Incollect Magazine - Issue 10

Incollect Magazine 71 scope of the project he had undertaken dawned upon him. “This has been an immense undertaking, spanning their entire career” Lobel explains. Even the cover of the book is a work of art — it contains an image of a LaVerne masterpiece which is engraved along with the title in gold leaf, and the pages are tipped in gold. Lobel’s preface and introduction for the book, along with invaluable commentary by Kelvin, provide tremendously important insight into the techniques and inspiration for their artistic practice and secures Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s place at the pinnacle of makers in the history of 20th-century American art and design. “Often in the middle of making a piece, I would put it on the side and start working on something else,” Kelvin writes in his prologue to the book. “This book was put together in the same way. I would work with Evan on it and then stop for a while. Then I’d come back to it with some additional recollections or comments I wanted to add. This is how I have always done my best work. It has taken a very long time and I believe this book explains our artistic inspirations, our unique artisan processes, and our life’s work.” The 1960s Fragonard Pierced coffee table is one of the most extraordinary designs in the Historical Civilization Series, combining several extremely complicated aspects of the LaVernes’ craftsmanship. Kelvin LaVerne would hand-cut the pierced bronze tabletops in a time-consuming and intricate process to create the desired delicate effect. They were often embellished with hand-applied gold and copper leaf over the completed floral filigree. The tops of this series always contained Asian figures and at least one animal colored with cloisonné enamel, which added a sense of depth to the design. This table has a custom-fitted glass top.