Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Width: 103.5 in (262.89 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. This whole set has been restored and refinished. There is some wear to the brass on the legs attached to the drafting table, knicks and scratches here and there to commensurate with usage for decades.
- Seller Location:Culver City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1139233879332
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: Culver City, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Rare Vladimir Kagan Credenza, Vladimir Kagan Designs, 1970sBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Culver City, CAThis credenza is a magnificent Vladimir Kagan collectors item. Featuring a maple veneered top and sides, with a lacquered body and chrome accent-- all sitting firmly atop of a pair of tall acrylic...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Vladimir Kagan Capricorn Dining Set for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950'sBy Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.Located in Culver City, CAEver 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
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsSteel, Iron
- Early George Nelson Eog Executive Desk with Return for Herman Miller, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely stunning Mid-Century Modern desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The Executive Office Group, NO 8000 Series...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
- Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler Credenza Wall Unit, Teak, 1958By Hans J. WegnerLocated in Culver City, CAStep into the mid-century magic with this Hans Wegner-designed wall unit from Ry Mobler, a true vintage gem born on April 28, 1958 (it's birthday is stamped on the back of the piece)...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
- Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Directional, in Chinoiserie Tiger VelvetBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated 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 Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated 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
- Important Double Dresser by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950s, SignedBy Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.Located in Los Angeles, CAThis very rare and important sculptural double dresser was designed by Vladimir Kagan and handcrafted by Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc during the 1950s in New York. Each of the two chests are s...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Modernist Dresser in Walnut, Italy 1950sLocated in Westport, CTA walnut dresser original from Italy, circa 1950-1959. Featuring swooping curves and sudden edges, the three doors open up to reveal 6 large drawers with an additional 3 drawers unde...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- American Modern Cerused Oak Eight Drawer Dresser, Circa 1950sBy Jack Van der Molen, Jamestown Lounge CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid Century American Modern dresser by Jack Van Der Molen for Americana Casual. This solid Oak dresser is equipped with eight drawers and sculptured l...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsOak
- Paul McCobb Low Credenza or Dresser, Planner Group, 1950sBy Winchendon, Paul McCobbLocated in Round Rock, TXOffered is a rare low credenza or dresser designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture. Featuring a solid maple four drawer chest (model 1504) that sits on top of a solid map...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsIron
- 1950s Red Lion Parquetry Front Mahogany Nine-Drawer DresserLocated in Chicago, ILExcellent build quality and design for this, circa 1950s modern nine-drawer long dresser. Beautifully wood grained mahogany parquetry front door that opens to reveal three sliding drawers. Six additional parquetry front drawers have patinated brass pulls and escutcheons. Pierced apron with sculpted legs. From Red Lion Furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Lane Furniture "Tower Suite" Oak & Rosewood DresserBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic 9 drawer dresser from the master builders of Altavista, Virginia's Lane Furniture. Part of their iconic mid-century "Tower Suite" collection, it features a ridged rosewood ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal