Original Vladimir Kagan ‘Cloud’ Sofa with Ottoman and Rare Sofa Table Ebony
About the Item
- Creator:Directional (Manufacturer),Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 95 in (241.3 cm)Depth: 35 in (88.9 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some normal wear, some spots.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1888339156732
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.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Miami, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Large Sofa Sectional with Tables and Storage, Mid Century Modern StyleBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Miami, FLLarge Sofa Sectional, custom-made for a Miami Beach House, consisting of six pieces that connect to each other, light gray fabric with black tapered wood legs. Two sofa tables covere...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood, Mahogany
- Beautiful Leather and Mahogany Sofa in the Style of Frits HenningsenBy Frits HenningsenLocated in Miami, FLBeautiful leather and mahogany sofa in the style of Frits Henningsen.Category
1990s American Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Mahogany
- Italian Sofa in the Style of Gio Ponti, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Miami, FLFantastic Italian sofa from the 1950s. Very much in the style of Gio Ponti.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Leather 'Capella' Sofa Cognac Leather RosewoodBy Illum WikkelsøLocated in Miami, FLBeautiful Rosewood sofa with cognac leather cushions designed by Illum Wikkelsø. All original condition. The Rosewood is beautiful with some normal age-related wear. The leather fe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Great Modern Sofa in Burnt Orange Velvet by SteelcaseBy Steelcase, Kazuhide TakahamaLocated in Miami, FLGreat modern sofa in burnt orange velvet made by Steelcase. In direct sunlight the orange color looks brighter.Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Anfibio Sofa Bed In Cognac Leather By Alessandro Becchi For GiovannettiBy Alessandro Becchi, GiovannettiLocated in Miami, FLOriginal Anfibio sofa bed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti Italy, cognac leather upholstery. The sofa can easily be converted into a bed, timeless design.Category
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Vladimir Kagan for Directional Cloud Sofas, a pairBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s for Directional in their original microsuede. Interested in a single sofa? Shoot us an email, we’re happy to split the set. This is an opposing pair that includes an armless...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 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 Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated 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 asymmetrical Cloud SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Fraser, MIPlease feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Vladimir Kagan Cloud Sofa. Vladimir Kagan serpentine cloud sofa. Original cream colored fabric. Best to recove...Category
Vintage 1980s Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Vladimir Kagan for Direction Cloud SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLAuthentic Vladimir Kagan for Directional “Cloud” Sofa. Original tan microfiber fabric. Some water marks on seat please see pictures. Label on bottom.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric