"Zoe" Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer),American Leather (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 90 in (228.6 cm)Depth: 42 in (106.68 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1990's
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Weehawken, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9470238589122
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: Weehawken, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- "Baisity" Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B ItaliaBy Antonio Citterio, B&B ItaliaLocated in Weehawken, NJSofa "Baisity" by designer Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. Very Comfortable three-seat sofa is with fabric pattern and red leather. Very good condition, considering its age. Origin...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric
- Three-Seater Sofa by Johan-Bertil HäggströmBy Johan Bertil HäggströmLocated in Weehawken, NJThree-Seater Sofa by John-Bertil Häggström for the Swedish manufacture Swed-Form, Skillingaryd during the 1970s. The sofa is upholstered in black corduroy with even quilting. The sea...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- "Bastiano" Sofa & Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for StendigBy Stendig Co., Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Weehawken, NJThree Piece "Bastiano" Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stending, 1960s. Original Labels Intact. Set Includes Three-Seater Sofa + Two Armchairs. Newly Reupholstered in a Beige Cott...Category
Antique 1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Percival Lafer ‘MP-97’ Rosewood and Leather SofaBy Percival LaferLocated in Weehawken, NJBeautiful color-way of the iconic Percival Lafer MP-97 Model. Wine colored leather & rosewood with camel color straps. Wear consistent with age. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Mario Bellini "Amanta" Chair Lounge Chair For B&B Italia, 1970'sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Weehawken, NJ"Amanta" Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. This piece has been re-upholstered in a striped velvet, making this piece 1/1. Only one chair is available. Fiberglass in ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Fiberglass
- Pair of Zoe Sofas by Vladimir KaganBy Vladimir Kagan, American LeatherLocated in Las Vegas, NVStunning pair of Zoe sofas by Vladimir Kagan. Have you been looking for that perfect pair, look no further. Sofas have been restored in a beautiful taupe tan tight knit tweed. The...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Vladimir Kagan Zoe Sofa, Newly UpholsteredBy Vladimir Kagan, American LeatherLocated in Raleigh, NCA striking sculptural sofa by Vladimir Kagan. This vintage sofa is newly upholstered in a luxurious mohair and ready for placement.Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan for American Leather Curved 'Zoe' SofaBy Vladimir Kagan, American LeatherLocated in Chino Hills, CAEmbrace 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 Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- Vladimir Kagan "Zoe Sofa"By Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILZoe sofa” by Vladimir Kagan. Original brown upholstery.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair White / Ivory Curved Leather Zoe Cloud Sofas by Vladimir Kagan, SignedBy Vladimir Kagan, American LeatherLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of two, mirror image, Ivory leather Zoe cloud sofas designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. These were manufactured in 2009 and have had very little use. We have tried t...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Vladimir Kagan Zoe Sofa for American Leather in Curly Teddy Bear Camel FabricBy Vladimir Kagan, American LeatherLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone needs a teddy bear and yours can be this chic Vladimir Kagan Zoe sofa newly upholstered in soft curly camel teddy bear fabric. Modern. In your face ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
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.