Armchair
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM
Walnut, leather
DATES
ca. 1953
DIMENSIONS
34 1/2 x 22 7/16 x 25 in. (87.6 x 56.9 x 63.5 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
no marks
SIGNATURE
no signatures
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
1991.255.2
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the artist
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Walnut armchair with leather upholstery, metal screws; all members have elegant, soft rounded profile and give appearance of continuous frame. Flared rectangular back with fitted upholstered cushion; stiles continue into rear legs; arms extend outward from side of back frame in opposing concave curves, and then curve sharply downward to form front stiles and legs. Rear and front stiles / legs carved in opposing concave curves and are joined below seat level with continuous stretcher. Running between these two stretchers, an H-shaped seat rail curves upward and supports a flared rectangular, upholstered seat cushion, which appears to float, and is secured with screws. Legs have metal floor glides.
CONDITION - Good/fair: wood finish shows heavy wear from use especially on upper side of arms; upholstery beginning to dry and crack, shows wear from normal use but no tears, two scratches toward rear of seat; overall dirt and paint or other substance splatters.
CAPTION
Vladimir Kagan (American, born Germany, 1927–2016). Armchair, ca. 1953. Walnut, leather, 34 1/2 x 22 7/16 x 25 in. (87.6 x 56.9 x 63.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 1991.255.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1991.255.2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall,
CUR.1991.255.2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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Who is this chair made by?
This chair was made by the German-born designer Vladimir Kagan in the early 1950s. After moving to the US as a child in 1938, he was taught how to make furniture by his father, who was a master cabinetmaker. Kagen was a celebrated designer in the 1950s and 60s - his clients included Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol!
