Vladimir Kagan for Directional Sofas in Holly Hunt Mohair
View Similar Items
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Sofas in Holly Hunt Mohair
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 98 in (248.92 cm)Depth: 48 in (121.92 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Both have been fully reupholstered in Holly Hunt "mushroom cap" mohair and have had the foam updated. The original lucite middle-legs were damaged so we had two new one custom-fabricated. See pictures for details.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7076236806482
Serpentine Sofa
The voluptuous contours of Vladimir Kagan's (1927–2016) 1950 Serpentine sofa were designed to bring people together.
The S-shaped piece provided both flexible group seating on an armless form as well as a focal point for mid-century entertaining. Unlike most sofas, this one was not designed to be pushed against a wall. Also, people were not supposed to sit on the Serpentine in a row. Rather, the sofa presided over the center of the room as a swoosh of plush seating. The original design included casters so it could easily be maneuvered around for a party or to provide a better view of new art on the walls.
Born in Germany, Kagan’s interest in furniture began with his father, a Russian master cabinetmaker. Following the rise of the Nazis, a young Kagan immigrated to the United States in 1938 and shortly thereafter enrolled as an architecture student at Columbia University. Nearly 15 years later, Kagan opened his first furniture company. His concept of modern living was featured in the furniture designs at the Monsanto House of the Future, which was on view at Disneyland from 1957 to 1967.
Upholstered in inviting materials, such as seductively hued velvet and Alcantara, Kagan’s furniture demonstrated how modernism could be beguiling even while breaking with the rigid norms of the past. Reflecting the biomorphic shapes in art and sculpture that such creators as Isamu Noguchi promoted as well as celebrating Scandinavian design, each piece was made for both comfort and form in its organic shape.
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.
- Sistema 61 Sofa by Giancarlo Piretti in Holly Hunt SuedeBy Giancarlo Piretti, CastelliLocated in Chicago, ILSigned c. 1970s and fully reupholstered in Holly Hunt Suede. This set is fully modular. Each piece can be removed and rearranged. Metal connectors that reach deep under the sofa give...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- Paul Evans for Directional LampBy Directional, Paul EvansLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1970s w/ age appropriate dings and wear. Please see photos for additional informationCategory
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- George Mulhauser Chair & Ottoman for DirectionalBy George Mulhauser, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1970s with original suede upholstery. There are some stains and wear present, but we like the look of used suede. Please refer to the photos for additional information Ottoman - ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$3,850 / set - Michael Ducaroy “Togo” SofaBy Michel DucaroyLocated in Chicago, ILThis version is authentic and was produced by Airborne / Arconas in the 1970s. It does not have its’ original tag although the imprint from it is left underneath the sofa. However, t...Category
Vintage 1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 1970s Solid Walnut SofaLocated in Chicago, ILthis piece has been fully refinished and restored. The cushions are new and it has been reupholstered in a vintage, dead stock wavy check fabricCategory
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$7,250 - Sistema 61 Lounge Chairs w/ Ottoman by Giancarlo Piretti in Holly Hunt SuedeBy Giancarlo Piretti, CastelliLocated in Chicago, ILSigned c. 1970s and fully reupholstered in Holly Hunt Suede. This set is fully modular. Each piece can be removed and rearranged. Metal connectors that reach deep under the chair giv...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSuede
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Holly Hunt MohairBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Dallas, TXVladimir Kagan serpentine sofa by Directional. Newly upholstered in a beautiful mohair fabric by Holly Hunt.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional in Tan MohairBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Culver City, CAStep into the realm of luxury and design with this iconic Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa! Crafted with the finesse of a sculptor, this masterpiece is not just a piece of furniture; it's ...Category
1990s Modern Sofas
MaterialsMohair
- Vladimir Kagan Sectional for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILVladimir Kagan Sectional for Directional, with Great Plains boucle, new hand-cut foam, and wood legs. Depth 37" Back Height 30" Seat...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional, SignedBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Lambertville, NJIconic Mid Century Modern Vladimir Kagan serpentine cloud sofa for Directional, USA circa 1970's. This highly collectable and desirable modern designer sofa features original blue U...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede, Lucite, Wood
- 1990s Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Wave' 3 Seat SofaBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Houston, TXRare "Wave" three-seat sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, c.1990s. Known to draw inspiration from nature and his surroundings, Kagan styled these beautiful pieces after...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé
- Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s. Reupholstered in charcoal fabric. Lucite leg on bottom in the middle. Tagged. A classic of postmodern design.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
Recently Viewed
View AllRead 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.