Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Special 'Chan' Bronze Game Table, circa 1965, Signed

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Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Special 'Chan' Bronze Game Table, circa 1965, Signed

About the Item

This is a rare example of the Classic and highly sought after 'Chan' cocktail table but in a special form of a game table which can also be used as a center table or cafe / dining table, by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, produced in the 1960s. Ingeniously designed with hand carved bronze set into pewter then patinated and polychromed, this circular game table features four turned bronze legs with hand carved etchings to resemble antiquing beneath a circular bronze and pewter top etched with chinoiserie motifs. This table possesses all of its beautiful blue, green and orange polychroming and soft subtle patina throughout. An excellent and Fine example. Philip and Kelvin LaVerne's signature on the table's surface along with studio label underneath. *Note, the label states a height of 26.5" however spacers were added to increase the height to 27.5" and the spacers can be easily removed if desired, or can be increased if you wish to have a taller table height. This game table base design is seen in the Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Sculpture III' catalogue on page 31 with the Tao motif top. Normally this base is found with the Tao top however is a smaller 36" Diameter whereas this 'Special Chan' is a larger 40" Diameter top. This 'Special' version as denoted by the original label attached underneath indicates this was a custom request or special order. The "Chan" chinoiserie scene depicts Asian figures and horses in a walled compound set amidst arbors of wisteria and willow. The clever use of contrasting surfaces and textures is most unusual and add dimension to the exotic scene. It stands on an octagonal bronze base with contrasting inset panels. This rare, coveted, in-demand and sought-after dining 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 dining table, cafe or breakfast table, center table or game table. 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. The intricate craftsmanship of this stunning Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Special Chan game, center, cafe, breakfast or dining table 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: ”The Art of Philip & Kelvin LaVerne: Sculpture III” catalog, page 17, 31, 51 and 53: "CHAN 142 (TOP) - Renowned as the most colorful and interesting period of the ancient dynasties, the motif depicts a ceremony honoring the Emperor's son. Peasants bear a gift of sacred scrolls which promise eternal life and happiness to the young prince. Enhanced with natural patinas of delicate beauty, an octagonal pedestal of bronze forms the base. TAO GAME TABLE (BASE) - A cluster of turned bronze legs forms the base." Artists Names: Philip LaVerne (1907-1987) Kelvin LaVerne (b. 1937) Common misspellings: Phillip and Kevin Laverne, Philips and Kelven Lavern, Phillips and Calvin Leverne. CONDITION: Very good vintage condition, Top possesses normal use (minor) wear in a few areas. Presents well. Polychroming is present, light patina throughout. Sturdy and sound, ready for immediate use. MEASUREMENTS: Height 27.5" / Diameter 40" *a one inch wood spacer was added under the top, the natural height for this table is 26.5" if you remove the wood spacers. Or we can add a new larger spacer to boos the height 2" to a total of 28.5".

Creator:
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Diameter: 40 in (101.6 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Pewter,Hand-Crafted,Polychromed
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1960s
Condition:
Very good to excellent vintage condition. Ready for immediate use. Please see description for greater detail.
Seller Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1330219012542

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.