François-Xavier LALANNE (1927-2008)
Except otherwise stated, all results below include the premium.
See also : 20th century furniture Chairs and seats Terracotta to porcelain
Chronology : 1976 1979 2001
See also : 20th century furniture Chairs and seats Terracotta to porcelain
Chronology : 1976 1979 2001
(1964)-1991 Rhinocrétaire
2019 SOLD for € 5.4M by Sotheby's
Pierre Restany promotes under the wording Nouveaux Réalistes a new art which appropriates the industrial object. In 1964 the Galerie J devotes an exhibition to two sculptors, François-Xavier Lalanne and Claude, his companion and future wife.
Their conceptions and their product lines are complementary. François-Xavier maintains the functionality of his models of furniture even when they are zoomorphic. Claude creates decorative objects for the living room or the garden with an unlimited imagination. They will sign their works jointly from 1966 : Les Lalanne.
In that seminal exhibition, the two flagship pieces were François-Xavier's Rhinocrétaire and Claude's Choupatte. Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint-Laurent were enthusiastic about the Rhinocrétaire.
Throughout their long career, les Lalanne accumulate new subjects without interrupting the old themes. On 23 and 24 October, 2019, Sotheby's sells the works that they were keeping in their home and studio near Fontainebleau.
The lot 13 estimated € 700K is a Rhinocrétaire 2.55 m long in welded metal. Opening a fall front of the beast unfolds the desk. This unique piece made in 1991 was certainly assembled for the personal use of the artist. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's in the tweet. It was sold for € 5.4M.
The lot 33 estimated € 150K is a Choupatte (Très Grand) 117 x 135 cm from an edition of 8 made in 2012 in patinated bronze. It was sold for € 2.17M. A unique piece of only 37 cm dated 1988 was sold for € 610K by Sotheby's on May 28, 2019 over a lower estimate of € 70K.
Their conceptions and their product lines are complementary. François-Xavier maintains the functionality of his models of furniture even when they are zoomorphic. Claude creates decorative objects for the living room or the garden with an unlimited imagination. They will sign their works jointly from 1966 : Les Lalanne.
In that seminal exhibition, the two flagship pieces were François-Xavier's Rhinocrétaire and Claude's Choupatte. Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint-Laurent were enthusiastic about the Rhinocrétaire.
Throughout their long career, les Lalanne accumulate new subjects without interrupting the old themes. On 23 and 24 October, 2019, Sotheby's sells the works that they were keeping in their home and studio near Fontainebleau.
The lot 13 estimated € 700K is a Rhinocrétaire 2.55 m long in welded metal. Opening a fall front of the beast unfolds the desk. This unique piece made in 1991 was certainly assembled for the personal use of the artist. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's in the tweet. It was sold for € 5.4M.
The lot 33 estimated € 150K is a Choupatte (Très Grand) 117 x 135 cm from an edition of 8 made in 2012 in patinated bronze. It was sold for € 2.17M. A unique piece of only 37 cm dated 1988 was sold for € 610K by Sotheby's on May 28, 2019 over a lower estimate of € 70K.
Bars
1
1965 Bar Saint-Laurent
2009 SOLD for € 2.75M by Christie's
François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne are close to the Nouveaux Réalistes. With a soldering machine bought jointly with Tinguely, they will create new forms.
In 1964 the exhibition titled Zoophites displays the know-how of the Lalannes in functional furniture and zoomorphic figures, in both cases with humor and with rejection of all traditions. The rhinocrétaire is already a hybrid between these two types of objects. Before them Fornasetti had changed the decoration of the furniture but not the shape.
Yves Saint-Laurent is not mistaken. He orders a bar to François-Xavier. The elements of an ordinary bar are there : the bottle rack, the ice bucket and even a shaker. They are assembled with a tubular structure that is not zoomorphic. Supplied in 1965 to Saint-Laurent and Bergé, this unprecedented piece of furniture was sold by Christie's on February 25, 2009 for € 2,75M from a lower estimate of € 200K, lot 348.
In 1964 the exhibition titled Zoophites displays the know-how of the Lalannes in functional furniture and zoomorphic figures, in both cases with humor and with rejection of all traditions. The rhinocrétaire is already a hybrid between these two types of objects. Before them Fornasetti had changed the decoration of the furniture but not the shape.
Yves Saint-Laurent is not mistaken. He orders a bar to François-Xavier. The elements of an ordinary bar are there : the bottle rack, the ice bucket and even a shaker. They are assembled with a tubular structure that is not zoomorphic. Supplied in 1965 to Saint-Laurent and Bergé, this unprecedented piece of furniture was sold by Christie's on February 25, 2009 for € 2,75M from a lower estimate of € 200K, lot 348.
2
1966 Bar Mayersdorff
2018 SOLD for $ 4.6M by Christie's
Despite this first success, the Lalanne bar remains confidential. In 1966 François-Xavier delivers another bar, similar in structure but less compact, to a couple of Belgian collectors. The Mayersdorff Bar was sold by Christie's on May 17, 2018 for $ 4.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2.2M, lot 3 B.
from 1965 Moutons
1
1976 Group of 24
2012 SOLD for $ 5.7M by Christie's
An unusual idea can provide an overnight fame to an artist. In 1965, François-Xavier Lalanne creates a sensation in Paris at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture.
He designed a small bench in wood and aluminum, covered with wool, with four feet. All furniture manufacturers run their models in multiple copies: Lalanne standardizes the quantity to 24. Thus was born his flock of life size sheep, worthy of the best ideas of surrealism but in an extreme simplicity of interpretation.
The set is funny. The sheep with a proudly raised head is a bench with a hat holder and the headless sheep is an ottoman. This is a clear invitation to leave the pieces together : headless animals are considered occupied to graze within the group, protected by the external figures.
His first flock of 24 sheep is entitled Pour Polyphème. The artist's goal was to exhibit an innovative, utilitarian, monumental and modifiable work.
Throughout his career, Lalanne reissues his sheep. The first series, coated with real wool, are called the Moutons de Laine.
A flock made in 1968-1969 of five sheep and nine ottomans was sold for € 1.75M by Christie's on December 4, 2012, lot 22.
A pair dated 1969 was sold for € 1.57M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017, lot 38.
A complete herd of seven white sheep, one black sheep and sixteen ottomans was sold for $ 5.7M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Christie's on November 14, 2012, lot 43. This set had been purchased in 1976 by an American couple to fill a barn.
He designed a small bench in wood and aluminum, covered with wool, with four feet. All furniture manufacturers run their models in multiple copies: Lalanne standardizes the quantity to 24. Thus was born his flock of life size sheep, worthy of the best ideas of surrealism but in an extreme simplicity of interpretation.
The set is funny. The sheep with a proudly raised head is a bench with a hat holder and the headless sheep is an ottoman. This is a clear invitation to leave the pieces together : headless animals are considered occupied to graze within the group, protected by the external figures.
His first flock of 24 sheep is entitled Pour Polyphème. The artist's goal was to exhibit an innovative, utilitarian, monumental and modifiable work.
Throughout his career, Lalanne reissues his sheep. The first series, coated with real wool, are called the Moutons de Laine.
A flock made in 1968-1969 of five sheep and nine ottomans was sold for € 1.75M by Christie's on December 4, 2012, lot 22.
A pair dated 1969 was sold for € 1.57M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017, lot 38.
A complete herd of seven white sheep, one black sheep and sixteen ottomans was sold for $ 5.7M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Christie's on November 14, 2012, lot 43. This set had been purchased in 1976 by an American couple to fill a barn.
2
1979 Group of 10
2011 SOLD for $ 7.5M by Christie's
The success of the Moutons de Laine gives rise to new variants : the ram, the ewe, the lamb. The Mouton de Pierre appears in 1979 for use in the garden. It is in epoxy concrete and bronze, without wheels and without wool. It is first edited in 250 numbered units, later in small series of replicas.
A homogeneous group of ten Moutons de Pierre from the first edition was sold for $ 7.5M by Christie's on December 17, 2011, lot 303, from a lower estimate of $ 600K.
A homogeneous group of ten Moutons de Pierre from the first edition was sold for $ 7.5M by Christie's on December 17, 2011, lot 303, from a lower estimate of $ 600K.
3
1979-2004 Group of 10
2020 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Christie's
A group of ten was sold for $ 2.9M by Christie's on December 4, 2020, lot 608.
It is composed of one Béliers, three Moutons Transhumants, two Moutons de Pierre, two Brebis and two Agneaux, made between 1979 and 2004.
It is composed of one Béliers, three Moutons Transhumants, two Moutons de Pierre, two Brebis and two Agneaux, made between 1979 and 2004.
Hippopotame
1
1969
SOLD for $ 4.3M by Christie's
François-Xavier Lalanne combines the zoomorphic shape with the functionality of furniture. For the toilet, he chooses La Mouche. In 1968 he designs for Marcel Duchamp a bathtub integrated into a life-size hippopotamus in blue resin, commenting that the river horse is better suited than a zebra for this application.
Duchamp's bathtub is an operational failure. It is too large to be installed in the bathroom, and Teeny, Marcel's widow, leaves it in her living room. In 1969 Lalanne makes a hippopotamus bathtub in brass and copper. This unique piece 128 x 84 x 290 cm was sold for $ 4.3M by Christie's on November 12, 2019 from a lower estimate of $ 1M, lot 13 M.
Duchamp's bathtub is an operational failure. It is too large to be installed in the bathroom, and Teeny, Marcel's widow, leaves it in her living room. In 1969 Lalanne makes a hippopotamus bathtub in brass and copper. This unique piece 128 x 84 x 290 cm was sold for $ 4.3M by Christie's on November 12, 2019 from a lower estimate of $ 1M, lot 13 M.
2
1992
2020 SOLD for € 2.1M by Sotheby's
The Swiss sculptor Edouard-Marcel Sandoz also featured animals as his main theme, in a friendly and happy atmosphere. His grandson gets to know Les Lalannes's daughter, who is then performing in the post-1968 festive atmosphere of the "Grand Magic Circus et ses animaux tristes". Twenty years later he commissions François-Xavier to make a family of hippos for his bathroom.
A bathtub, a bidet and a toilet are required. François-Xavier objects to the two small equipment because hippos do not have twins, but he finally accepts. All of these three pieces made in 1992 were sold in a single lot for € 2.1M by Sotheby's on June 25, 2020, lot 115. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This set is usable. The beasts are in patinated bronze, copper and gilded metal, with removable elements. Here are the dimensions : 122 x 75 x 245 cm for the mom bathtub and 61 x 40 x 123 cm for each of the two babies.
A bathtub, a bidet and a toilet are required. François-Xavier objects to the two small equipment because hippos do not have twins, but he finally accepts. All of these three pieces made in 1992 were sold in a single lot for € 2.1M by Sotheby's on June 25, 2020, lot 115. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This set is usable. The beasts are in patinated bronze, copper and gilded metal, with removable elements. Here are the dimensions : 122 x 75 x 245 cm for the mom bathtub and 61 x 40 x 123 cm for each of the two babies.
1970 Bar aux Autruches
2017 SOLD for € 6.2M by Sotheby's
Created around 1882, the Pâte Nouvelle is a new hard paste developed by the Manufacture de Porcelaine de Sèvres, prepared at a lower temperature than the porcelains of the previous century. Around 1965 Antoine d'Albis, head of the Manufacture laboratory, develops on a similar principle an intensely white porcelain referenced PA.A. François-Xavier Lalanne is interested.
Georges Pompidou was a great sponsor of contemporary art. His accession to the presidency of the French Republic in 1969 encouraged new projects.
In 1970 Lalanne edits two very prestigious bars using the new ultra-white porcelain. The Grasshopper Bar, 175 cm long, is produced in two copies only. One was offered by President Pompidou to Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. The other was sold for $ 1.64M by Sotheby's on May 24, 2018.
The Bar aux Autruches, 194 cm long overall, is much original in its design. The tray is held on each side in the beak of an ostrich. The standing birds turn their backs each other for the balance. The folding wings open laterally on a bottle rack. The tray is centered with a removable ice bucket in the shape of an egg. The ostriches are dated 1967 and bear the mark of the Manufacture de Sèvres.
The Ostrich bar was assembled in six units. One of them is exhibited in the permanent collections of the Musée de Sèvres and another one was deposited at the Palais de l'Elysée at the request of Pompidou. Another copy was sold for € 6.2M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017 from a lower estimate of € 700K, lot 40.
Georges Pompidou was a great sponsor of contemporary art. His accession to the presidency of the French Republic in 1969 encouraged new projects.
In 1970 Lalanne edits two very prestigious bars using the new ultra-white porcelain. The Grasshopper Bar, 175 cm long, is produced in two copies only. One was offered by President Pompidou to Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. The other was sold for $ 1.64M by Sotheby's on May 24, 2018.
The Bar aux Autruches, 194 cm long overall, is much original in its design. The tray is held on each side in the beak of an ostrich. The standing birds turn their backs each other for the balance. The folding wings open laterally on a bottle rack. The tray is centered with a removable ice bucket in the shape of an egg. The ostriches are dated 1967 and bear the mark of the Manufacture de Sèvres.
The Ostrich bar was assembled in six units. One of them is exhibited in the permanent collections of the Musée de Sèvres and another one was deposited at the Palais de l'Elysée at the request of Pompidou. Another copy was sold for € 6.2M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017 from a lower estimate of € 700K, lot 40.
1999 Singe by Lalanne
to be narrated later
1
Gilt Bronze Singe II
2020 SOLD for $ 4M by Sotheby's
Link to catalogue.
2
Gilt Bronze Singe I
2020 SOLD for $ 3.5M by Sotheby's
2001 Troupeau d'Eléphants dans les Arbres
2021 SOLD for $ 6.6M by Christie's
to be narrated later
Link to catalogue.
2004 Lapin à Vent
2019 SOLD for € 2.53M by Sotheby's
to be narrated later
Link to catalogue.
2008 Grand Mouflon de Pauline
2019 SOLD for € 2.4M by Sotheby's
The Rhinocrétaire, seminal work by François-Xavier Lalanne, offered from its early conception a range of features : desk, bar, wine rack, safe.
The bar is an important element throughout his work. His first major client, Yves Saint-Laurent, had custom made a non-zoomorphic bar. A tablet bar held by two ostriches using a new technique of Sèvres porcelain was sold for € 6.2M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017. The most recognizable work by the general public remains however the sheep-shaped bench.
Designed in 1993, the Grand Mouflon de Pauline is a synthesis of these two trends. In 2006 the original edition is a 132 x 122 x 47 cm desk made in eight copies plus four artist's proofs. One of them was sold for £ 1.45M by Christie's on March 6, 2018 from a lower estimate of £ 400K.
The 2007 version, made in gilt bronze in the same quantities as the original edition, offers a refinement : two sliding doors open on a bar cabinet. One of these sheep, 128 x 117 x 43 cm, was sold for $ 1.93M by Christie's on June 4, 2019 from a lower estimate of $ 1M.
A Grand Mouflon de Pauline coming directly from the home of Les Lalanne was sold for € 2.4M by Sotheby's on October 23, 2019, lot 38 from a lower estimate of € 600K. This piece of furniture 130 x 120 x 54 cm comes from the 2008 edition of eight copies, which extended the depth of the bar compared to the 2007 edition. François-Xavier Lalanne died in December 2008.
The bar is an important element throughout his work. His first major client, Yves Saint-Laurent, had custom made a non-zoomorphic bar. A tablet bar held by two ostriches using a new technique of Sèvres porcelain was sold for € 6.2M by Sotheby's on November 21, 2017. The most recognizable work by the general public remains however the sheep-shaped bench.
Designed in 1993, the Grand Mouflon de Pauline is a synthesis of these two trends. In 2006 the original edition is a 132 x 122 x 47 cm desk made in eight copies plus four artist's proofs. One of them was sold for £ 1.45M by Christie's on March 6, 2018 from a lower estimate of £ 400K.
The 2007 version, made in gilt bronze in the same quantities as the original edition, offers a refinement : two sliding doors open on a bar cabinet. One of these sheep, 128 x 117 x 43 cm, was sold for $ 1.93M by Christie's on June 4, 2019 from a lower estimate of $ 1M.
A Grand Mouflon de Pauline coming directly from the home of Les Lalanne was sold for € 2.4M by Sotheby's on October 23, 2019, lot 38 from a lower estimate of € 600K. This piece of furniture 130 x 120 x 54 cm comes from the 2008 edition of eight copies, which extended the depth of the bar compared to the 2007 edition. François-Xavier Lalanne died in December 2008.
2015 Ours by Lalanne
2019 SOLD for € 2.3M by Sotheby's
to be narrated later
Link to catalogue.
