Pair of Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Swivel Chairs
View Similar Items
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Swivel Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 37 in (93.98 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU195835329013
Vladimir Kagan
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.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Swivel Chairs in Bouclé in the Style of Milo Baughman, 1970sBy Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Miami, FLSet of swivel chairs in the style of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa 1970-1979. Completely reupholstered in a neutral and luxurious creamy taupe beige nubby boucle. Other des...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern Channel Back Lounge Chairs - PairBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in Miami, FLStunning pair of Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern channel fan back lounge chairs, circa 1940s. Super stylish left and right chairs in the style of Billy Haines, Milo Baughman, or...Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb for Directional Off-White Velvet Sofa, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLReupholstered Mid-Century Modern model 1307 light cream velvet sofa by Paul McCobb for Directional. The couch has been recovered in a gorgeous neutra...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Mahogany
$5,390 Sale Price44% Off - Midcentury Rattan Chair and Ottoman W/ Josef Frank Style FabricBy Paul Frankl, Franco AlbiniLocated in Miami, FLNewly restored and reupholstered vintage three-strand rattan armchair and footstool dating from the late 1940s to early 1950s. The removable cushions have been reupholstered in a Josef Frank style indoor/outdoor performance fabric. The bentwood and streamlined frames are in the transitional style between Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern and remind us of speed lounge chairs...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Fabric
- Travertine and Brass Side Table by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLA fine Mid-Century Modern brass and travertine limestone model 8732 end table designed by Paul McCobb for the Directional Collection, d...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Gio Ponti Style Walnut Lounge Chair in Ivory White BoucléBy Gio Ponti, Kurt ØstervigLocated in Miami, FLSultry and sleek vintage modern walnut armchair with luxurious ivory white boucle fabric. The soft and textured bouclé fabric contrasts the walnut wood beautifully and completes the ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Fabric
- Pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew Nautilus Swivel Chairs for DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Wayne, NJPair of Vladimir Kagan corkscrew swivel chairs for Directional. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
$5,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Ivory Bouclé Swivel Chairs & Ottoman for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Saint Louis, MOPost modern pair of Vladimir Kagan tilt and swivel chairs for directional with custom en suite ottoman newly reupholstered in soft luxurious ivory white bouclé. Modern. Plush. Sexy. Uber comfy. These are large statement piece swivel chairs. Come to Momma. Take the weight of the world off in uber luxurious modern comfort. Curvy plush over sized arm rests envelop you like a mink stole. Tilt back and take a deep breath or sit side saddle and recline your legs. Swivel about with your best scotch. Super soft ivory bouclé fabric ventilates well - cozy in winter and cool in summer. These Vladimir Kagan swivel lounge chairs are perfect for a Malibu beach...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional Style Nautilus Swivel ChairsBy Directional, Vladimir Kagan, Milo BaughmanLocated in Houston, TXOutstanding pair of Vladimir Kagan for Directional Style Nautilus swivel chairs. This stunning true opposing pair of Kagan Postmodern Nautilus swivel chairs or corkscrew swivel chair...Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- Nautilus Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Reupholstered in nubby chenille from Fishman's Fabrics. Tagged Directional. Original example desig...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsChenille
- Pair of Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Corkscrew Swivel Chairs Black & BlueBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by Vladimir Kagan for prestigious manufacturer Directional, this symmetrical (left and right) pair of chairs are rare and exclusive. Their distinct and organic design featur...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair Vladimir Kagan Directional Nautilus Corkscrew Matching Grey Swivel ChairsBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by Vladimir Kagan for prestigious manufacturer Directional, this identical, not symmetrical, pair of chairs are rare and exclusive. Their distinct and organic design feature...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood, Suede