Vladimir Kagan Sofas
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
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Directional, in Chinoiserie Tiger Velvet
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
This Vladimir Kagan Cloud sofa is divine! This is not just any sofa; it's a fantastical journey into the world of design where comfort meets chic in the most delightful way possible...
Category
1990s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Vladimir Kagan (1927-1988) Tufted Livid Velvet 'Unicorn" Sofa Model U522, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Germantown, MD
A Iconic Vladimir Kagan (1927-1988) Tufted Livid Velvet Upholstered Cast Aluminum 'Unicorn' Sofa, Model U522, Introduced 1960, Late 1960'S.
Vladimir Kagan was an American furniture d...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Aluminum
Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Velvet
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Manhasset, NY
Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Curved Cloud Sofa, Beige Velvet, Lucite, USA, 1980s
The Cloud Sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the 19...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Lucite
Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France, 2003
By Roche Bobois, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vladimir Kagan; Futurism; Modernism; 2000s; Mid-Century Modern; Roche Bobois; France; Cotton Chenille; Contemporary Design; Chenille Fabric; Ottoman; 2003; Grey; Glacier;
Futurist asymmetric 'Comete...
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Wool, Alpaca, Cotton
Vladimir Kagan, "Unicorn" Sofa, Lucite, Velvet, USA, c. 1975
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A curved velvet and lucite "Unicorn" sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc.
Model originally designed with metal base, present example is a ra...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Lucite
20th Century American Lucite Four Seater Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American four seater Serpentine sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat backrest of the...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan, "Unicorn" Sofa, Lucite, Velvet, USA, c. 1975
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A curved velvet and lucite "Unicorn" sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc.
Model originally designed with metal base, present example is a ra...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Lucite
Curvy Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa with Lucite Base
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Bensalem, PA
Original Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa with original Directional tags please feel free to reach out with any questions
Category
1980s American Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofa Mid-Century
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. This sofa is one of Kagan's most Avant Garde ...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Vladimir Kagan Angle Tangent Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare find, the Tangent sofa with an open chaise feature by Vladimir Kagan Angle Tangent Sofa for Preview is an exquisite addition to any mid-century modern collection. This sofa bo...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Swan Back Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vladimir Kagan Swan back Sofa
faux leather and steel
Category
20th Century American Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
20th Century Vladmir Kagan left arm sofa for Directional - Newly Upholstered
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Wainscott, NY
Newly upholstered Vladimir Kagan kidney-shaped "cloud" sofa for Directional, designed in the 1960s. Curved sofa with a left-facing arm and right-facing enlarged bumper. Warm pale-cem...
Category
20th Century American Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
$18,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Marilyn Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Post modern Vladimir Kagan Marilyn Sofa by Directional for Vladimir Kagan in new ivory white bouclé upholstery. Whimsical and happy, Kagan's Marilyn line...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery
RARE Pair of Curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Las Vegas, NV
These curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan are RARELY seen and we just happen to have a pair. A gorgeous duet, each with 3 lucite support legs and gorgeous Joseph Noble Mohair. T...
Category
20th Century Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Mohair, Lucite
$10,000 / set
Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, United States, 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Antwerp, BE
A masterpiece of mid-century modern design, the Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa embodies the fluid elegance that defines his work. Its sweeping, organic silhouette invites both comfor...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Barrel Sofa by Vladimir Kagan circa 1950's
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural masterpiece from one of the most celebrated modernist designers, the Barrel Sofa by Vladimir Kagan is an exceptional example of his early work from the 1950s. Capturing the postwar optimism of the era, its fluid curves and architectural presence embody the forward-looking spirit that defined mid-century design.
This example is newly upholstered in Sand Bouclé — French for “open loop” — a tactile, nubby fabric that invites touch and adds visual depth. Designed with Kagan’s signature embrace of organic form, the sofa’s sweeping back and rounded arms create an intimate seating arrangement that’s as comfortable as it is striking.
The warm sand tone complements a range of interiors, from minimalist to richly layered spaces. Restored to excellent condition, this early Kagan Barrel Sofa...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
$39,750 / item
Wave Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather in Corduroy
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. USA. Tagged. Reupholstered in stone grey corduroy. Original wood legs that match sofa form.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1990s. USA. Reupholstered in white boucle fabric.
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle
Pair of handsome mid-century modern organic form sofas by Vladimir Kag...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Restored "Fiftyish" Sofa for American Leather, 2000s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Coronado, CA
"Fiftyish" sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by American leather in the 2000s. This contemporary design was influenced by Kagan's winged barrel chairs of the 1950s. This e...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa in Charcoal Black Fabric, U.S.A. 1970's.
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, showcasing the designer’s signature curvilinear form and sculptural presence. Upholstered in a luxurious charcoal black fabric and brass ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Exceptional Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Large Sectional Sofa Rust Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016)
Serpentine sofa, #150
Exceptional and large unique curvaceous form
USA, newly upholstered rust color bouclé fabric, walnut base in good condition
unmarked and comes with receipt from Haute Living...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Sloane Sectional Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Established in 2008, the Vladimir Kagan Couture collection features a selection of the Classic Kagan designs from 1950s to his new designs from 21st century. One of the new designs on offer here is the New Moon sofa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$22,000 Sale Price / set
22% Off
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 Sofas
Materials
Ultrasuede
Fiftyish Wingback Leather Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. We also have another available with walnuts feet. Original leather with chrome legs. Extremely rare piece of design.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Matinee Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Matinee Sofa/Daybed by Vladimir Kagan
Manufactured by American Leather
2002
Back bolster is removable to transform the sofa into a Daybed
2 Tubular Pillows
Chocolate & Creme
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Leather
$10,800
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Arc Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vladimir Kagan is one of the most recognized and enduring designers of modern furniture and is widely regarded as “the grandfather of modern furniture design”. He started designing i...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Sofa, Ochre, United States
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vladimir Kagan
Sofa model “Directional”
Manufactured by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc.
United States
Upholstery, walnut
Measurements
244 cm x 147 cm x 75 cm
96 in x 58 in x 29.5 in
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century American Weiman Bilbao Four Seater Sofa, Canapé by Vladimir Kagan
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American Bilbao four seater sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman in good condition. The back rest of the sculptural c...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan for Preview Mid Century Bilbao Sofa
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Preview Post-Modern Bilbao Sofa
This sofa measures: 74 wide x 36 deep x 38.25 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s, fully restored in a wool velvet. Very good condition
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Vladimir Kagan sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
Vladimir Kagan sofas 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 sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 68 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original sofas 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 sofas by Edward Wormley, Dunbar, and Knoll.
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