After the record achieved in May 2018 for the sale of designs in Europe with a total of over 10 million euros, Sotheby's France will open its autumn season on November 20th. The catalog will open with a group of works dedicated to the color black.
All dedicated to the color that embodies elegance, it comes in the form of bronze, resin, ceramic and metal, serving as a common thread that connects the different periods and artists. This 16-piece homage will celebrate the Lalannes, among others, with a rare work resulting from a collaboration between the two artists: Merle Why (estimate: €80.000-€120.000), 2008, as well as individual works such as Hippopotame III (estimate: €200.000-€300.000), 2000, by François-Xavier Lalanne, in patinated bronze. This section will also feature a superb Walking Panther, 1904, by Rembrandt Bugatti (estimate: €250.000-€350.000) and a Masque Coiffure, 1934, in painted plaster by Alberto Giacometti (estimate: €60.000-€80.000). There will also be two new market pieces: a Cactus lamp, circa 1954, by Pol Chambost (estimate: €15.000-€20.000) and a Coq, 1951, by Georges Jouve (estimate: €7.000-€10.000).
Icons of the design
Much of the sale will feature design icons that regularly highlight the market. These include 15 pieces by Diego Giacometti covering a variety of the enchanting work of this artist who was fascinated by nature, such as the patinated bronze Hibou (estimate: €15.000-€20.000) and the magnificent Feuilles side table with birds and frogs ( estimate: €180.000-€220.000), circa 1980.
In addition to their aforementioned pieces, the Lalannes will be represented by 16 items including a superb Ginkgo furniture set (estimate: €30.000-€40.000 to €150.000-€200.000), 2003-2004, and a Hosta chair (estimate: €120.000 - €150.000), 1972, by Claude Lalanne.
Shiro Kuramata will also be present with the iconic Miss Blanche chair (estimate: €220.000 – €280.000), 1988, decorated with artificial roses. Kuramata also had the idea of exhibiting the chair in Paris during the planning stage: “I was determined to show it in Paris from the start. That's what inspired me… Don't look for the logic behind it. It comes from an image – of France or Europe – that I created in my head. It's a feeling. Only 56 Miss Blanche chairs were produced. Some are now held in international institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Da Compaction New a Design contemporary
The sale will cover the century and its different styles. We'll start with a nice group of pieces by Gustave Serrurier-Bovy. Among them, the modern lines of a Silex chair, circa 1905, immediately catch the eye (estimate: €30.000-€50.000). It will be accompanied by glassware by Emile Gallé and jewelery by René Lalique.
After Art Nouveau, we will move on to Art Deco with a group of pieces by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand and Eugène Printz. There will also be a valuable ashtray by Armand-Albert Rateau, circa 1925 (estimate:
€70.000-€90.000), decorated with butterflies and with feet in the form of fennec foxes, which will delight collectors. Will of Alberto Giacometti
be represented by several pieces including a gilt bronze Main à la coupé (estimate: €60.000-€80.000). Finally, an important work by the architect Emilio Terry embodies the style of this legendary artist. The bench dates to around 1935. Combine neoclassicism with a touch of surrealist fantasy and it will certainly be of interest to the connoisseur (estimate: €100.000-€150.000).
The 50s and 60s ushered in some iconic designers: Georges Jouve, Charlotte Perriand (banquette, circa 1962, estimate: €7.000-€10.000), Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret (sofa, circa 1955, estimate: €20.000-€30.000 ), and Line Vautrin with a set of seven mirrors (estimate: €5.000 – €7.000 – €60.000 – €80.000). Mathieu Matégot, one of the most famous designers of his time, is famous for his perforated metal ceiling lights (Satellite ceiling lights, 1953, estimate: €20.000-€30.000 and €30.000-€50.000).
More recently, a dining set by Roger Tallon, 1970, will illustrate the genius of this designer who reinvented French life (estimate: €25.000-€35.000), together with a set by the same designer from Jacques Lacloche's collection.
Starting across the Alps, there will be a selection of Italian objects including lamps by Gino Sarfatti (Jo-Jo ceiling lamp, estimate: €30.000-€50.000) and furniture by Franco Albini and Claudio Salocchi. Finally, Franz West, Donald Judd, Ettore Sottsass and Garouste & Bonetti will add a contemporary touch to the sale.
