Vladimir Kagan Acrylic Barrel Lounge Chairs in Sheepskin, a Pair, 1970

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Sometimes, the most glamorous thing a chair can do is disappear. That’s exactly the magic trick Vladimir Kagan pulled off … Read more Sometimes, the most glamorous thing a chair can do is disappear. That’s exactly the magic trick Vladimir Kagan pulled off with these absolutely iconic acrylic barrel chairs. We currently have two pairs available, and they are nothing short of spectacular.

These chairs aren’t just furniture. They’re an experience. Upholstered in real creamy sheepskin, (none of that synthetic fluff) each seat is a tactile delight, inviting you to melt into luxury with a hint of rockstar attitude. The contrast between the warm, plush sheepskin and the cold clarity of the lucite frame is pure alchemy. They look like they’re floating in space, held together only by elegantly engineered circular chrome medallions that secure the seat to the frame at the sides and back. The design is so clean, so sculptural, it’s practically a wink to Charles Hollis Jones — with a little Gabriella Crespi allure thrown in for good measure.

The barrel backs aren’t just curved, they’re fluted ever so subtly, with a gentle outward splay at the top that adds a soft architectural gesture to an otherwise minimalist silhouette. Originally designed as barstools (because let’s face it, Kagan didn’t know how to do boring), these chairs were professionally shortened at the request of the woman of the house-- a patron of the arts, a philanthropist, and a certified glamazon, who transformed them into sumptuous, low-slung lounge chairs perfect for conversation, cocktails, or simply basking in your own good taste.

Now, about the provenance: these chairs have seen things. They came from the private collection of a family whose legacy spans both the arts and medical innovation-- we’re talking about a namesake arts center and cancer research facility. Their home was a rotating gallery of design royalty, and these chairs were part of that curated inner sanctum. Details available to serious buyers, of course.

As for Vladimir Kagan himself — if you know, you know. If you don’t, here’s a quick primer: born in Germany, Kagan immigrated to the U.S. and quickly became one of the most visionary forces in postwar American design. With a background in architecture and sculpture, he designed furniture that felt fluid, futuristic, and often ahead of its time. He championed curvilinear forms when others were still chasing Bauhaus boxes, and his work became synonymous with high-end collectors, celebrity homes, and iconic interiors. From the Omnibus sofa to the Serpentine chaise, his designs pushed boundaries; and these lucite barrel chairs are no exception.

These aren’t just vintage chairs; they’re living artifacts of mid-century glamour, reimagined for today. Think: Studio 54 meets Palm Springs art house, with a little bit of Copenhagen purity and a whole lot of editorial polish. Whether you place them in a glass-walled penthouse or a quiet reading corner, they’ll steal the spotlight without making a sound.

The original design can be seen on page 183 of "The Complete Kagan: Vladimir Kagan: A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design" See less