Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950s

Description

If you're a fan of Vladimir Kagan and are looking for a piece with a story, look no farther. This … more If you're a fan of Vladimir Kagan and are looking for a piece with a story, look no farther. This piece resided in the master bedroom of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson's Park Avenue apartment. This is the Kagan Family Custom Dresser and Desk, Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc., USA, circa 1950. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for he and his wife's bedroom-- this set is truly stunning.

Modular in nature, there is a dresser unit, that is flanked by a file cabinet, diagonally slatted drawers, and a drafting drawer for Kagan's pens. The unit has an attached drafting table with a drawer that features a multi-level adjusting lever where Vladimir Kagan himself used to sit and prepare his sketches.

Below the drafting table, you can see the groove to pullout the drawer was completely hand tooled.

This seat is comprised of hardwood, with rosewood veneer, brass legs and drawer pulls which have been polished back to their original glow, and a laminate top on the drafting table.

This set can be seen as documented in:
Martin Eidelberg, Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was, Abrams, p. 162
New York Social Diary, Vladimir Kagan, April 15, 2016

Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) was a German-born American furniture designer known for his sleek, modernist designs that combined organic shapes with high-tech materials.

Kagan began his career in the 1940s, working for his father's furniture business in Germany. He later immigrated to the United States and started his own design studio in New York City in 1949. Over the next several decades, Kagan created hundreds of iconic designs, including his signature "Sculptured Chair" and "Floating Sofa," which became icons of 1950s and 60s modernism.

Kagan's designs were celebrated for their sculptural quality and unique use of materials, such as fiberglass, lucite, and stainless steel. He also pioneered the use of ergonomics in furniture design, creating pieces that were not only beautiful but also comfortable to use.

Throughout his career, Kagan received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to design, including the American Society of Interior Designers' Designer of Distinction award in 1985 and induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2009.

Kagan's impact on the world of furniture design is incredibly significant. His work helped define the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, and his innovative use of materials and focus on ergonomics continue to influence designers today. His designs are highly sought after by collectors and are displayed in museums around the world.

This set is currently in our gallery with a set of Vladimir Kagan unicorn chairs, as well as a Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa, and everything he'd designed is effortlessly chic, clean and minimal-- they all look incredible together. Like other well known mid century designers like Milo Baughman, or Paul Evans, Kagan has left an indelible impact on the world of design and his popularity has only continued to grow. A wonderful heirloom piece that's been restored to its former glory. A piece any true collector will enjoy. less