Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Aphrodite' Bronze Sculpture on Pedestal, 1960s Signed

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Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Aphrodite' Bronze Sculpture on Pedestal, 1960s Signed

About the Item

This incredible Philip and Kelvin LaVerne bronze sculpture on pedestal titled "Aphrodite" depicts a reclining nude 'Aphrodite' emerging from a block of bronze. Hand signed on the top by the artist and includes a laminate display pedestal, or you can place the sculpture on the floor and use it as a side or occasional table as shown in the photos. An interesting trick is to use this bronze sculpture on its pedestal during most occasions but when you have company and need an extra side table to place next to a chair or sofa - you can easily take the sculpture off of its pedestal and place on the floor for temporary use. Then when you your guests leave you can place it back onto its sculpture and out of the way. Perfect solution for people who entertain guests in smaller spaces. This highly sought after and fantastic example of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne fine art was designed and produced by the father and son team in the 1960s. The LaVernes employed cutting edge technology and masterful techniques to produce their functional works of art. This including using proprietary dirt which they would bury their bronzes in to achieve a natural patina. The clever use of contrasting surfaces, depths and textures is most unusual and adds dimension to the exotic design. Taken from the LaVernes about this piece: CUBES: Four abstract forms, magnificently cast in a timeless bronze. The burnished bronze surfaces are resistant to heat and stain. The intricate craftsmanship and artistry of this stunning Philip & Kelvin LaVerne 'Aphrodite' bronze cube sculpture on pedestal (or side table if used without stand) would be a great addition as part of a classic, contemporary, brutalist, chinoiserie, regency or mid-century modern living room, den, man or woman cave, family room, office or bedroom. It would also be an Apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique hotel lobby, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, executive office or in a luxe clothing emporium. Ideal for the art and design collector client or high-fashion interior designer. Literature: A similar example is illustrated in: "Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne, SCULPTURE III" studio catalog, pg. 34 and pg. 54. Artists Names: Philip LaVerne (1907-1987) Kelvin LaVerne (b. 1937) MEASUREMENTS: H 59" x W 16" x D 12" (Total Dimensions) H 16.5" x W 16" x D 12" (Sculpture Only) Stand is: H 42.5" CONDITION: Very good condition with negligible edge wear and excellent tonal variation to bronze throughout. Signed on top.

Creator:
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 59 in (149.86 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1960s
Condition:
Very good condition with negligible edge wear and excellent tonal variation to bronze throughout. Signed on top.
Seller Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1330220918692

Shop All Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Look closely at any vintage furniture designed by father-son duo Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and a cacophony of stylistic influences reveals itself.

The LaVernes’ position at the intersection of art and design was the result of their combined backgrounds: Philip (1907–87) studied painting with Ashcan School artist John Sloan at the Art Students League of New York, while his son, Kelvin (b. 1937), attended the Parsons School of Design, taking classes in art history, furniture design and metalwork. The resulting merge of stylistic elements and innovative processes make for singular designs that defy categorization, striking a balance between modern and traditional, intricate and minimal, art piece and functional item. Their work was also strikingly different from the modern furniture created by Philip’s brother Erwine and his wife, Estelle, of Laverne Originals.

The LaVernes began producing one-of-a-kind furniture and sculpture in the mid-1950s out of a studio on Wooster Street in New York City before opening a showroom on Manhattan’s East 57th Street. As their 1960s advertisements declared: “It’s not just functional and not just art, it’s an investment.”

The LaVernes married a stunning array of techniques and styles to achieve their singular, deeply layered look for one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces. Chinoiserie motifs abound on many of their acid-etched tables, but art from ancient Greece and Egypt also served as inspiration. The influence of figurative sculptors is evident in designs like coffee tables and side tables with bronze bodies serving as frames or bases; other pieces, meanwhile, have deeply detailed surfaces and strikingly simple silhouettes.

The duo developed their own unconventional methods — sometimes to an extreme — for finishing their pieces: Techniques employed by the LaVernes included acid washing and burying furniture underground in a mixture of soil and chemicals to achieve a desired patina through oxidation. While they sometimes used pewter and silver, bronze was one of their most commonly employed materials, either etched or cast and sometimes paired with glass tops. Their partnership ended when Philip died in 1987 and Kelvin shifted his practice to sculpture.

Find an extraordinary range of vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.