'Barrel Sofa' in Grey Mohair by Vladimir Kagan, Signed and Registered with COA
View Similar Items
'Barrel Sofa' in Grey Mohair by Vladimir Kagan, Signed and Registered with COA
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.75 in (80.65 cm)Width: 83 in (210.82 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 20th Century
- Condition:Good vintage condition with minor wear. Ready to be used immediately. See description for more details.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330224019882
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.
- Vladimir Kagan for American Leather 'Zoe' Sofa in Grey Alcantara, SignedBy American Leather, Vladimir KaganLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis spectacular example of Vladimir Kagan design was produced by American Leather in 2012, in its original Alcantara (ultrasuede) in a medium grey color called 'Otter', signed under...Category
2010s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede
$8,600 Sale Price21% Off - Rare 'Unicorn' Leather and Aluminum Curved Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, c. 1963By Vladimir KaganLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis extremely rare and highly sought-after collectors piece by Vladimir Kagan is his Model #U-522 'Unicorn' curved sofa by Vladimir Kagan Designs Inc. designed and produced circa 1963, shortly after Kagan separated from Hugo Dreyfuss of Kagan-Dreyfuss. This investment grade collectible design features soft and supple light grey tufted leather over two aluminum 'Unicorn' bases, large enough to seat four people. There is not much comparison for this awe inspiring statement piece, ideal for an interior designer looking for a show-stopper that is fitting for the most demanding and critical client. Incredible design of utmost rarity and fabulous ready-to-use condition with that light patina you want to see. From an art/ design collector's perspective - this sofa is simply the bees knees...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
$50,800 Sale Price22% Off - Tan Leather Cloud Style Sofa with Lucite Leg by Weiman, c 1980s, SignedBy WeimanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis beautiful curvy and fluid Post-Modern sofa by Weiman is in soft and luxurious tan colored leather, features a single lucite leg and is signed underneath with a Weiman label. Designed by Robert L. Ebel and produced by Wieman in the 1980s and 90s, this curvaceous sofa was inspired by Vladimir Kagan's designs such as the 'Cloud' sofa by Directional, the 'Serpentine' sofa by Kagan...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Lucite
$4,300 Sale Price32% Off - Buffalo Leather Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll, c. 1988, SignedBy Knoll, Robert and Trix HaussmannLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis phenomenal buffalo leather three-seat sofa is by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll International (designed in 1988) and signed with Knoll decking fabric and Knoll Made in Ital...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
$12,700 Sale Price29% Off - Loveseat Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy, c 1970, SignedBy Claudio Salocchi, SormaniLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis newly reupholstered loveseat sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, circa 1970s, features a graceful chrome frame with nubby white bouclé fabric. Signed with 1960s/ 1970s Sormani label as shown in photo gallery. *Note, we have the matching pair of club chairs available in another listing. The graceful frame shares a design quality with Cassina's LC2 / LC3 design by Le Corbusier, as they are 'buckets of cushions' in similar fashion and comfort. However this Sormani sofa features some unique subtle details, such as the slight "twist" in the rear legs (see photos). Signed with a Sormani label, this particular rare design is attributed to Claudio Salocchi. While there were several other famous designers who created works for Sormani in this time period, the style best matches Salocchi's work. For collectors looking for something unique and rare within a collection of 1960s/ 1970s Italian designs, this pair two-seater couch is an amazing opportunity. This Cassina LC2 / LC3 loveseat...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
$4,320 Sale Price20% Off - Burgundy Leather Sofa by Pierluigi Cerri for Poltrona Frau, c 1990, SignedBy Poltrona Frau, Pierluigi CerriLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe burgundy leather is incredible on this Poltrona Frau circa 1990 Post-Modern sofa by Pierluigi Cerri. Featuring soft and supple Italian leather cushions over a ribbed leather wrapped (over steel) frame with smoked chrome legs, the rear has a floating leather shelf with manufactures brand embossed. The color is superb - see the close ups for better color representation. Ideal for rooms where you need a pop of deep beautiful color in comfortable seating. Use as a loveseat or settee but this two-seat sofa is large enough to fit three when needed. Comfortable cushioned armpads make it a nice place to take a nap. This burgundy leather couch...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Loveseats
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$4,100 Sale Price38% Off
- Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé by Directional, c. 1990By Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Saint Louis, MONewly and professionally reupholstered Post Modern Nautilus sofa in ivory white bouclé by acclaimed designer Vladimir Kagan and made by Directional circa 1980. Known for his love of ...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé by Directional, c. 1990By Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Saint Louis, MONewly and professionally reupholstered Post Modern Nautilus sofa in ivory white bouclé by acclaimed designer Vladimir Kagan and made by Directional circa 1980. Known for his love of ...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Fiftyish Sofa in Super Soft Ivory White BoucléBy American Leather, Vladimir KaganLocated in Saint Louis, MOA love for his 1950s wingback design motivated Vladimir Kagan to circle back and produce a more contemporary version he later named the Fiftyish Sofa. Vladimir Kagan's tendency to ov...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Marilyn Sofa in Ivory White BoucléBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Saint Louis, MOPost 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 Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Vintage Brass "Serpentine" Sofa After Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in North Hollywood, CAA stunning vintage "Serpentine" sofa after Vladimir Kagan for Directional. The sofa feature two brass bases and a distinctive curved frame that give this piece a delightful sculptura...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
$15,000 Sale Price20% Off - Rare Pair of Vladimir Kagan Designs Sofas / Loveseats, 1970sBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLRare pair of Vladimir Kagan Designs sofas / loveseats 1970s Early rare set of matching upholstered sofas, loveseats or settees on signature Kagan w...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Loveseats
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood