Stunning Pair Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Directional Cloud Sofas Mid-Century
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 96 in (243.84 cm)Depth: 48 in (121.92 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 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:circa 1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This pair is in nice vintage condition retaining its original periwinkle blue ultra-suede. The fabric shows only mild wear with some light spots on one of the back cushions-see photos. Some minor indentation to back top-see photos-hard to notice.
- Seller Location:Pemberton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU943229677922
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Pemberton, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 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
- Gorgeous Pair of Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas Mid-Century Modern PreviewBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJGorgeous pair of Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofas made by Preview. Sculptural modern sofas designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undul...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofa Mid-CenturyBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJA sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. This sofa is one of Kagan's most Avant Garde ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Leather Bilbao Sofa Mid-centuryBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJA sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. I do have a pair of these gorgeous sofa both ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood, Leather
- 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 brown...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Rare 2 Tier Vladimir Kagan Omnibus Chaise Lounge Sofa Lucite Mid-Century ModernBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJRare Vladimir Kagan Omnibus 2-tier chaise lounge sofa. These pieces rarely come to market and would complement any existing Omnibus sofa sectional. We have several Kagan Omnibus sofa...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- 1990s Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa for DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Boston, MAVladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud sofa for Directional, circa 1990s. Postmodern curves and design. Lucite bar complimented by two ro...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 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 des...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede, Lucite, Wood
- Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for DirectionalBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated 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 Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Directional, in Chinoiserie Tiger VelvetBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Culver City, CAThis 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 Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- 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
- Vintage Vladimir Kagan Directional Cloud Sofa 1980sBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILThis 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
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsTextile
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.