On January 25, Freeman’s presents The Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan, which brings rare opportunities to own the works of one of the 20th century’s most inventive and influential designers—as well as works by others that Kagan himself lived with and loved. The sale, composed of just over 100 lots, is led by Kagan’s own Unicorn sofa, a 1960s design that is emblematic of Kagan’s marriage of elegant midcentury form with sensuous comfort. Many of the works on offer in the auction come directly from the Park Avenue apartment where Kagan lived with his wife Erica Wilson for almost fifty years; pieces from his oft-photographed living room in particular—including a colorful panel after Frank Stella as well as Kagan’s own green Omnibus sofa and Infinity coffee table, among others—will delight collectors of Kagan’s design. With art, furniture, and design objects from figures like Charles Green Shaw, Jason Crum, and James Hiroshi, The Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan chronicles not only the illustrious career of the late designer, but his own aesthetic fascinations and the works closest to his heart.
"Our parents found inspiration everywhere they went, and they collected prodigiously. Art and objects from primitives to Deco to modern – all of it influenced their work and filled their various homes. The personal collection of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson is so unique because it illustrates the journey from inspiration to the iconic designs that are so well known today. The family lived with all of these pieces – they became part of the rich fabric of our daily lives and now we are thrilled to share them with the public ensuring that our parent’s legacy will live on beyond them."
-Jessica Kagan Cushman
Lot 1
Charles Green Shaw (American, 1892-1974) Bookstall
Sold for $4,725
Estimated at $2,500 - $4,000
Lot 2
Charles Green Shaw (American, 1892-1974) Still Life
Sold for $3,780
Estimated at $1,000 - $1,500
Lot 3
Charles Green Shaw (American, 1892-1974) Forms in Flight
Sold for $1,512
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Lot 4
James Hiroshi Suzuki (Japanese/American, b. 1932) Poem in October
Sold for $11,970
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000
Lot 5
James Hiroshi Suzuki (Japanese/American, b. 1932) Gens
Sold for $16,380
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000
Lot 6
James Hiroshi Suzuki (Japanese/American, b. 1932) Untitled
Sold for $9,450
Estimated at $2,500 - $4,000
Lot 8
After Frank Stella (American, b. 1936) Metropolitan Museum M
Sold for $35,280
Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000
Lot 10
Jason Crum (American, 1935-2004) Untitled (Hexagon)
Sold for $2,772
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Lot 12
Alexander Archipenko (American/Ukrainian, 1887-1964) Les Formes Vivantes
Sold for $5,985
Estimated at $2,500 - $4,000
Lot 13
Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Study of Reclining Nude
Sold for $409
Estimated at $600 - $1,000
Lot 17
Erica Wilson (American, 1928-2011) Embroidery Panel, USA, 20th century
Sold for $1,260
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Lot 18
Robert Heitmann (American, b. 1922) Needlepoint Roundel for Tiffany & Co., USA, circa 1970
Sold for $3,780
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Lot 22
Kuba rug, Northeast Caucasus circa 1st quarter 20th century
Sold for $1,638
Estimated at $1,200 - $1,800
Lot 25
George Hunzinger (American, 1835-1898) Side Chair and Rocker, USA, circa 1876
Sold for $1,008
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Lot 30
Various Collection of Five Art Nouveau Picture Frames, England and Germany, circa 1900-1910
Sold for $1,008
Estimated at $400 - $600
Lot 43
Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Mosaic Table, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., USA, circa 1952
Sold for $4,095
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000
Lot 52
Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Marilyn Ottoman, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., USA, circa 1951
Sold for $10,080
Estimated at $1,000 - $1,500
Lot 53
Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Early Sideboard, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., USA, circa 1949
Sold for $1,512
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Lot 67
Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Contour Sofa, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., USA, circa 1956
Sold for $8,820
Estimated at $5,000 - $7,000