Our chosen auction this week is L’Univers Lalanne: The Collection of Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, which takes place at Sotheby’s in Paris on October 23-24.
The sale features treasures from the personal collection of the late French husband-and-wife design team, whose menagerie of wild beasts combined whimsical form with useful function.
Here are 10 lots from the auction that we’d love to own…
Jules & Jim
Estimate: €10,000 – €15,000 ($11,041 – $16,562)
Claude Lalanne, 2015
A pair of gilt patinated bronze and patinated steel sculptures in the form of two mice, dated 2015 and numbered 6/40 B and 16/40 A.
Pair of Sardine cushions
Estimate: €20,000 – €30,000 ($22,082 – $33,123)
Claude Lalanne & François-Xavier Lalanne, 1972
A pair of hand-painted leather cushions in the form of sardines, along with a Louis XV style carved and painted wood sofa with upholstery by Claude Lalanne.
Pair of Tourterelle armchairs
Estimate: €60,000 – €80,000 ($66,247 – $88,329)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 2008
A pair of wood and aluminium armchairs in the form of two turtledoves, dated 2008 and numbered EA 2/4 B and EA 2/4 C on each wing.
Singe Attablé cccasional table
Estimate: €100,000 – €120,000 ($110,411 – $132,493)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 2005
A glass-topped occasional table supported by a gilt patinated bronze sculpture of a monkey. Dated 2005 and numbered 8/8 B on the legs.
Choupatte (Très Grand)
Estimate: €150,000 – €200,000 ($165,617 – $220,822)
Claude Lalanne, 2012
A large patinated bronze sculpture of a cabbage, combined to surreal effect with the legs of a chicken. Dated 2012 and numbered 7/8 on the foot.
Mouton de Laine
Estimate: €200,000 – €300,000 ($220,822 – $331,233)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 2010
A life-sized, patinated bronze seat in the form of a sheep, complete with coat of wool, dated 2010 with a foundry mark by Landowski Fondeur beneath the muzzle.
Pair of Crococonsoles console tables
Estimate: €250,000 – €350,000 ($276,028 – $386,439)
Claude Lalanne, 2012
A pair of gilt patinated bronze console tables with their tops in the form of drooping crocodile skins. Dated 2012, monogrammed C.L. and stamped CLAUDE LALANNE.
Ane de Natalie
Estimate: €300,000 – €400,000 ($331,233 – $441,644)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 2007
A patinated bronze, leather and horsehair sculpture of a donkey, containing storage and a fall-front which opens to reveal a writing surface. Dated 07 and numbered 6/8 on the spine.
Grand Mouflon de Pauline bar cabinet
Estimate: €600,000 – €800,000 ($662,466 – $883,288)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 2008
A gilt patinated bronze sculpture of a Mouflon (a type of wild sheep) containing a bar cabinet compartment. Dated 2008 and numbered 7/8 on a leg.
Unique Rhinocrétaire
Estimate: €700,000 – €1,000,000 ($772,877 – $1,104,110)
François-Xavier Lalanne, 1991
A large, patinated welded copper and metal rhinoceros sculpture which opemns to reveal a hidden writing desk.
(All images courtesy of Sotheby’s/ ArtDigital Studio.)
