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A topic for recording information regarding the Chicago metalsmith, Leonide C. Lavaron (1866-1931), and the Lavaron Studios.
Lavaron Studios - Chicago - 1913
If you have any details of the above metalsmith, advertisements, examples of her work, etc., anything that you are willing to share, then here's the place to post it.
LAVARON, Leonide Cecilia:
Designer and handicrafter; born in New York City; daughter of Ernest and Anna (Fricke) Lavaron. and is of French descent. She removed to Chicago in girlhood and after procuring her general education in the public and high schools of that city she applied herself to artistic studies and to art handicraft, with the result that she has obtained distinction for her original designs and workmanship as a jeweler and in metals. She has applied her skill as painter, chemist and metalsmith to the production of work of exceptional beauty in gold, silver and copper. In copper she has by long, chemical experiment been able to produce iridescent surface effects which have created great distinction, and the "Lavaron copper" with the original and artistic designs in which she has formed it, is now a well-known specialty in art metal work; and in precious stones and jewels her work is notable for originality of conception and artistic combination of color, and she is recognized as one of the foremost exponents of an art-craft only recently cultivated by women. She is a member of the Boston Arts and Crafts Society and the National Society of Craftsmen, New York City. Address: 414 Fine Arts Building, Chicago.
Source: Men and Women of America: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries - 1910
The artistic and unusual work of Miss Leonide Lavaron, of Chicago, is attracting much attention. This French-American goldsmith has made many successful experiments in chemical processes, especially in the treatment of copper, one of the first metals used by mankind. There is scarcely a branch of human industry where copper is not an important factor. The "Lavaron copper" is noted for its color-play and iridescent surface. It was only natural that in working with the antique metal Miss Lavaron should study the classic urns, bowls and Pompeiian lamps of another age, in order to discover their structural principles, but she has evolved artistic new lamps which meet every modern need.
While traveling on the Pacific coast she one day picked up some sea shells, beautiful derelicts of the ocean. Holding them between the sun and her eye, this artist gratified her great love of color by studying the soft luster of the rainbow tinted light filtering through the shells. An idea occurred to her. Why not utilize the shells as globes in lamps made of Lavaron copper with an electric bulb as a miniature sun? Thus with the light which is so akin to sunlight, the iridescent beauty of the shells might be produced at will. Upon returning home she polished a few shells and made her first shell globe lamp, which proved so successful that she began to import shells in quantities from Japan and the Pacific Islands.
Nature having furnished the idea for these lamps, the artist was careful to preserve the idea of life and growth in working out new effects in electric lamps. The first essential of any lamp is practical use and the Lavaron lamps afford excellent illumination in unique form; but they are wonderfully picturesque and often embody a deep sea motif, as for example, the lamp christened "Whispering of the Deep," in which a suggestion of life is most skillfully given to seaweed masses of copper forming the standard with globes of pearly tinted shells. A single trumpet conch fitted with a tungsten lamp and equipped with a copper standard makes a cozy corner lamp or furnishes sufficient light for a den.
Miss Lavaron has worked out a most charming effect in illumination in a vine-like fixture of copper and chitons for a conservatory or to be suspended across a glass door. The motif of the vine is the flowering maple with twisted copper stems, realistic leaves and tinted shells for the miniature lamp globes.
The Lavaron electric lamps show a decided departure from the conventional lamps and a return to Nature as the source of structural forms as these are revealed in the plant, the lily cluster or tangled seaweed. Miss Lavaron's combination of opalescent shells with copper and the tungsten lamp result in creations of exquisite color and luminosity.
An advertisement from Leonide C. Lavaron regarding the closure of the Lavaron Studios:
Leonide C. Lavaron announces the Closing Out Sale of the LAVARON STUDIOS
Any article in our entire stock may be purchased at a 25% to 75% Reduction
Many articles less than actual cost Necklaces, Pendants, Lavallieres, Brooches, Stick Pins, Rings, Fobs, Cuff links, Unset Gems, precious and semi-precious, Electroliers and Lavaron Copper.
Miss Leonide C. Lavaron of Chicago has rediscovered an ancient Egyptian art and given her name to it. This is the producing of certain iridescent hues on copper by atmospheric effect. The combination of deadly acids required, makes the process a dangerous and exhausting work. The favorite designs employed by the artist for this Lavaron ware are peacock feathers, dragon flies, palm leaves and butterflies. Plaques, bowls, lamps, urns and lanterns of both copper and brass are not only designed but made in their entirety, by Miss Lavaron who also finds an outlet for her genius in designing jewelry. Another of the artistic works of this talented woman is the making of beautiful books, illustrated with illuminated texts.
Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 22nd November 1903
Fortune in Hotel Vault, Withheld for Estate, Not Available for Funeral Expenses
By the Associated Press
CHICAGO, August 7.—The body of Miss Leonide C. Lavaron, once famous designer of art Jewelry, was saved from a pauper’s grave yesterday. Although the fortune In jewels she had deposited in a loop hotel vault could not be touched until the estate was taken over by the courts, a group of former friends agreed to defray the expenses of a regular funeral.
Miss Lavaron died yesterday, a charity patient in a hospital, 65 years old, and with her only home a tiny room in a boarding house. In a hotel vault, untouched for three years, lay her collection of antique jewelry, valued at from $20,000 to $100,000. She had placed it there so as not to be tempted to sell it.
Miss Lavaron was a well known metal worker and monotypist. Her production of an iridescent surface on copper was described as the recovery of
a "lost Egyptian art.”
At the studios of J. A. Clow & Co., 804 Nicollet avenue, are being shown all this week one of the most interesting and unique assortments of precious and semi-precious stones; also suggestive designs in copper things. The articles, which are all of exceptional style and odd character, are the work of a woman metalsmith, Miss Leonide C. Lavaron. Truly wonderful are some of the articles, and of a nature to be highly praised by any connoisseur of odd jewelry or copper. Miss Lavaron has made a life study of copper work and has accomplished results which make Lavaron art metal celebrated throughout the whole land. The jewelry also is characteristic in itself. No two pieces are ever made alike, each one having a particular idea or text, as it were, for its owner. Miss Lavaron has followed the antique to a large extent, basing her suggestions on the ancient Egyptian and combining them with modern requirements and ideas.
The charming exhibit will remain on display here until Saturday. A reception will be held this afternoon, and another on Friday evening, on which occasion everyone is invited to attend and inspect these clever articles.
Source: The Minneapolis Journal - 13th November 1906
With the passing of the Lavaron studios local art-lovers and art-crafters lose a unique place of interest. It will not be forgotten, but will go down into our art history as one of the brave efforts to revive the handicrafts and to promote the individual worker in the face of the big business organization.
Time has proved that the handicrafts movement, as predicted by the first prophets, does not follow the lines expected. With the rise of the great department shops, employing armies of designers and workers, taking the entire products of studios, the individual artist dares not risk the competition.
A tiara and corsage ornament, colored gold and peacock opals by Leonide C. Lavaron, exhibited at the Fourth Annual Exhibition of Arts-Crafts at the Chicago Art Institute in December 1905:
(By Associated Press)
CHICAGO, Aug 6 (1931) The body of Miss Leonide C Lavaron, once famous designer of art jewelry, was saved from a pauper's grave today. Although the fortune in jewels she had deposited in a loop hotel vault could not be touched until the estate was taken over by the courts, a group of former friends agreed to defray the expenses of a regular funeral.
Miss Lavaron died yesterday, a charity patient in a hospital, 65 years old and with her only home a tiny room in a boarding house.
In a hotel vault, untouched for three years, lay her collection of antique jewelry, valued at from$20,000 to $100,000. She had placed it there so as not to be tempted to sell it.
Miss Lavaron was a well known metal worker and monotypist. Her production of an iridescent surface on copper was described as the recovery of a "lost Egyptian art."
Mrs. Leonide C. Lavarone is offering creditors 20 per cent. cash in settlement of their claims. She owes for rent $5,600, to her bank $600 and to merchandise creditors $2,150. The value of the stock on hand is estimated at $3,700.
The Municipal Art League of Chicago is investigating the possibilities among art crafts workers and designers in the State. Maurice I. Flagg of the Minnesota State Art Commission was invited to lecture. Miss Leonide C. Lavaron, a crafts worker, has been especially engaged to inquire among manufacturers and in the studios.
