Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Exquisite "Fragonard Pierced" Coffee Table 1960s, Signed

Exceptional and rare “Fragonard Pierced” Coffee Table in patinated, engraved and pierced bronze and pewter, intricately cut with colorful enamel cloisonne and gold and copper leaf with an inset glass top, by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, American 1960’s (signed “Philip + Kelvin LaVerne” on front). The coloration of this table is superb. The table top was cut entirely by Kelvin Laverne’s hand. The delicate fretwork is a marvel. This series always included Chinese figures with at least one animal. This one features two birds and two horses. An inset glass top is part of the design. It’s a masterpiece of artisanship.

Reference:
ALCHEMY: THE ART OF PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE written by Evan Lobel with Kelvin LaVerne, published by Pointed Leaf Press in 2024, this coffee table is shown on pages 85 in the section Historical Civilization Series. The caption reads, “The 1960s FRAGONARD PIERCED coffee table is one of the most extraordinary designs in the Historical Civlization Series as it combines extremely difficult aspects of the LaVernes’ artisanship. The pierced bronze tabletops were cut by Kelvin’s hand. This process was time-consuming, very delicate and often with hand-applied gold and copper leaf over the competed floral filigree. The tops of this series always contain Asian figures and at least one animal colored with enamel cloisonne that added depth.”