in D 36 in
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
Vladimir Kagan, Side Chairs, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut and green fabric side chairs designed and produced by Vladimir Kagan, USA, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 37.0"H x 18.5"W x 25.0"D Seat Height (inches): 18...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 18.5 in D 22.5 in
Pair of Vladimir Kagan 'Cubist' Side Chairs in Walnut, c 1967, New York
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful set of Vladimir Kagan model #6724 sled based 'Cubist' chairs, circa 1967 New York. These side chairs feature walnut frames in an angular geometric form. Designed in 1967...
Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Side Chairs, Grosfeld House, circa 1958
By Grosfeld House, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Highly sought-after set of side chairs, designed by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House, circa 1958. Sculptural walnut frames are fully restored, reu...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 36.75 in W 23.5 in D 27.5 in
Vladimir Kagan Handmade Dining Chairs on Casters, Set of Six, c 1970s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful set of signed Vladimir Kagan for Vladimir Kagan Designs dining chairs, comprised of two handmade armchairs and four side chairs, and featuring its original brownish grey / grayish brown mohair fabric, walnut frames and on casters which are such an incredible convenience - until you've had dining chairs on casters you may not be aware of how nice it is to have. The loose cushions and upholstered backs make these chairs very comfortable. The classic Kagan Cubist...
Fabric, Wood
Vladmir Kagan Walnut Side Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Long tapered legs and a suspended backrest make the shield back chair an optimal choice to create negative space and lighten heavy spaces. Hand-finished solid walnut highlights the n...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Armchair / Desk Chair, Wood, White Boucle, Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A swiveling organic armchair / desk chair designed by Vladimir Kagan. Organicly carved wood is paired with a high-end bouclé fabric. Produced by Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s. With metal plaq...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Armchair / Desk Chair, Wood, White Boucle, Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A swiveling organic armchair / desk chair designed by Vladimir Kagan. Organically carved wood is paired with a high-end bouclé fabric. Produced by Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s. With label. ...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Armchair / Desk Chair, Wood, White Boucle, Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A swiveling organic armchair / desk chair designed by Vladimir Kagan. Organicly carved wood is paired with a high-end bouclé fabric. Produced by Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s. With metal plaq...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Armchair / Desk Chair, Wood, White Boucle, Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A swiveling organic armchair / desk chair designed by Vladimir Kagan. Organically carved wood is paired with a high-end bouclé fabric. Produced by Kagan-Dreyfus, 1960s. With metal pl...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 23 in D 24 in
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...
Leather
Set of 6 Vladimir Kagan Channeled "Clos" Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a set of six "Clos" side chairs by Vladimir Kagan. This set represents a rare iteration of Kagan's iconic "Clos" chairs feature channel detailing on the seats, front and back...
Upholstery, Lucite
Sold
H 36.5 in W 18.75 in D 24.5 in
Rare Shield Back Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, circa 1959, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention those who want the absolute best of the best of the best, your chairs have arrived. This pair of very rare and highly sought-after model #VK-103 'Shield Back' chairs by Vla...
Leather, Walnut