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 Chin Ying Rectangular Coffee Table in Bronze
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne large and exquisite "Chin Ying" rectangular coffee table in patinated and acid-etched pewter and bronze with vibrant hand-applied polychrome enamels and gol...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
$28,000
Large LaVerne Dining Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A Midcentury American patinated metal dining/center table with original patina signed LaVerne. Measurements: Height: 29" Diameter: 53".
Metal
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Chrysanthemum" Coffee Table 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare “Chrysanthemum” coffee table, hand-brazed in patinated bronze with a glass top, is by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, American 1970's (signed "Philip Kelvin Laverne" on side of base)...
Bronze
Philip Kelvin LaVerne Creation of Man Bronze Cocktail Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning midcentury modern etched bronze veneered coffee cocktail table designed by father and son Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. The large table depicts Michelangelo's creation of man i...
Bronze
Extraordinary Phillip And Kelvin LaVerne Bronze “Festival” Bronze Console
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From master Furniture and Art creators Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and created in the 1960’s. The diminutive Bronze Console from their celebrated “Festival” series depicts a lively an...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Houston, TX
A 1960s Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Classical" coffee table, this acid-etched bronze table has a fluted frame and legs. It is signed "Philip and Kelvin LaVerne." The fluted edge and l...
Bronze, Pewter
Mid-Century Modern Ming Coffee Table by Laverne, Bronze & Pewter, 1965
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 'Ming' coffee table in patinated bronze and pewter with hand painted polychrome enamels by the iconic father & son duo Philip and Kelvin Laverne. From the Laverne Cat...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Rare Coffee Table by Kelvin and Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural coffee table by American design duo Kelvin and Laverne, known for their experimental approach to metalwork and richly layered patinated surfaces. This example features a c...
Metal, Steel
Patinated Brass & Pewter "Chan" Coffee Table by Philip and Kelvin Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Montreal, QC
engraved and acid-etched, patinated and polychromed bronze, pewter and enamel "Chan" circular coffee table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by LaVerne, Brass & Pewter, 1965
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible custom Laverne Coffee Table from the 1960s Philip and Kelvin Laverne Chan Series. In a very rare square shape, this table was custom made for a special client in Milwaukee...
Brass, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Acid Etched Bronze "Zodiac" Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A highly collectible acid etched bronze coffee table by Philip and Kelvin Laverne. The rectangular shaped table features their "Zodiac" pattern on the tabletop with four cylindrical ...
Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Custom Etruscan Caduceus occasional tables
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous pair of custom Etruscan Caduceus occasional tables by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. These tables were commissioned by a prominent physician in the 1970's and they are one of a ...
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne, Pair of Bronze Etruscan Side Tables after Picasso
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of Bronze Patinated Etruscan Side Tables after Picasso by Philip & Kelvin Laverne. These tables are part of the Etruscan Series, each featuring three dynamic flang...
Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Etched Bronze, Rare Tao Side Tables, USA, 1960s
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Stamford, CT
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Mid-Century Modern, Rare 'Tao' Side or End Tables, Bronze, 1960s Rare and important pair of occasional tables designed and produced by Philip and Kelvin L...
Bronze
"Festival Console" Table from Philip La Verne Galleries Ltd. 1987
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Dallas, TX
low console table, FESTIVAL CONSOLE, by American furniture designers Philip (1907-1987) and Kelvin (1936-2025) La Verne, an extremely talented father and son team, this low console h...
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
$16,000
Square LaVerne Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960's patinated bronze LaVerne coffee table with silver and polychromed finish. Measurements: Height: 32" Width/length: 32" Height: 17"
Metal
$34,200Sale Price|24% Off
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Generation' Bronze Sculpture Table, c. 1964, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 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...
Bronze
A Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze Coffee Table "Imperial Court Scenes"
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A Philip and Kelvin LaVerne bronze coffee table formed with a rectangular top set within a raised bronze perimeter frame depicting Imperial Court Scenes. The surface presents an etch...
Bronze, Enamel
Large Rectangular "Chan" Coffee Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning and impressively sized "Chan" coffee table designed by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, circa 1970s. Acid etched and patinated polychromed bronze and pewter. Table top decorated w...
Copper, Pewter
Bronze and Pewter "Madame Pompadour" Side Table by Philip & Kelvin Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare engraved and acid-etched, patinated and polychromed bronze, pewter and enamel "Madame Pompadour side table" by Philip & Kelvin Laverne Reference: "Sculpture II Bronze and Pewte...
Bronze
$43,035Sale Price|33% Off
'Generation' Bronze Sculpture Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, c. 1964 Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This important and documented bronze sculpture table named "Generation" by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne was sculpted circa 1964 and was featured on the cover of “Philip & Kelvin LaVerne: Sculpture III". Its large size allows this to be used as a coffee or cocktail table, console table or display table or can be simply displayed as sculptural fine art. This pièce de résistance for collectors of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne is exceptionally rare and highly coveted. Within one single work of functional fine art the artists explored several different techniques the LaVernes were known to employ. Two heavy cast bronze figures, a boy holding a cat and the opposite side a girl, holding the table top which features a gorgeous torched bronze surface with inlaid colorful enamels, one bearing the LaVernes signature. Another acid washed bronze...
Bronze, Enamel
Pair of Acid Etched Bronze "Tao" Side Tables by Philip and Kelvin Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare pair of acid etched bronze and pewter "Tao" diptych side tables by Philip and Kelvin Laverne .Signed "P. K. Laverne" USA: circa 1960
Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare and Important "Repose" Coffee Table 1970s Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important “Repose” or “Brooding Woman” coffee table with cast bronze female nude on a patinated base with bronze tones, welded cords and ...
Metal, Bronze
Mid-Century Pewter & Bronze "Kang Tao" Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Regarded more as artists than furniture makers, the father-son duo of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne occupy the top tier of American mid-century modern interior design. Father Philip (1907-1987) and son Philip (1937-) were both classically trained at the world renowned Art Students League of New York and opened their first joint showroom in Manhattan in the 1950's, specializing in studio-made metal furniture. This impressive "Kang Tao...
Metal, Bronze, Pewter
$42,000
Square Laverne Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1970 square Laverne coffee table with Chinoiserie scenes on legs. Measurements: Height: 18" Width: 39.75" square
Bronze
$22,000
Oval Shaped Laverne Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960s oval etched bronze Laverne table with chinoiserie decoration and with original finish. Measurements: Height 17.5" Length 66" Width 21".
Metal, Bronze
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Petite Side Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Chicago, IL
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne side table with abstract pattern, signed. Wear to top surface as shown. Patina. Metal is lifting off of wood in some areas. could possibly use some glui...
Brass
Rare Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Kuan Yin Console
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely rare form. The acid-etched and enameled surface is in beautiful original condition. Raised signature on the console top, paper label and care instructions attached to ...
Bronze
Laverne Fragonard Table with Amethyst Stones and inlayed mother of Pearl
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Designed and manufactured by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, This example of the rare Fragonard table is set with polished amethyst stones and mother-of-pear...
Amethyst, Bronze
Mid-Century Patinated Bronze Laverne Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1970's patinated bronze coffee table with original patina. Measurements: Length: 48" Width: 36" Height: 15.75"
Bronze
$22,000 / item
Pair of LaVerne Coffee Tables, Sold Individually
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A matched pair of circa 1960's patinated bronze LaVerne coffee tables with original patina and horse motif. Sold individually. Measurements: Length: 47" Width: 23" Height: 17"
Metal
Silver-Ground Iridescent Green Horse Wall Panel, by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic and quite rare acid etched metal panel of green iridescent horses on a silver ground, Signed Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. This is one of ...
Metal
Rare Signed Philip & Kelvin Laverne "Generation" Sculpture Coffee Table c 1970
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Rare Signed Philip & Kelvin Laverne "Generation" Sculpture Coffee Table circa 1970 MINT!
Brass