
Vladimir Kagan Curved Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional
View Similar Items
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
Vladimir Kagan Curved Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional

About
Details
- CreatorVladimir Kagan (Designer),Directional (Maker)
- Design
- DimensionsHeight: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 95 in (241.3 cm)Depth: 48 in (121.92 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- StyleModern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques
- Place of Origin
- Period
- Date of Manufacturecirca 1990
- ConditionReupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller LocationCosta Mesa, CA
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU922021493762
About the Design
Serpentine Sofa
About the Designer
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.
- Lou Hodges Walnut & Leather Sofa for California Design Group, 1970sBy Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CALou Hodges walnut and leather sofa for California Design Group, 1970s.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Alessio Tasca Acrylic Prism Sculpture for Fusina, circa 1970By Fusina, Alessio TascaLocated in Costa Mesa, CAAlessio Tasca Acrylic Prism sculpture for Fusina, circa 1970.Category
20th Century Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel
$423 Sale Price34% Off - Mario Bellini Brown Leather "Cab" Chairs for CassinaBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in Costa Mesa, CAMario Bellini Brown Leather "Cab" Armchairs for Cassina.Category
20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Jacques Henri Varichon "Galaxie" Chair for Steiner, circa 1969By Jacques Henri Varichon, SteinerLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJacques-Henri Varichon "Galaxie" chair for Steiner, circa 1969.Category
20th Century French Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Guido Faleschini Leather & Granite Credenza for Mariani, Italy, c. 1975By i4 Mariani, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGuido Faleschini Leather, Granite & Felt Credenza for Mariani, Italy, c. 1975. This design was distributed by Pace Collection.Category
20th Century Italian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGranite, Chrome
- Antonio Citterio "Domus" Wall Unit for B&B Italia, circa 1995By Antonio Citterio, B&B ItaliaLocated in Costa Mesa, CAAntonio Citterio "Domus" wall unit for B&B Italia, circa 1995.Category
20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum
$8,750 Sale Price30% Off
- Stunning Vladimir Kagan Curved Serpentine Cloud Sofa Mid-Century ModernBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning Vladimir Kagan curved serpentine cloud sofa for Directional. We are loving the Brunschwig and Fils and Dongia fabric this sofa has been re-upholstered with about 15 years ag...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Customizable Tacchini Julep Sofa Designed by Jonas WagellBy Jonas Wagell Design & Architecture, TacchiniLocated in New York, NYSoft, enveloping shapes characterize this family of upholstered pieces. Julep is influenced by the 1950s Avant-Garde movement, drawing upon its simplicity and grandeur, refined by a contemporary, romantic, feminine allure. Star of the series is the sofa, whose generous rounded lines provided evolutionary DNA for the entire collection – including an armchair, a chaise-longue and an ottoman – in an interplay of proportions and shapes that gave rise, little by little, to all the other versions. Fully upholstered, the seats look ample and full, yet convey a sense of lightness, thanks to the recessed base that invisibly lifts them off the floor. Designed...Category
2010s Italian Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Directional Cloud Sofa on Chrome BaseBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILDirectional furniture cloud sofa. Blue-grey mohair upholstery with chrome base.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
$10,000 Sale Price20% Off - Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa in Blue Microfiber by Directional FurnitureBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLOriginal Vladimir Kagan Cloud Serpentine sofa in blue microfiber by Directional Furniture Company. Original label underneath, Directional, Made in USA. Note: The sofa needs new foam ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede, Fabric, Lucite, Wood
- Vintage Brass "Serpentine" Sofa Attributed to Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in North Hollywood, CAA stunning vintage "Serpentine" sofa attributed to Directional. The sofa feature two brass bases and a distinctive curved frame that give this piece a delightful sculptural design, a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Curved Serpentine Sofa by Directional FurnitureBy DirectionalLocated in Culver City, CAThis sofa is beyond stunning! Circa 1994, this white sofa features a gorgeous flame stitch upholstery and is equal parts comfortable and beautiful. The sofa features 3 pieces and a w...Category
1990s Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Spectacular Vladimir Kagan Curved 3-Piece Cloud Sofa Sectional DirectionalBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJSpectacular Vladimir Kagan curved 3-piece cloud sofa sectional with Directional label. This rare sofa sectional retains its original orange br...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan “Zoe” Freeform Sofa, Organic Modernist, MicrofiberBy Room and Board, Vladimir KaganLocated in St.Petersburg, FLOrganic modernist sofa by Vladimir Kagan. Original upholstery is free of any major blemishes but does show signs of wear, such as areas that show more use. Would work well in a var...Category
Early 2000s American Organic Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Julep Curved Sofa in Bopha Fabric by Jonas WagellBy Tacchini, Jonas Wagell Design & ArchitectureLocated in Boston, MADesigner: Jonas Wagell Julep is influenced by the 1950s Avant-Garde movement, drawing upon its simplicity and grandeur, refined by a contemporary, romantic, feminine allure. Star of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
$10,789 / item - Extra Large Curved Midcentury Sofa Chaise in VelvetLocated in Compton, CASleep and clean lines define this extra large chaise sofa. With a kidney bean shape, it is upholstered in a lustrous silver velvet and is sure to stand...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
$4,495 / item
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILA nice Vintage Vladimir Kagan sofa that still retains a Directional label on the underside. Dimensions are approximate with a organic...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Ivory BoucleBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Culver City, CAThis sofa is truly a showstopper! Designed by Vladimir Kagan in the 1990's for Directional, this sofa features the iconic acrylic leg down the middle, has its original Directional ta...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé
$18,000 Sale Price25% Off - Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa, SignedBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Middlesex, NJKagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud SofaCategory
20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
$9,500 Sale Price29% Off - Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa by DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Raleigh, NCExpertly restored with new mohair upholstery on this iconic sofa. A classic designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional. A mate to this sofa is available. If you woul...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Mohair
- Vladimir Kagan Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Directional in Black MicrofiberBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Dallas, TXVladimir Kagan's iconic cloud serpentine sofa by Directional. This sofa is upholstered in black microfiber. They would both need to be reupholstere...Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Midcentury Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa for Directional, Lucite, BoucléBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern Massive Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa, Lucite, Bouclé. Rare example of Vladimir Kagan's iconic serpentine sofa winding to an incredible 10.5 feet long reupholstered in a nubby gray color bouclé. The sofa stands on two circular bases as well as Kagan's notorious Lucite stands - a staple of the designer's to achieve a unique floating effect. Sofa maintains an original Directional Inc...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsTextile, Lucite, Wood
Recently Viewed
View MoreRead More

A Short History of the World’s Most Iconic Designs
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Welcomes You to the Hotel Californian
A Spanish Colonial Revival gem in the heart of Santa Barbara has been reborn as a luxurious new boutique hotel.
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Trusted Global Delivery