Vladimir Kagan Long Island Cloud Sofa for Directional with Lucite Leg Support
View Similar Items
Vladimir Kagan Long Island Cloud Sofa for Directional with Lucite Leg Support
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 94 in (238.76 cm)Length: 29 in (73.66 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Clean, no odors, foam is in great shape. Some white wall paint transfer on the back upper side. Upholstery recommended.
- Seller Location:St.Petersburg, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: coastalmod1stDibs: LU802928054912
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.
- Vladimir Kagan “Erica” Chaise With Lucite BaseBy Vladimir KaganLocated in St.Petersburg, FLAn iconic chaise lounge designed by Vladimir Kagan, model 6910, commonly known as the "Erica" chaise. This chaise, while designed in 1969, was likely made in the 1990s or early 2000'...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Vladimir Kagan Parsons Table in WalnutBy Vladimir KaganLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA signed Vladimir Kagan parsons square shaped table. Nicely figured walnut, measuring approx. 25 x 25 x 24.75" H.Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern End Tables
- Large Postmodern Serpentine Sectional with Stacked Base after Vladimir KaganBy Milo Baughman, Weiman Preview Furniture, DirectionalLocated in St.Petersburg, FLInteresting postmodern style sofa with a serpentine like shape. Great organic L shape sofa with an overall foot print of 106” x 106”. Back height is 29” and...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Rare Chaise by Jules Heumann for Metropolitan with Bronze FrameBy Jules HeumannLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA rare and unusual chaise or daybed by Jules Heumann for Metropolitan Furniture of San Fransisco, with original upholstery and bronze fi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze Chaise by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan ca' 1950'sBy Walter LambLocated in St.Petersburg, FLUnusual, early production chaise by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan, ca' 1950's. Beautiful patina, frame polished, new cotton cording.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsBronze
- Kofod Larsen Three Seat Danish SofaBy Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA classic three seat sofa designed by IB Kofod Larsen, manufactured in Denmark and distributed through Selig. Frames restored, new straps, re...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Ash
$4,320 Sale Price20% Off
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional, SignedBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated 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
- 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
- Vladimir Kagan Chaise Lounge for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILThis Mauve Scalloped Chaise Lounge, is a masterpiece designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional in the 1980s. It exudes timeless elegance and s...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa, DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Raleigh, NCExpertly restored with new mohair upholstery on this iconic sofa. A classic designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
Sold$16,495 - 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
- 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