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Vladimir Kagan Furniture

American, German, 1927-2016

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.

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Creator: Vladimir Kagan
Search Within: Serpentine
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and iconic serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan. This sofa was purchased from Kagan about a decade ago and upholstered in a heathered lig...
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1950s Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Vladimir Kagan For Directional Serpentine Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Houston, TX
Vladimir Kagan For Directional Serpentine Sofa. Offered is a stunning curvaceous sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional Furniture Company in the 1980's. We offer this gorgeo...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa by Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Raleigh, NC
A classic cloud or serpentine sofa by Vladimir Kagan. Newly upholstered in a very light oatmeal or linen colored tweed, sturdy yet soft. Manufactured by Directional in the 1990s ...
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1990s Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Plush Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa by Directional. Newly upholstered in a beautiful plush lustrous mohair fabric. Light blue gray.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Lucite, Mohair

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exquisite vintage modern serpentine sofa, a stunning piece designed by the renowned Vladimir Kagan for Directional in the 1990s. This sofa features a captivating swirl...
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1990s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa, 2000
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Clound Sofa, 2000’s. Sofa is original white micro suede. Has 2 round plinth bases and 1 lucite leg in middle. There are a couple stains on...
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Early 2000s American Post-Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine sofa Directional USA 1999
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This sculptural lounge sofa, designed by the renowned Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the United States in 1999, stands as an iconic piece of modern furniture design. K...
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1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa, Model 150 BS
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Raleigh, NC
An incredible serpentine sofa from Vladimir Kagan designed in 1950. This example was originally upholstered in white leather with white lacquer bases, circa 2000. Now restored in a...
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Early 2000s North American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Curvy Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa with Lucite Base
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Bensalem, PA
Original Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa with original Directional tags please feel free to reach out with any questions
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1980s American Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional, Signed
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Iconic Mid Century Modern Vladimir Kagan serpentine cloud sofa for Directional, USA circa 1970's. This highly collectable and des...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Ultrasuede, Lucite, Wood

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Maharam Mushroom Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa by Directional. Newly upholstered in a beautiful mohair by Maharam.
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Lucite, Mohair

Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Original microsuede. Lucite leg on bottom in the middle. Tagged. A classic of postmodern design.
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1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Iconic Vladimir Kagan ‘Serpentine’ Sofa in Beige Upholstery
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, sofa model ‘Serpentine’, fabric, chrome-plated metal, United States, design 1950s, later production This sofa is designed by Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) and clearly e...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Vladimir Kagan, Walnut, Fabric, Monumental Serpentine Sofa, USA, 2000s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Manhasset, NY
Vladimir Kagan, Mid-Century Modern, Walnut, Fabric, Large Serpentine Sofa, USA, 2000s A large serpentine sofa designed and produced by Vladimir Kagan in the early 2000s. This exampl...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, United States, 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Antwerp, BE
A masterpiece of mid-century modern design, the Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa embodies the fluid elegance that defines his work. Its sweeping, organic silhouette invites both comfor...
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1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa in velvet for Directional USA 1999
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa in velvet for Directional USA 1999 Incredible sculptural lounge sofa, designed by renowned designer Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the U...
Category

1990s Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Exceptional Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Large Sectional Sofa Rust Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) Serpentine sofa, #150 Exceptional and large unique curvaceous form USA, newly upholstered rust color bouclé fabric, walnut base in good condition unmarked and comes with receipt from Haute Living...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Walnut

Vladimir Kagan “Serpentine” Sofa in Siena Mohair Velvet, USA, circa 1970
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa. This sculptural piece epitomizes Kagan’s signature fusion of organic elegance and modernist innovation. Upholstered in luxurious Siena mohair velvet. ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Sofa, 1970s Modernist Design, USA 1970
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage large serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional in the 1970s. This sculptural piece epitomizes Kagan’s mastery of organic, flowing forms, featuring a bold ki...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional in Heavy Boucle
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Step 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 a...
Category

1990s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Stunning Pair Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Directional Cloud Sofas Mid-Century
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous pair of Vladimir Kagan cloud serpentine sofas made by Directional. These pair retain their original periwinkle blue ultra-suede fabric in nice vintage condition-some wear sp...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Lucite

Vintage Curved Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional in the 1980s. Great flowing lines with signature disc bases and thick lucite center support. Fabric is origi...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Velvet
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Manhasset, NY
Vladimir Kagan, Directional, Mid-Century Modern, Curved Cloud Sofa, Beige Velvet, Lucite, USA, 1980s The Cloud Sofa, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in the 19...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Lucite

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for Directional in Heavy Ivory Boucle
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Let’s be real: this Vladimir Kagan sofa is an absolute dreamboat. Fully wrapped in a rich, ivory bouclé (yes, even that sexy double-disc base), it’s basically a cloud you can splay o...
Category

1990s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Bouclé

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Directional, in Chinoiserie Tiger Velvet
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
This Vladimir Kagan Cloud sofa is divine! This is not just any sofa; it's a fantastical journey into the world of design where comfort meets chic in the most delightful way possible...
Category

1990s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Velvet

20th Century American Lucite Four Seater Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American four seater Serpentine sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat backrest of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Lucite

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa Pouf in Boucle and Brass, Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Cue the spotlight and the swoon — because this signed Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa is not just iconic, it’s got range. From sultry curves to that double polished brass disc base, this D...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vladimir Kagan 5 Pc Serpentine Sectional Sofa with Maxwell Alameda Snow Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Vladimir Kagan serpentine 5 piece sectional sofa. This magnificent 1980s style masterpiece of a sofa is begging for a beautiful new home. This sofa features 5 separate pieces, each...
Category

1980s American Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa in Charcoal Black Fabric, U.S.A. 1970 s.
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, showcasing the designer’s signature curvilinear form and sculptural presence. Upholstered in a luxurious charcoal black fabric and brass ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Vladimir Kagan Acrylic Barrel Lounge Chairs in Sheepskin, A Pair, 1970
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Sometimes, the most glamorous thing a chair can do is disappear. That’s exactly the magic trick Vladimir Kagan pulled off with these absolutely iconic acrylic barrel chairs...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Sheepskin, Acrylic

Vladimir Kagan for American Leather Zoe Sofa in Grey Alcantara, Signed
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 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 Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Ultrasuede

Monumental Omnibus Sectional Sofa Designed by Vladimir Kagan, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental three-piece sectional Omnibus sofa by Vladimir Kagan, 1970s. This very large sofa would look great in any Mid-Century Modern or Contemporary home. The scale is wonderful, however, new upholstery is recommended. The lucite bases are in good condition with age-appropriate wear. A classic masterpiece! From the Complete Vladimir Kagan book...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Lucite

Vladimir Kagan for American Leather Curved Zoe Sofa
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Embrace the epitome of iconic design with this stunning vintage Mid Century "Zoe" Sofa, an homage to the legendary Vladimir Kagan's signature aesthetics. Designed by Kagan for Americ...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Suede

Vintage Vladimir Kagan Directional Cloud Sofa 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
This spectacular Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofa was produced by Directional Furniture in the 1980s and was just newly reupholstered in a gorgeous two toned velvet, and has the lucite ce...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Textile

Vladimir Kagan Crescent Lounge Chair in Ivory Boucle and Black Leather, 1970 s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
This chair is incredible. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for Vladimir Kagan Designs, this crescent chair is about as luxurious and beautiful as it gets. Completely overhauled and upholstered in a thick, high-pile, sherpa style boucle and wrapped in the most high-quality Italian black leather hide, this chair is great design at its best. Equal parts gorgeous and comfortable, this chair begs to be touched, sat in, and enjoyed. This Kagan crescent chair...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
If you're a fan of Vladimir Kagan and are looking for a piece with a story, look no farther. This piece resided in the master bedroom of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson's Park Avenue apartment. This is the Kagan Family Custom Dresser and Desk, Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc., USA, circa 1950. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for he and his wife's bedroom-- this set is truly stunning. Modular in nature, there is a dresser unit, that is flanked by a file cabinet, diagonally slatted drawers, and a drafting drawer for Kagan's pens. The unit has an attached drafting table with a drawer that features a multi-level adjusting lever where Vladimir Kagan himself used to sit and prepare his sketches. Below the drafting table, you can see the groove to pullout the drawer was completely hand tooled. This seat is comprised of hardwood, with rosewood veneer, brass legs and drawer pulls which have been polished back to their original glow, and a laminate top on the drafting table. This set can be seen as documented in: Martin Eidelberg, Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was, Abrams, p. 162 New York Social Diary, Vladimir Kagan, April 15, 2016 Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) was a German-born American furniture designer known for his sleek, modernist designs that combined organic shapes with high-tech materials. Kagan began his career in the 1940s, working for his father's furniture business in Germany. He later immigrated to the United States and started his own design studio in New York City in 1949. Over the next several decades, Kagan created hundreds of iconic designs, including his signature "Sculptured Chair" and "Floating Sofa," which became icons of 1950s and 60s modernism. Kagan's designs were celebrated for their sculptural quality and unique use of materials, such as fiberglass, lucite, and stainless steel. He also pioneered the use of ergonomics in furniture design, creating pieces that were not only beautiful but also comfortable to use. Throughout his career, Kagan received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to design, including the American Society of Interior Designers' Designer of Distinction award in 1985 and induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2009. Kagan's impact on the world of furniture design is incredibly significant. His work helped define the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, and his innovative use of materials and focus on ergonomics continue to influence designers today. His designs are highly sought after by collectors and are displayed in museums around the world. This set is currently in our gallery with a set of Vladimir Kagan unicorn...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vladimir Kagan Capricorn Dining Set for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950 s
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
Ever seen that iconic Slim Aaron's photo? You know, the one Poolside Glamour-- if you look right in the center of the photograph, underneath the yellow umbrella, you'll see this icon...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vladimir Kagan Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

Vladimir Kagan furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Vladimir Kagan furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Vladimir Kagan furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 281 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 8 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Vladimir Kagan were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, and Directional. Prices for Vladimir Kagan furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,190 and can go as high as $110,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,500.

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