Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Abstract #1" Sculpture Dining Table 1980s 'Signed'
About the Item
- Creator:Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 96 in (243.84 cm)Depth: 48 in (121.92 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 2 piece "Etruscan Spiral Dining Table" 1960s (Signed)By Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYUnique 2-piece "Etruscan Spiral Dining Table” in patinated bronze and pewter with etched abstract design by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960's (signed...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBronze, Pewter
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Unique "Etruscan Spiral Extension Dining Table", 1960sBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYOne-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 1970’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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBronze, Enamel, Pewter
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Abstract Wall Sculpture "Dialogue" 1960s (Signed)By Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYRare abstract wall sculpture "Dialogue" in carved patinated bronze and pewter with hand-painted colorful enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). This piece ret...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsBronze, Enamel, Pewter
- Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Unique Side/Center/Dining Table 1960s (Signed)By Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYUnique side/center table titled "Surprise" in patinated hand-brazed bronze with inset pewter medallions, square form with concave sides, by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBronze, Pewter
- Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Generation" Sculpture 1970s (Signed)By Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYRare and important sculpture "Generation" with cast bronze figures and table top in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1970’s ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBronze, Enamel
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important Cast Sculpture 1960s (Signed)By Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NY“Femme de Menage” aka “La Bonne”, a very rare and important large figural bronze sculpture attained via lost wax process, table with hand-painted abstract enamel decoration, by Phili...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze, Enamel, Pewter
- Philip & Kelvin LaVerne TableBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NY“Ballet Dancer” Unique Center Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne. Studio made table with welded, hammered and hand-worked base. Sculptural base with ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Philip & Kelvin LaVerne TableBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NY"Eternal Guardians," Unique Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne. Early, brutalist side table of bronze. Sculptural base and irregular-shaped top with striated line texture, and small t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Philip & Kelvin LaVerne TableBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NY“Dance of the Fauves” Low Table by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne. Studio made bronze sculptural table with poly-chromed top. One of only two examples known to have been made in this size. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Generation' Bronze Sculpture Table, c. 1964, SignedBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 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
Vintage 1960s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne TableBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NY"Festival" Console Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. Bronze, acid-etched and patinated pewter, ebonized wood. Artist signed.Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBronze, Pewter
- Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Side TableBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in Chicago, ILPhilip & Kelvin LaVerne side tables with abstract pattern, signed.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
