Description

Impressive pair of Laverne “Daffodil” chairs Invisible group in clear lucite from Estelle and Erwine Laverne’s Invisible Group. Created in 1957 for Laverne International, this strikingly modern theme, the Invisible Group, introduced a period of plastic furniture design notable for its distinctive characteristics. The undeniable inference being made to the utilization of this progressive new clear plastic called “lucite”. Furniture made of lucite did not appear to consume up any room! The Daffodil remains a dynamic looking design, still utilized as a part of film to speak to futurism. An iconic example of mid century seating, chairs show beautifully, with minimal wear retaining original loose upholstered seat cushions, in excellent condition no rips or tears.
The “Daffodil” scoop-formed seat upon inverted round base shaped as one piece, with the armrests, each chair comes with original loose unique seat pad, truly museum quality,
extremely comfortable to sit on, and lovely to look at! Complete your iconic collection, with an additional matching pair, available to be sold separately.

Rita Reif, who wrote about the design for The Times, gave the Invisible chairs a rave review in a 1958 article. She said, “I knew immediately what it was, how innovative: it was the first time we saw full-fledged modern design in acrylic. so light and airy. Dreamlike. And so amusing. Really the most important thing they (the Lavernes) ever did.” In Reif’s article, Erwine Laverne, a tall, imposing man with a strong ego, told Reif that “the most important element in rooms is people, not furniture.” Hence, the invisibility.

Erwine and Estelle Laverne

Erwine (1909-2003) and Estelle (1915-1997) Laverne both trained as painters at the Art Students League under Hans Hofmann. In the 1930s they pooled their collective talent and focus into design, establishing Laverne Originals in 1938, an influential New York company driven by their precise and unique modern artistic style. In 1957 they came out with their “Invisible Group” of curvy see-through plastic furniture designed to exist in a space as, Erwine believed, “an element of contrast to eliminate sameness.” The molded perspex seats and lean, fluted bases were reminiscent of Saarinen’s “Tulip” chair, and the names of some of these Laverne pieces, like “Daffodil,” “Lily” and “Jonquil,” resonated obviously with their inspiration.

Creator: Erwine & Estelle Laverne (Designer)
Place of Origin: United States
Date of Manufacture: circa 1950
Period: 1950-1959
Materials and Techniques: Lucite, Upholstery
Condition: excellent with minimal wear
Wear: minimal wear
Measurement: 25.5 in. (65 cm) H x 30.5 in. (77 cm) W x 26.5 in. (67 cm) Depth x 12.5 in. (32 cm) seat height