Bilbao Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
About the Item
- Creator:Preview (Maker),Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 95 in (241.3 cm)Depth: 45 in (114.3 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1990
- Condition:Upholstery has some light wear and should be replaced.
- Seller Location:Danville, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU82647254943
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Danville, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Butaque Sofa by Clara PorsetBy Clara PorsetLocated in Danville, CAClara Porset Butaque sofa from an important architectural masterpiece designed by Ricardo Legarreta in Emeryville California. Part of a reception ...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Organic Modern Sofas
MaterialsOak
- MB 01 Daybed Sofa by Cees BraakmanBy Cees BraakmanLocated in Danville, CACees Braakman for Pastoe, Daybed MB01, in a curved birch plywood and red leather. This piece is offered in as-is condition with a more victorian feel; a darker stain and nailhead tri...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Bentwood
- Lounge Chair by Kipp Stewart for Calvin FurnitureBy Kipp StewartLocated in Danville, CAHandsome occasional chair with mahogany frame meticulously refinished in dark brown lacquer and upholstered in luxurious charcoal grey velvet. All work done with painstaking quality...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Mahogany
- Fine Rift Oak Dining Table by Johan TappBy Johan TappLocated in Danville, CAFinely crafted rift oak dining table by Johan Tapp. Comes with one leaf. Refinished. Measures: 82" long with its single 16" leaf. All work done wit...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsOak
- Night Stand or End Table by Paul LaszloBy Paul LaszloLocated in Danville, CABi-level nightstand or end table with canted front drawer by Paul Laszlo. The table has been freshly refinished in Espresso lacquer.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMahogany, Lacquer
- Ochre Mohair Swivel Chairs by AdM BespokeLocated in Danville, CASwivel egg chair in the French Midcentury style. This sophisticated chair is upholstered in luxurious heavy weight, Muslin backed Orange/Ochre knit Mohair. This super stylish and ver...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- 3 Piece Modular Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988By Vladimir Kagan, PreviewLocated in Chicago, IL3 Piece Modular sectional sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988. Original white fabric is in good condition. There is a spot on one cushi...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Vladimir Kagan for Preview 3 Piece Sectional Sofa, 1987By Vladimir Kagan, PreviewLocated in Chicago, ILVladimir Kagan by Preview 3 Piece Sectional sofa, 1987. Original upholstery.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Sloane Sectional Sofa by Vladimir KaganBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Atlanta, GAEstablished in 2008, the Vladimir Kagan Couture collection features a selection of the Classic Kagan designs from 1950s to his new designs from 21st century. One of the new designs on offer here is the New Moon sofa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Wood
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Dallas, TXA 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...Category
Vintage 1950s Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Vladimir Kagan Bilbao SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Toronto, CATimeless Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofa for your consideration. Iconic sculptural design, inspired by the Bilbao Guggenheim. Incredibly preserved p...Category
Vintage 1980s Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Polyester
- 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