Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 'Eternal Forest' Coffee Table

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Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 'Eternal Forest' Coffee Table

About the Item

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s rare sculptural Eternal Forest coffee table with circular top hand-crafted of acid-etched and patinated bronze over wood with patinated pewter and delicate tones of hand-painted polychrome enamels resting on a four star pedestal base cast in patinated bronze. This iconic LaVerne abstract design depicts a dense forest of trees or an ‘Eternal Forest’ described as a “Symbol of the continuity of life and growth, a peaceful unending forest stands before us”. Simple in its contemporary form and inspired by natural imagery, this functional work of art transcends time in its quiet poetic language. Incised signature to tabletop Philip Kelvin LaVerne and Philip LaVerne Galleries Ltd. WORKS of ART paper label affixed to underside. Father and son duo Philip (1907—1987) and Kelvin (born 1936) Laverne were widely recognized for their sculptural and historically influenced furniture although their oeuvre also included fine art and sculpture. From the mid-1950s through the 1980s, they utilized the centuries-old bronze casting techniques using low relief sheets in their works including cabinets, coffee and occasional tables among many other objects. They created a distinct blend of function and artistry while incorporating ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Greek archaeological and art historical references. Their uncommon techniques included applying patina and acid etching to mixed metals such as pewter, brass, and bronze. The furniture and sculpture of Philip and Kelvin Laverne is highly sought after today for its one-of-a kind quality and demonstrated mastery of functional decor. Literature: Sculpture II Bronze and Pewter Tables: The Art of Philip LaVerne, studio catalog, p. 2

Creator:
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Diameter: 42 in (106.68 cm)
Style:
Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Enamel,Pewter,Wood,Hand-Painted,Patinated
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1960s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. In excellent original condition with rich patination.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: LAV2021stDibs: LU2917321376892

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.