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 Unicorn Occasional Tables, Pair, Polished Cast Aluminum and Glass
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Kansas City, MO
Vladimir Kagan unicorn occasional tables, pair. Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc. USA, 1959 / circa 1990. Cast and polished aluminum, glass. Very good condit...
Aluminum
$15,500 / set
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Tri-Symetric End Tables
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful associated pair of Tri-Symetric Tables designed by Vladimir Kagan.
Walnut
Vladimir Kagan Modernist End Table in Rosewood, Kagan-Dreyfuss, c. 1950
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pedestal end table, model 6722, comprising an open square body in lacquered rosewood finished with a .75-inch, tinted glass top with radiused corners, designed by Vladimir Kagan for ...
Glass, Rosewood
$2,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vladimir Kagan Walnut and Glass End Tables
By Selig, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We can bring this item to you curbside for local, in-person viewing. Inquiries welcome. Handsome midcentury pair of tables featuring gracefully curved walnut veneer panels, contra...
Chrome
$4,850Sale Price|34% Off
Early Vladimir Kagan Side Table w J. Warner Prins Ceramic Tiles, c 1949, Signed
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and early (circa 1949) open-sided tiered side / end table by Vladimir Kagan, during his early years either right before or in the beginning of his partnership with Hugo Dre...
Ceramic, Oak
Pair of Walnut and Tile Mosaic Side or End Tables
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice vintage Mid-Century Modern mosaic tops walnut end tables.
Stone
Pair of Early English Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early English mahogany and reclaimed oak occasional 'Joynt' table, the planked rectangular top with a molded edge, above a paneled frieze with gently splayed turned legs terminating in block feet joined by a planked tray...
Wood
Pair of Bamboo and Glass Tables
By Ficks Reed
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of cube form bamboo stands with plate glass tops. Each table has cross hatch woven sides and open ends, both are in good condition, clean, sturdy, and ready to use. One gla...
Bamboo, Glass
Vladimir Kagan, Coffee Table, Walnut, Marble, USA, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and marble coffee table designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., New York, c. 1950s. Provenance: DeLorenzo Gallery, New York. Wear consistent with ...
Marble
Handcrafted English Walnut Modernist End Table
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted from the finest English walnut. These modernist low tables are acutely eye-catching but practical pieces of furniture. Bespoke handmade by master craftsmen in England and...
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut End Tables
By Jens Risom
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Pair of Walnut Side Tables or Nightstands, attributed to Jens Risom, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. They have been cleaned and Danish oiled.
Glass, Walnut
Pair of Danish Modern End Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A stylish and straightforward pair of Danish Modern rosewood end tables with square tapered legs and black composition tops framed with a low beaded rim. From the famed Copenhagen department store, Illums Bolighus, marked under each top. The perfect end tables next to your sofa, or placed in front as moveable coffee tables.
Rosewood
Pair of Mid-Century Two Tier Tile Top End Tables, circa 1950
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Mid-Century Two Tier Tile Top End Tables circa 1950 "Interstate Tile & Marble Co" Miami, Florida lower table is 15.25" high upper table is 22.25" high "perfect for an ...
Metal
Gordon & Jane Martz Style Tile Mosaic Side Table
By Gordon Martz, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round side table in the style of Gordon & Jane Martz. The table top is inlaid with ceramic tiles in a geometric pattern. The tiles are shades of caramel and butterscotch. The frame, ...
Ceramic, Walnut
$7,850
H 23 in W 24.25 in D 24.25 in
Dunbar Table with Otto and Gertrude Natzler Tiles by Edward Wormley, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Exquisite side table in African Mahogany with embedded Otto and Gertrude Natzler ceramic tiles designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Look closely at ...
Ceramic, Mahogany
1940s Gold Ceramic Mosaic Tile Tassel Tables with Cast Iron Base
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of gold ceramic mosaic tile top tassel tables. Cast iron tassel shaped bases are cement filled for weight. Mosaic tops are edged with wood trim. PR...
Iron
$818Sale Price|50% Off
H 33.08 in Dm 23.63 in
Forged Iron & Glass Iron Arrow Side Lamp Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A statement side/lamp table with circular glass top and stylised arrow supports in matt black enamelled iron. Likely French or Italian, c. 1970s.
Iron
Sold
H 22.25 in W 30 in D 24 in
Vladimir Kagan for Gucci Lucite, Stainless Steel and Rosewood End Table, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan, Gucci
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stunning modernist stainless steel, lucite, and rosewood end table designed by Vladimir Kagan for Gucci, 1990s. This versatile end table would work i...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 23.75 in W 24 in D 18 in
Important Vladimir Kagan Sculptural Nightstands, Signed Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950s
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very rare and important pair of sculptural nightstands / end tables were designed by Vladimir Kagan and handcrafted by Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc du...
Walnut
Sold
H 20.5 in W 28 in D 16 in
Rare Vladimir Kagan Mosaic Nesting Tables for Kagan-Dreyfuss, circa 1955
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare Vladimir Kagan Mosaic nesting tables for Kagan-Dreyfuss circa 1955 Wood burned label on the underside of larger table Measures: Large - 16 D x ...
Hardwood, Glass
Sold
H 22 in W 30 in D 18 in
Vladimir Kagan 2-Tier Side Table with Inset Ceramic Tile Top 1950 'Signed'
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and early open-sided table in oak with artisan ceramic tiles inset in top by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, American, c.1950 (signed on bottom “Kagan-Dreyfuss New York. A Vladimir Kagan Design”.) Kagan incorporated hand-made ceramic tiles by Alexandra Kasuba in some of his early designs. They are works of art and their collaboration was a great success. Reference: The Complete Kagan...
Ceramic, Oak
Vladimir Kagan Signed Cantilever Unicorn End Table
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an authentic vintage cantilever Unicorn End Table designed by Vladimir Kagan with stamp on verso This table is showcases iconic Kagan design with the V-shape that is inspired by a sense of movement in futuristic sculpture...
Wood
Vladimir Kagan "Radius" End Tables, 1960s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Matching set of end tables by Vladimir Kagan, featuring three convex walnut panels attached with a nickel stretcher. Walnut fully restored. Nickel stretchers do show light scuff and ...
Nickel
Vladimir Kagan Rare Omnibus Side Table in Walnut and Lucite, 1975
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare omnibus side table-oblong (model 7079-18) for the omnibus sofa in walnut with Lucite legs by Vladimir Kagan, Omnibus collection, American, 1975. Very few of these side tables we...
Lucite, Walnut
Kagan Table Base
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural solid wood table base designed by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan – Dreyfuss, circa 1950s. Wood base in very good, original, untouched condition, missing glass top. Sculptural or...
Wood
Handmade Vladimir Kagan Lucite and Macassar Ebony Table
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We all love Vladimir Kagan's curves and this table is emblematic of his understated - yet sexy - style of design. This one of a kind, handmade Lucite and exotic Macassar ebony cantil...
Lucite, Macassar
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Chests of Drawers or Nightstands
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Hard to find Vladimir Kagan chest of drawers with polished reveal and Lucite leg tip. Needs new lacquer which we will do in color of choice.
Lucite, Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Side Tables by Vladimir Kagan, Walnut, Chrome, and Glass
By Vladimir Kagan, Selig
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of matching end tables designed by Vladimir Kagan for Selig. Curved walnut bases with a connecting bar of chrome that supports the ori...
Chrome
Sold
H 22 in W 21 in D 27.5 in
Chaplin End Table in Wood & Stone Offered by Vladimir Kagan Design Group
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
First introduced in 1952, the Chaplin End Table features flared legs, rounded edges, and geometric dynamism. Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) emigrated t...
Stone