Caned Sculptural Cabinet by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House, 1950s, Signed
This very rare sculptural caned cabinet was designed by Vladimir Kagan and crafted by Grosfeld House during the 1950s in New York, documented in early Grosfeld House advertisements (see photos). Featuring sculpted legs, a caned door (with original unaltered caning in excellent vintage condition) with brass handle, and interior outfitted with two compartments, one side with an adjustable shelf. While the cabinet is small in size, it is huge in personality.
Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s for Grosfeld House and Kagan-Dreyfuss are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company, but for true connoisseurs of Kagan, simply put: the 1950s was the bees knees.
This small cabinet was acquired along with several other Grosfeld House pieces also designed by Kagan, including a caned desk (now sold to a very famous celebrity client), leather swivel desk chair with sculptural base, rare and coveted four-seat sofa with swiveling lounge chair, very rare set of four nesting tables, and a pair of rare Kagan-Dreyfuss sculptural caned armchairs. Photos of the house interior with these pieces in situ available upon request. While the desk has sold, the other items are available at the time of this post.
This Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House sculpture cabinet with caning would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Space Age Mod, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Post-Modern, Contemporary or Zen / Minimalism room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Hollywood Regency, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office.
MEASUREMENTS:
H 22" x W 32" x D 16.5"
CONDITION:
Newly restored, ready for immediate use. Caning is original and unchanged or altered. We simply refinished the exterior wood of the cabinet and gave it a nice hand polish. Brass handle was lightly hand polished, and exhibits lovely light patina.