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.
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Very Rare and Important "Waves Cabinet" 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Extremely rare and important 4-door “Waves Cabinet” in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-painted blue and green enamels and green lacquered interior by Philip & Kelv...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin Laverne Chan Li Cabinet
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Philip and Kelvin Laverne Chan Li Cabinet Fitted silverware drawer and original Grain-Painted Wood interior Original patinated surface Signed
Brass, Bronze
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Bronze and Pewter "Chan Li" Cabinet or Sideboard
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable limited-edition cabinet by celebrated designers Philip LaVerne and Kelvin LaVerne, titled Chan Li. The case is richly clad in acid-etched and patinated polychrome...
Bronze, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Two Door Chinese Cabinet
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A diminutive chinoiserie cabinet consisting of acid-etched and enameled panels of brass and pewter. Original painted interior. Clean original surface Signed
Brass, Pewter
Rare Acid-Etched, Patinated Brass, "Chan Li" Cabinet by Philip & Kelvin Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare acid-etched, patinated and polychromed brass, pewter and enamel "Chan Li" Cabinet resting on Greek Key form base by Philip & Kelvin Laverne. The sides and top engraved in th...
Brass
Rare Bronze and Pewter "Chan" Design Cabinet by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Rare bronze and pewter "chan" design cabinet with three interior shelves by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. Signed.
Bronze, Pewter
Chinese Two Door Side Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-door side cabinet has a classic, square-corner design with clean lines and minimal decoration. The small cabinet is crafted of elm with traditional joinery methods, faced wi...
Elm
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
1960s Italian Cabinet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use
Wood
Italian Wood Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian wood cabinet, 1960s. Dimensions: H= 83 cm; W= 130 cm; D= 43 cm.
Wood
Italian Painted and Giltwood Chinoiserie Cabinet
By Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi, Ico Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Houston, TX
Italian painted and giltwood chinoiserie cabinet. Stunning versatile Italian painted and gilt wood chinoiserie 2-door cabinet, bookcase, bar or cu...
Wood
$14,502
H 59.06 in W 63.78 in D 18.9 in
1950 Rare low cabinet in natural oak by Guillerme and Chambron, “Votre Maison”
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare piece by Guillerme et Chambron, from the “Votre Maison” collection: a style, a concept, a way of life. Crafted from solid oak, it features two front doors that open to reveal...
Bronze
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Metal
Sleek Belgium Modernist Two-Door Sideboard or Cabinet
By De Coene Frères
Located in Westport, CT
A super Art Deco two-door cabinet finishing on a pedestal base shown with nickel plated hardware in beautiful rich stained rosewood veneer. Sleek two door cabinet/sideboard/bar on a ...
Rosewood
Lane Walnut and Burl Cabinet
By Lane Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lane walnut and burl cabinet Versatile cabinet with shelving. Ideal for record storage. Brass pulls. 32.25 Width x 18 Depth x 29.25 Height.
Walnut
1960s Walnut Wood Shoe Cabinet
Located in IT
Shoe cabinet with doors and wooden tubular supports for placing shoes. The cabinet dates back to the 1960s and is in excellent condition, having undergone a conservative restoration....
Walnut
Chinese Two Door Keeper's Cabinet, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
With its simple silhouette and minimal decoration, this antique side cabinet from Shanxi, China is the perfect place to stow odds and ends. Crafted of elm (yumu) with traditional joi...
Elm
Acid Etched Brass Console by Bernhard Rohne for Mastrrcraft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary piece and the most recognized and converted in the entire Acid Etched collection from Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. It’s a work of Art. Condition Disclosure: Please...
Brass
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 4-Door "Chinois Cabinet" 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and stunning "Chinois Cabinet" with 4 doors, each with a beautiful Chinese scene in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with vibrant hand-pai...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 35.5 in W 74 in D 19.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Tao Cabinet" 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important large 4 door "Tao Cabinet" in patinated bronze and pewter with continuous engraved Chinese scene, hand-painted with vibrant enamels in...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 31.5 in W 49 in D 15.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Chan Li" Cabinet 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional “Chan Li” 4 door cabinet in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with continuous Chinese scene with hand-painted vibrant enamels of blue, red and orange with red lacq...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Cabinet
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare diminutive cabinet / bar designed by Philip & Kelvin Laverne.
Bronze
Sold
H 36 in W 59 in D 15.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Odyssey Cabinet" 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Very rare and important "Odyssey Cabinet" with ancient Greek motif in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960’s (signed “Kelvi...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 4 Door "Chinois Cabinet" 1960s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important 4 door "Chinois Cabinet" in patinated bronze and pewter with beautiful and subtle hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “Philip Kelvin LaVerne” on the front left door). The interior is lacquered red and the shelves are trimmed in patinated bronze. A drawer on the left side of the interior is beautifully finished as only the LaVernes could do. This piece is a magnificent work of master artisanship. Very few cabinets like this were made. Shown in the environmental photo with an extremely rare LaVerne mirror...
Bronze, Pewter, Enamel
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze and Pewter Cabinet
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare bronze and pewter cabinet with hand painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne. A beautiful example in wonderful condition.
Bronze
Sold
H 31 in W 48 in D 15.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 4 Door "Fantasia Credenza" 1960s 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important 4 door "Fantasia Credenza" in patinated bronze and pewter with abstract design on doors by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's. Signed on door “Philip + Kelvi...
Bronze, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVern Chan Bar Single Edition
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Philip and Kelvin LaVern Chan Bar Bronze, pewter and enamel, circa 1960 Measures: 27 1/4" H x 62 1/4" W x 17 1/4" D (68cm x 122cm x 43cm) Philip and Kelvin LaVerne are an...
Bronze, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Cabinet
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Dallas, TX
A small scale enameled brass two-door cabinet / bar by Philip & Kelvin Laverne.
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 49 in D 15.5 in
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Chan Li Cabinet in Patinated Bronze and Pewter
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare patinated bronze and pewter "Chan Li" cabinet by Philip and Kelvin Laverne. Item features a red lacquer interior with adjustable shelves, bronze edge detail on shelves, and 1 ...
Pewter, Bronze
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Tao Cabinet" 1960s
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fine and rare "Tao Cabinet" in etched bronze and pewter with hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's. Signed on the bottom right ...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter