PHILIP & KELVIN LAVERNE
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne were a father-son duo renowned for creating unique and limited-edition furniture pieces that blended functionality with display-worthy art. Their innovative approach combined traditional styles with cutting-edge techniques, resulting in distinctive patinated and sculpted bronze tables and cabinets. Their production methods were more in line with today's avant-garde designers than the mainstream modernists of their time.
The LaVernes utilized an ancient bronze-casting technique, which they modified to give each piece a unique patina. This process involved burying hand-carved bas-relief slabs of bronze and pewter in special soil for six weeks, allowing them to oxidize naturally and change color. Starting around 1954, it took six years to refine this method, leading to the creation of their iconic patinated bronze series. Their work included classically inspired flat surfaces and more sculptural, three-dimensional pieces.
Drawing motifs from history, particularly Chinese themes, the LaVernes created popular series such as the Chan collection. These pieces featured decorative themes like Tao, Chi Liang, Ming, T'ang Sui, Shang Ti, and Su Tao, aligning with the then-popular oriental style in decor. Initially produced in limited editions of 12, the high demand led to the creation of more pieces in the Chan series.
Philip LaVerne coined the term "functional art" to describe their work, a concept they popularized through their gallery/showroom at 46 East 57th Street in New York and aggressive advertising campaigns. Their pieces, signed by both father and son, often featured signatures engraved directly into the bronze or set in pewter. Despite their radical production process, their designs remained conservative, intentionally ensuring their functional art could fit with any furnishing style, traditional or modern.
Philip LaVerne (1907-1987) and Kelvin LaVerne (born in 1937) were accomplished artists who brought a unique synergy to their collaboration. Philip, educated at the Arts Student League in New York, and Kelvin, who attended City College and Parsons School of Design, both studied under notable sculptors. In the late 1950s, Kelvin joined his father in creating patinated and engraved bronze and pewter pieces, opening a successful showroom on East 57th Street in NYC.
Their first series, the Historical Civilization Series, depicted past civilizations like China, Greece, Italy, and Egypt, and touched on mythology, religion, and the arts. Inspired by Fauvist, Impressionist, and Renaissance painters, the LaVernes experimented with chemical reactions and special soil to give their works an aged patina, a process they perfected over six years. This technique made their artworks appear authentically antique.
Following the success of the Historical Civilizations Series, the LaVernes explored abstract designs, creating pieces such as Bathers, Eternal Forest, Etruscan Round, and Fantasia. In the 1970s, they began using molds to make cast pieces in bronze tones. These labor-intensive and expensive pieces were produced in small editions and eventually gave way to hand-torched (welded) creations.
Their hand-torched works included abstract and figural sculptures, such as "Mother and Child," "Harmony and Grace," and "Pas Du Trois." They also created bronze sculptures incorporated into furniture designs like the "Symphony" dining table and the "Wavecrest" coffee table. Throughout their collaboration, the LaVernes produced engraved paintings on bronze and pewter with enamels, resulting in masterpieces that continued to captivate collectors.
After Philip's death in 1987, Kelvin completed existing orders and continued to experiment with cast sculptures, signing these later works with only his name. The LaVernes' unique blend of innovative techniques and traditional aesthetics has left a lasting legacy in the world of functional art.
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