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.
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 31.5 in
Earl Walnut, Ivory Textured Linen Moresby Rocking Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This Rocker shown in walnut and maharam plume ciabatta ivory textured linen. In stock leat...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
H 37.25 in W 31.25 in D 43 in
Vladimir Kagan Mid Century Two Position Contour Walnut Rocking Chair and Ottoman
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Vladimir Kagan Mid Century Two Position Contour Walnut Rocking Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 31.25 wide x 43 deep x 37.25 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm heigh...
Upholstery, Walnut
H 32 in W 26 in D 32 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 812-CR Walnut Rocking Lounge Chair
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 812-CR Mid Century Walnut Rocking Lounge Chair This rocking chair measures: 26 wide x 32 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height...
Upholstery, Walnut
H 28 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Mid Century Italian Modern Sculptural Rocking Chair in Walnut after Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful and sculptural rocking chair in the style of Gio Ponti. This chair features solid walnut construction and newly upholstered seat cushions. Marked: Made in Italy. Circa 19...
Fabric, Walnut
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 31.5 in
Earl Walnut, Beige Textured Linen Moresby Rocking Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This Rocker shown in walnut and maharam plume ciabatta ivory textured linen. In stock leat...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
H 36 in W 28.25 in D 36 in
Gio Ponti Style Walnut Lounge Chair in Ivory White Bouclé
By Kurt Østervig, Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Sultry 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 ...
Walnut, Fabric
H 40.16 in W 25.99 in D 31.11 in
Ole Wanscher FD-160 Rosewood & Fabric Rocking Chair, 1960s
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - Model FD-160 Rocking Chair This rarely seen high-back rocking chair by master-designer Ole Wanscher was produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark in the early 1960s....
Leather, Rosewood
H 39.5 in W 28.5 in D 31 in
20th Century Italian Mid-Modern Walnut Recliner Lounge Chair by ISA Bergamo
By ISA Bergamo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian recliner chair, Poltrona Relax made of hand crafted polished Walnut, produced by ISA Bergamo in good condition. The reading lounge chair is parti...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Walnut
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 31.5 in
Earl White Oak, Ivory Textured Linen Moresby Rocking Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This Rocker shown in white oak and maharam plume ciabatta ivory textured linen. In stock l...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
H 34 in W 30.25 in D 44 in
Paralax Lounge Chair, Walnut and Brown Mohair, for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Paralax Lounge Chair, Walnut and Brown Mohair, for Craft Associates This parallax modern lounge chair - 2002 - in mohair and walnut is expertly by crafted artisans. This chair boasts handcut foam and mohair The chair's base is constructed by hand in walnut with a commercial grade finish. This chair can be customized in different wood species. Craft Associates Furniture is proud each piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. Designer: Laura Trenchard Manufacturer: Craft Associates Modern Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, Mohair Yardage: 6 yards, 5.5 meters condition Craft Associates Modern lounge chair - 2002 - The Parallax...
Mohair, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan, Rare Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Fabric, Kagan Designs C. 1950
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in High Point, NC
A rare lounge lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for his own firm Vladimir Kagans Design. Designed c. 1950s, this example produced c. 1970. Features finely carved walnut, reuph...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan, Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Bouclé, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in High Point, NC
An early production adjustable lounge with retractable footrest. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for his own firm Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950. Branded. Features finely carved walnut, re...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Allan Gould, Lounge Chair, Walnut, Leather, USA, 1950s
By Allan Gould, Thayer Coggin
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and white leather lounge chair, designed by Allan Gould and produced by Thayer-Coggin, High Point, North Carolina, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15" All items ship from ...
Leather, Walnut
Arne Vodder, Lounge Chair, Teak, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Arne Vodder, Bovirke
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and beige fabric lounge chair, designed by Arne Vodder and produced by Bovirke, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15.5" Arm Height (inches): 21.75" All items ship from ...
Fabric, Teak
Argentine Designer, Rocking Chair, Wood, Fabric, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric rocking chair or lounge chair designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. Max Depth 48.0” Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 3...
Fabric, Wood
Guillerme & Chambron, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Oak, France, 1950s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in High Point, NC
A fabric and oak lounge chair designed by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron, produced by Votre Maison France, c. 1950. Wear consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand n...
Fabric, Oak
