Bronze Chin Ying Coffee Table by Philip & Kelvin Laverne

This spectacular coffee table in bronze and pewter is the Chin Ying Table by father and son design duo Philip (1907-1987) and Kelvin (1937-) LaVerne. Renowned for their innovative use of metalworking techniques, the LaVernes layered each work with multiple surface treatments to achieve well-developed character, employing methods such as hand-torching, acid-etching, enameling or patination – achieved by burying their works in chemical-rich soils. Residing at the intersection of functionality and art, their limited-edition designs are celebrated today for their harmonious balance of modern forms and painterly decoration.

This limited-edition Chin Ying coffee table from the 1960s has an expansive top of patinated bronze and pewter with hand-applied enamels for added color. Decorated in the Chinoiserie style, the low relief top depicts a Chinese courtyard setting with young woman engaged in various pastimes, such as playing games, dancing and playing musical instruments. The bottom of the scene is cast with the maker’s signature “Philip Kelvin LaVerne.”