Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
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.
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Creator: Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Dealer: Automaton
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Generation' Bronze Sculpture Table, c. 1964, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This important and documented bronze sculpture table named "Generation" by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne was sculpted circa 1964 and a similar example was featured on the cover of “Phili...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Pewter
Bronze Wall Relief Fine Art by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This work of fine art by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (New York, 1960s) is a beautiful bronze and pewter wall relief which displays two young sisters leaning out of a latticed window fr...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
'Generation' Bronze Sculpture Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, c. 1964 Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This important and documented bronze sculpture table named "Generation" by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne was sculpted circa 1964 and was featured on the cover of “Philip & Kelvin LaVerne: Sculpture III". Its large size allows this to be used as a coffee or cocktail table, console table or display table or can be simply displayed as sculptural fine art.
This pièce de résistance for collectors of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne is exceptionally rare and highly coveted. Within one single work of functional fine art the artists explored several different techniques the LaVernes were known to employ. Two heavy cast bronze figures, a boy holding a cat and the opposite side a girl, holding the table top which features a gorgeous torched bronze surface with inlaid colorful enamels, one bearing the LaVernes signature. Another acid washed bronze...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Rare 'Odyssey' Bronze Cocktail Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare and large 48" inch 'Odyssey' bronze and pewter cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, produced in the 1960s. Ingeniously designed with polyc...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
'Kang Tao' Bronze Dining Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, c. 1965, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For collectors of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, the pièce de résistance is this highly coveted double-signed 'Kang Tao' dining table. Given so few LaVerne's were...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Pewter
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Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Adam and Eve" Pierced Bronze Painting 1960s
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Located in New York, NY
Important "Adam and Eve" pierced bronze painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne and hand-brazed sculptured frame by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Amer...
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Philip and Kelvin Laverne Bronze Figural Side or End Table, Signed
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Previously Available Items
Pair of Milo Baughman Nightstands and 'Classical' Table by P&K LaVerne
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Combined listing of 'Classical' table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and pair of refinished large nightstands by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.
The 'Classical' cocktail table by Ph...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
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'Chan' Bronze Cocktail Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic and highly sought-after collectors item is a 42" 'Chan' cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, handmade in the 1960s. Ingeniously designed pol...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
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Bronze, Pewter
Rare 'Odyssey' Bronze Cocktail Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare and large 48" inch 'Odyssey' bronze and pewter cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, produced in the 1960s. Ingeniously designed with polyc...
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Bronze 'Muses' Cocktail Table by Philip & Kelvin Laverne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Classical' cocktail table (also known as 'Muses' and 'Zodiac') by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne in etched bronze, circa 1960s New York. This fine LaVerne example is the 'Classical' ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze
H 18 in W 32 in D 32 in
'Lo Ta' Bronze Side Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, c 1965, Double Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For collectors of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, this incredible limited edition double-signed 'Lo Ta Hexagonal Cube' polychromed and etched bronze and pewter side table on casters is functional fine art created in the 1960s by New York father and son team. This design and motif is described by the LaVernes as "Lo Ta Hexagonal Cubes - Created in a limited edition, a trio of functional sculptures, each having an Oriental design sculpted on all sides. Burnished functional bronze surfaces complete the sculptures."
This oh-so-gorgeous and oh-so-rare 'Lo Ta' side table features a similar motif to the 'Tao' and 'Su-Tao' series in patinated etched bronze and pewter containing hand applied polychrome with gorgeous artistic etchings of an Asian scenery depicting the panorama of life in ancient China with weeping willows, buildings and people in ancient formal garbs, with the top finished in intentionally-patinated acid washed bronze similar to the 'Classical' series, completed in the 1960s by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, a father and son American artisan team. Signed on two sides with Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne's signature. Resting on casters which allows for ease of relocation, and underside covered in a burnt orange colored felt.
This rare, coveted, in-demand and sought-after occasional table is best described as a functional sculpture. Philip and Kelvin considered themselves artists, rather than furniture makers, and their gallery motto was "Works of Art". So for most of the collector and antique dealer world, we consider this a sculpture that can be used as a side table, end table, drinks table, bedside table, occasional table, tray table, TV-dinner table, laptop computer table great for Zoom meetings, writing and notes table, telephone table, lamp table, sculpture pedestal, or just as a stand-alone work of art. It is sturdy and structurally sound, and since the materials are of a strong and robust nature - it is absolutely suitable for every day use. But of course, if you prefer, you can place it in your room purely for viewing purposes, it is similar to any other piece of quality Fine Art that you would otherwise place on a museum wall.
This incredible work of art still retains its original hand applied polychroming. Often this gets removed through vigorous over-cleaning and can affect its long term value. This table possesses all of its beautiful blue, green and orange polychroming and soft subtle patina throughout. An excellent and fine example for the distinguished connoisseur, collector or art and design investor.
This 'Lo Ta' Chinoiserie side table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne is an incredible option for the most discriminating client or collector. Consider for a Mid-Century Modern, Modern, Post-Modern or Contemporary home. Also an interesting addition of Juxtaposition in a French neoclassical, Traditional, Spanish, Transitional or Hollywood Regency room. Due to its formidable materials, this is suitable for residential or commercial use, perfect for any magazine-cover-worthy interior design project.
DOCUMENTATION REFERENCE:
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Sculpture III, Paper Catalog, 1960s.
Shown on page 37, description states, “LO TA HEXAGONAL CUBES - Created in a limited edition, a trio of functional sculptures each having an Oriental design sculpted on all sides. Burnished functional bronze surfaces complete the sculptures”.
COMMON MISPELLINGS:
Phillip and Kevin La...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
H 17.25 in W 18.5 in D 10 in
Large 48" Bronze 'Chan' Cocktail Table by Philip & Kelvin Laverne, 1960s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the large 48" version of the classic and highly sought after 'Chan' cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (New York), produced in the 1960s and sig...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Pewter
'Classical Boucher' Bronze Coffee Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an excellent collectors example of the rare and sought after 'Classical Boucher' sculpted oval cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, produced in t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
H 16.5 in W 60.5 in D 31.5 in
Bronze 'Classical' Cocktail Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Classical' cocktail table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne in etched bronze, circa 1960s New York. This fine LaVerne example is the 'Classical' motif described by Philip and Kelvin ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
H 15.5 in W 48 in D 36 in
Sculpted Oval Bronze Coffee Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an excellent collectors example of the rare and sought after 'Classical Boucher' sculpted oval cocktail table by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, produced in t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
H 16.75 in W 60 in D 31 in
Eternal Forest Bronze Drinks / Laptop Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, c 1965
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For collectors of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, the pièce de résistance is the highly coveted and incredibly sought after "Eternal Forest" table due to the fascinating and mesmerizing motif which is also a rare one to find. What makes this particular Eternal Forest table so unique is its rare form - the Eternal Forest is normally found as coffee or dining tables, this very rare and possibly unique one of a kind table was made into a two-tiered dining-table-height occasional table suitable for so many creative uses which we describe below, but our favorite is as an easy to relocate laptop table...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
H 29.25 in W 18.5 in D 13 in
Rare Bronze 'Classical' Cocktail Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare example of the 'Classical' acid etched bronze cocktail table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne utilizing the base style of the large rectangular 'Chin Ying' design, signed on the t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Furniture
Materials
Bronze
H 15 in W 70 in D 30 in
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 Brown Saltman. Prices for Philip and Kelvin LaVerne furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $225,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $19,500.
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