Exceptional Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Large Sectional Sofa Rust Bouclé
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 134 in (340.36 cm)Depth: 61 in (154.94 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Professionally reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6173229206512
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: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vladimir Kagan Large Sectional Custom L Shaped Sofa Rust bouclé Vintage CertifedBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAExceptional and substantial Vladimir Kagan custom unique L shaped sectional. This piece is designed as a multi-directional sofa, allowing access and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Vladimir Kagan Large Custom Double Sided Sofa White Bouclé Vintage, CertifiedBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAExceptional and substantial Vladimir Kagan custom unique double sided sofa. This piece is designed as a multi-directional sofa, allowing access and co...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Vladimir Kagan Stalagmite Large Floor Lamp Modern Brass Bubble Light, 1970s, USABy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAAn exceptional and unique Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Stalagmite floor lamp. Designed and created by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc, USA. This functional floor lamp is circa 1971 and in working condition. Brushed brass-finished anodized aluminum, walnut With cord and wall plug, currently wired for American voltage Property from the Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan Measures : (H: 37 3/4, W: 35 7/8, D: 16 in) Publication: Vladimir Kagan, The Complete Kagan...Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Vladimir Kagan Child’s Cubist Chair Angela Jolie and Brad Pitt, Walnut, USABy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAA wonderful child's cubist club chair that was commissioned by Angelina Jolie as a gift for her children, reflecting Brad Pitt's interest in contemporary American design. Sophisticated and playful constructed of walnut and fabric upholstery. Provenance Property from the Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan Literature Vladimir Kagan, The Complete Kagan...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood, Walnut
- Vladimir Kagan Baroness Throne Chair One of a Kind High Back Wing ChairBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAExceptional and one of a kind dramatic winged back chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Baroness Lambert. Shortly before Kagan's death, the Baroness had asked for the two chairs to b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsMuslin, Wood
- Vladimir Kagan Baroness Throne Chair One of a Kind High Back Wing ChairBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Philadelphia, PAExceptional and one of a kind dramatic winged back chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Baroness Lambert. Shortly before Kagan's death, the Baroness had asked for the two chairs to b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsMuslin, 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
- 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 for Preview 3 Piece Sectional Sofa, 1987By Preview, Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILVladimir Kagan by Preview 3 Piece Sectional sofa, 1987. Original upholstery.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vladimir Kagan Sectional for DirectionalBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Chicago, ILVladimir Kagan Sectional for Directional, with Great Plains boucle, new hand-cut foam, and wood legs. Depth 37" Back Height 30" Seat He...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Bilbao Sofa by Vladimir KaganBy Preview, Vladimir KaganLocated in Danville, CABilbao sofa by Vladimir Kagan. These sofas were some of Kagan's most Avant Garde creations and are quite dramatic. There is wear to the upholstery and it ...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- Thonet Large Serpentine Sectional SofaLocated in Pasadena, TXA Modern Sectional Sofa by Thonet Four separate sections providing for different serpentine configurations. Ebonized wooden arms and feet. Newly upholstered in a textured cream c...Category
1990s Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
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.