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.
Brutalist Male Bust by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Patinated Bronze
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Astoria, NY
Philip LaVerne (American, 1907-1987) and Kelvin LaVerne (American, 1937-2025) Male Figure Patinated Bronze Portrait Bust Sculpture, signed to reverse. 22.5" H x 14" W x 7" D. Prove...
Bronze
Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Giacometti's Soul" Sculpture 1980s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and exceptional cast sculpture "Giacometti's Soul" in bronze with hand-painted enamels on a patinated bronze base by Kelvin LaVerne, American late 1980's (Engraved signature on ...
Bronze, Enamel
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Arabesque Sculpture in Bronze 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique cast and patinated bronze sculpture of a woman's torso in an arabesque pose on a black lacquer wood base by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970's (signed “PK LaVerne” o...
Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important Cast Sculpture 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
“Femme de Menage” aka “La Bonne”, a very rare and important large cast figural bronze sculpture attained via lost wax process, table in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with ...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Unique Sculpture "The Runner" 1970s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
One-of-a-kind sculpture, The Runner, in hand-brazed and textured bronze by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970's (signed "Philip + Kelvin LaVerne" on ba...
Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Nude #1" Wall-Hanging Sculpture 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Study of Nude #1", a rare figural wall sculpture incorporating a femaile nude motif in solid pewter by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed with original gallery label o...
Pewter
$2,120
H 8.75 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Brutalist Signed Tennis-Ball Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful substantial and stunning Brutalist sculpture cast in bronze with a powerful sense of movement. The circa 1970s work is presented upon a black marble base and is signed to...
Marble, Bronze
Austin 1980s Large Female Head Sculpture
By Austin Productions
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large female bust in the 1980s Disco aesthetic vibe reminiscent of Studio 54 in satin white plaster with matching base. Signed to the back neck area Fischer manufactured by Austin ...
Plaster
Male and Female Sculpture, circa 1960s
By Alva Museum Replicas, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
A vintage midcentury reproduction of a figurative male and female 'embracing' sculpture on black marble base, 1963, New York, New York. Sculpture has maker's mark on side and on bott...
Composition, Marble
Set of Spiral Sculptures in Steel Signed by the Artist, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Very interesting set of sculptures with curved spiral shapes signed by the artist, numbered and dated. Each sculpture was made in a different year fr...
Steel
Hollywood Regency Cast Brass Standing Doe Sculpture, 1960s
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous and substantial, striking iconic 1960s Hollywood Regency vintage Sarreid style cast brass standing doe sculpture. Large vintage midcentury solid hollow cast brass doe...
Brass
Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Bust of Ajax
Located in Kittery Point, ME
After the antique, his helmet decorated with centaurs and panthers. In Homer’s Illiad, he is described as a hero of colossal frame who was trained by the...
Bronze
Expressive Figurative Bronze Sculpture, Netherlands, 1970s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A captivating figurative bronze sculpture created in the Netherlands during the 1970s. Although the artist remains unknown, the work possesses a remarkable artistic quality, combinin...
Bronze
Brutalist 1970s Signed Iron Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Unique Brutalist iron / mixed metals sculpture by American artist, circa 1970s. Free-form piece with various geometric pieces signed on the base. Beautiful Versatile piece that ...
Metal, Brass, Chrome, Iron
$3,420
H 84 in W 72 in D 1 in
Vintage 1960s Modernist Inspired Handcrafted Hanging Wall Sculpture/Room Divider
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960s Modernist inspired handcrafted hanging wall sculpture / room divider by New Zealand Artist Andrew Reid. circa 1990s. Features a combi...
Wire
Unique Cubist Terracotta Head Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Madrid, ES
Striking Cubist-style head sculpture executed in terracotta during the 1970s. This unique artistic work reflects the influence of the Cubist movement, characterized by its bold geome...
Terracotta
Large 1980s Cubist Abstract Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Striking cubist abstract sculpture from the 1980s that makes a bold statement. Featuring exaggerated proportions and dynamic geometric forms, this piece blends art and abstraction i...
Metal
$549Sale Price|20% Off
H 41 in W 23 in D 25 in
Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman Designed by Bohumil Kokrda, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of ceramic - Maker: Jitona - Good, original condition.
Ceramic
Sold
H 73 in W 30 in D 16 in
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Important Illuminated Bronze Sculptures ca 1970 (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
One-of-a-kind pair of large illuminated sculptures, “Grace and Harmony”, hand-brazed in bronze tones, one with green patina and the other highly textured, with complex tubular elemen...
Bronze
Sold
H 65 in W 33 in D 1.5 in
Large Signed Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze Wall Plaque Two Figures Gods
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Depicting two figures, perhaps a god or Godess, this rare placque by the famed Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne is a masterpiece and sure to appreciate over time. This is a form of art, a ...
Bronze
Sold
H 69 in W 96 in D 54 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "La Famille" Sculpture Art Installation 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
One-of-a-kind life size art installation, "La Famille", with cast and patinated bronze sculptures of father, mother and daughter holding a patinated and engraved bronze and pewter ta...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 36 in W 31 in D 1.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Musicians" Pierced Bronze Painting 1960s--Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique pierced bronze painting "Musicians" in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with multicolor enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “Philip Kelvin LaV...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 80 in W 42 in D 21 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne One-of-a-Kind "Pas De Trois" Sculpture 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Important one-of-a-kind large hand-brazed sculpture "Pas De Trois" in patinated bronze with green patina by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (sign...
Bronze
Sold
H 16 in W 7 in D 7 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Female Torso Sculpture in Bronze circa 1970 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Original unique Impressionist female torso sculpture in patinated bronze by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American ca. 1970 (signed "P+K LaVerne" on bottom of leg). Both Philip and Kelvin...
Bronze
Sold
H 34.5 in W 16 in D 11 in
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Rare and Important Torso Table Lamps Ca. 1970, 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important male and female torso table lamps in Hydro Stone plaster on patinated bronze bases by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American ca. 1970 (sig...
Bronze
Sold
H 20 in W 26.5 in D 8 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Unique Arabesque Sculpture in Bronze 1970s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique cast and patinated bronze sculpture of a woman's torso in an arabesque pose on a black lacquer wood base by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970's (signed “PK LaVerne” on ba...
Bronze
Sold
H 86 in W 32 in D 28 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Masterpiece "Mother and Child" Sculpture 1968 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique complex monumental masterwork "Mother and Child" in hand-brazed bronze with painted enamels on a solid marble base by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1968 (signed “Philip Ke...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 21.5 in W 15 in D 1.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Synergy" in Bronze, Pewter and Copper 1960s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique abstract collage "Synergy" in patinated bronze, pewter and copper with abstract pattern engraved on part of it by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “P+K LAVERNE”). The LaVernes were constantly experimenting with different mediums and different types of sculptures and artworks. They made a small number of metal collages...
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Sold
H 40 in W 51 in D 2 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Expressionist Still Life Painting on Bronze, 1960's
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Still Life Musicale" a large abstract expressionist painting on bronze with vibrant hand-applied enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed on front and original ga...
Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 39 in W 38 in D 1.5 in
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne "Venus Contemplating" Wall Sculpture, 1960s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wall sculpture “Venus Contemplating” in etched and patinated bronze with figural motif in hand-applied polychrome enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American, 1960’s (signed “Philip...
Bronze, Enamel