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Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

American

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.

Average Sold Price
$14,663
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "La Famille" Sculpture Art Installation 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind life size art installation, "La Famille", in solid cast bronze with father and mother and daughter holding a patinated bronze and pewter table top, incorporating an abs...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Adam and Eve" Wall Sculpture 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Rare wall sculpture, "Adam and Eve" in solid cast pewter by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (original gallery label on back states “ADAM & EVE in pewter by Philip and Kelv...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Pewter

Bronze Cocktail or Large Side Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A gorgeous bronze acid-washed cocktail table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, circa 1960s New York. Philip and Kelvin LaVerne's signature acid etched on table surface. The intricate craftsmanship of this stunning acid etched bronze coffee / tea table (also works great as a large side or end table) in a square shape with bronze legs and stretchers by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne is similar to the 'Classical' table but without the etchings and 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 collector client or high-fashion interior designer. Documentation: 'The Art of Philip & Kelvin LaVerne' catalog, c. 1965, page 11 and 39: "The eternally inspiring Muses, fittingly extolled in art, their details deftly softened to allow the beauty and strong tonal quality of rich bronzes to dominate." 'The Art of Philip & Kelvin LaVerne: Sculpture II' catalog, c. 1966, page 12 and 42: “Three separate bronzes inlaid by hand create one solid background of magnificent light and dark brown bronzes. The design is the eternally inspiring theme of Muses, Dance, Poetry, Music and Drama are portrayed.” 'Sculpture III' catalog, c. 1967, page 7 and 50: “The eternally inspiring "Muses" of antiquity, as sculpted by hand in timeless bronze. One views 'Calliope," goddess of poetry, "Euterpe," goddess of music...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Unique "Etruscan Spiral Extension Dining Table", 1960s
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind "Etruscan Spiral Extension Dining Table" with extensions the fit on each end in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-painted polychrome enamels and unique pierced bronze bases by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne (signed “Philip Kelvin LaVerne” on side of tabletop with original paper labels on leaves). This table was made specially for Fred and Edith Horowitz, personal friends of the LaVernes. Their initials are incorporated into the bases as part of the design; “EH” on one base and “FH” on the other base. There are rods that come out from inside the table to support the leaves; they lock in place to give the leaves solid support. This table is exceptional in every way and represents the best of the LaVernes’ art and ingenuity. The abstract graphic design on the table top is simply stunning with beautiful coloration. The pattern is continuous from the table top onto the leaves. There is a felt lined wood case which the LaVernes made for the leaves. With the leaves, this table is 112 inches long. Reference: Sculpture II The Art of Philip LaVerne catalog published in the 1960’s, there is a photo on page 15 which shows a smaller model with the title “Page 15 - Estruscan Dining Table”. In the back of the catalog is the description, “Intricacy of interwoven bronze and pewter, hand sculptured to form the arabesques of this subject, combine in a supremely elegant motif. The feeling of an ancient Etruscan coin...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

Philip & Kelvin Laverne Pair of "Chinois Plaques", 1960s, 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Chinois Plaques", models 101 and 102, in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-painted colorful enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). These are iconi...
Category

1960s American Chinoiserie Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Enamel, Pewter, Bronze

Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Unique Pair of Paintings "Redemption" 1960s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Pair of unique Impressionist paintings on bronze and pewter "Redemption" with colorful enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960s (signed twice on one and once on the other “...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

Bronze 'Chan' Coffee or Large End Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare iteration of the classic and highly sought after 'Chan' coffee table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (New York), produced in the 1960s and signed with the artists names on the top (see photos). Ingeniously designed with international patination and polychromed bronze and pewter, this rare form coffee table which also functions excellent as a large end table...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze, Pewter

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "The Passion" Female Nude Painting 1970 (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
"The Passion", a unique Impressionist painting on patinated bronze and pewter with blue enamels, intricate inlays and stepped bronze framing by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

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Philip And Kelvin Laverne furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne furniture, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Warren Platner, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Silas Seandel. Prices for Philip and Kelvin LaVerne furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £3,365 and can go as high as £176,276, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £15,985.

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