Modern Tables
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Furniture Modern furniture Lalanne
Chronology : 2001
See also : Furniture Modern furniture Lalanne
Chronology : 2001
1939 The Goodyear Table by Noguchi
2014 SOLD for $ 4.45M by Phillips
Isamu Noguchi is a sculptor. Trained in Paris in 1927 by Brancusi, he does not want to make a difference between fine arts and utilitarian arts. At first he produced stage sets and theater costumes, in a style that tended towards abstraction.
In 1939 he executes two projects for sculptures to serve as monumental fountains, which remain little appreciated. The quality of his work however attracts the attention of A. Conger Goodyear, the president of MoMA, who orders him a table to match his living room.
Noguchi had never created furniture. The Goodyear table is therefore his masterpiece in the etymological sense of the wording. He interlocks two pieces in rosewood carved with somewhat biomorphic abstract curves, on which he places a glass top.
The Goodyear table, 73 x 210 x 87 cm, has retained its original glass. It was sold on December 16, 2014 by Phillips for $ 4.45M from a lower estimate of $ 2M, lot 12.
The end of the war allowed to start new projects. In 1948 the Herman Miller company edited the Noguchi table, a 40 x 127 x 91 cm coffee table directly inspired by the Goodyear table. The base is now made up of two identical elements in opposite positions. The success is considerable : the Noguchi table has been in the Herman Miller catalog for 72 years, with only two interruptions between 1973 and 1984.
In 1939 he executes two projects for sculptures to serve as monumental fountains, which remain little appreciated. The quality of his work however attracts the attention of A. Conger Goodyear, the president of MoMA, who orders him a table to match his living room.
Noguchi had never created furniture. The Goodyear table is therefore his masterpiece in the etymological sense of the wording. He interlocks two pieces in rosewood carved with somewhat biomorphic abstract curves, on which he places a glass top.
The Goodyear table, 73 x 210 x 87 cm, has retained its original glass. It was sold on December 16, 2014 by Phillips for $ 4.45M from a lower estimate of $ 2M, lot 12.
The end of the war allowed to start new projects. In 1948 the Herman Miller company edited the Noguchi table, a 40 x 127 x 91 cm coffee table directly inspired by the Goodyear table. The base is now made up of two identical elements in opposite positions. The success is considerable : the Noguchi table has been in the Herman Miller catalog for 72 years, with only two interruptions between 1973 and 1984.
1950 Italy at Work by Mollino
2020 SOLD for $ 6.2M by Sotheby's
Architect and interior designer, Carlo Mollino has led his career as a synthesis of his exuberant passions : high-flying, skiing, photography, women. After the war, independently of each other, Mollino and Noguchi design the furniture of the future.
Italy looked for new solutions for its reconstruction. An exhibition entitled Italy at Work is dedicated by a consortium of US museums to the renaissance of Italian design. Mollino is invited to prepare the furnishings for an all purpose room.
The main piece of furniture for Mollino's participation in Italy at Work is a dining table, 77 x 250 x 80 cm, designed in 1949 and made in 1950 in plywood, maple and brass by Apelli e Varesio. The technical feat adds to the artistic novelty : his use of large-scale molded plywood is unprecedented in the history of furniture.
The table returns in 1954 to the Brooklyn Museum after the traveling exhibition by a gift from the Italian government. It was sold for $ 6.2M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on October 28, 2020, lot 16, for the support of the museum's collections. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Italy looked for new solutions for its reconstruction. An exhibition entitled Italy at Work is dedicated by a consortium of US museums to the renaissance of Italian design. Mollino is invited to prepare the furnishings for an all purpose room.
The main piece of furniture for Mollino's participation in Italy at Work is a dining table, 77 x 250 x 80 cm, designed in 1949 and made in 1950 in plywood, maple and brass by Apelli e Varesio. The technical feat adds to the artistic novelty : his use of large-scale molded plywood is unprecedented in the history of furniture.
The table returns in 1954 to the Brooklyn Museum after the traveling exhibition by a gift from the Italian government. It was sold for $ 6.2M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on October 28, 2020, lot 16, for the support of the museum's collections. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Diego GIACOMETTI
Intro
Diego Giacometti was thirteen months younger than Alberto. Decorators and sculptors, they establish their studio together in Montparnasse. The pieces of furnishing that they realize in the 1930s in particular for Jean-Michel Frank appeal by their modernism.
The war separates them temporarily. At that moment their art takes very different directions. While Alberto expresses existentialism by relying on surrealism, Diego does not leave decoration and realism. He meets the desires of his customers with his nice and humorous themes where animal figures come to perch on the struts or to huddle in the table legs.
Circa 1978, twelve years after the death of Alberto, Diego designs and executes for a customer a bronze table in the shape of a regular octagon 170 cm wide. The top is carried by eight legs in front of which the artist dispositions in the extension of each horizontal bar a standing figure in the threadlike style of Alberto. This late synthesis of the art of the Giacometti brothers is scarce and unexpected. The table was sold for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's on November 15, 2016.
The war separates them temporarily. At that moment their art takes very different directions. While Alberto expresses existentialism by relying on surrealism, Diego does not leave decoration and realism. He meets the desires of his customers with his nice and humorous themes where animal figures come to perch on the struts or to huddle in the table legs.
Circa 1978, twelve years after the death of Alberto, Diego designs and executes for a customer a bronze table in the shape of a regular octagon 170 cm wide. The top is carried by eight legs in front of which the artist dispositions in the extension of each horizontal bar a standing figure in the threadlike style of Alberto. This late synthesis of the art of the Giacometti brothers is scarce and unexpected. The table was sold for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's on November 15, 2016.
1
1976 Promenade des Amis
2024 SOLD for € 9.5M by Christie's
Promenade des amis is a playful scene designed in 1976 by Diego Giacometti. It stages trees, horses and dogs in various numbers for various furnishing configurations.
The 88 cm high console table in patinated bronze with a glass top 121 x 35 cm stages on the spacer a horse with raised head confronting three dogs following one another amidst three trees with a round foliage. The first dog barks aggressively to the horse. The second dog is ready to jump and the farther dog is waiting.
An example was sold for € 9.5M from a lower estimate of € 1.5M by Christie's on December 3, 2024, lot 68.
In the same style and similar size based on a console sculpture created ca 1972 for James Lord, Biche, Arbre et Renard à l'affût, executed in 1976-1978 by Diego, was sold for € 2.93M by Ader on December 4, 2024, lot 33.
The 88 cm high console table in patinated bronze with a glass top 121 x 35 cm stages on the spacer a horse with raised head confronting three dogs following one another amidst three trees with a round foliage. The first dog barks aggressively to the horse. The second dog is ready to jump and the farther dog is waiting.
An example was sold for € 9.5M from a lower estimate of € 1.5M by Christie's on December 3, 2024, lot 68.
In the same style and similar size based on a console sculpture created ca 1972 for James Lord, Biche, Arbre et Renard à l'affût, executed in 1976-1978 by Diego, was sold for € 2.93M by Ader on December 4, 2024, lot 33.
2
1978 Hommage à Böcklin
2021 SOLD for $ 6.8M by Sotheby's
The glass top console Hommage à Böcklin is a tribute by Diego Giacometti to the Toteninsel by the previous Swiss artist.
Diego took for that reference the cypress trees limited to two groups of two in a degrading symmetry on both sides of a moon shaped golden disc in the interior crossbars. A contemplating owl is perched on one of the side bars.
This model was designed ca 1978. An example 90 x 110 x 34 cm in patinated and gilt bronze and patinated iron was sold for $ 6.8M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on December 8, 2021, lot 118.
Diego took for that reference the cypress trees limited to two groups of two in a degrading symmetry on both sides of a moon shaped golden disc in the interior crossbars. A contemplating owl is perched on one of the side bars.
This model was designed ca 1978. An example 90 x 110 x 34 cm in patinated and gilt bronze and patinated iron was sold for $ 6.8M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on December 8, 2021, lot 118.
3
1980 Hommage à Böcklin, console
2023 SOLD for £ 5.1M by Christie's
An example executed in 1980 in bronze and iron with green and grey patina and copper of the Hommage à Böcklin was sold for £ 5,1M from a lower estimate of £ 2M by Christie's on October 13, 2023, lot 18.
4
1980 Table aux Caryatides et Atlantes
2017 SOLD for € 4.2M by Christie's
In 1970 Hubert de Givenchy is seduced by the simple and effective creations by Diego Giacometti with which he will populate his manor. The collection of the works executed by Diego for Givenchy is dispersed by Christie's on March 6, 2017.
This set includes three examples in bronze and wood of the octagonal table "aux caryatides et atlantes". A table 162 cm in diameter made circa 1980 was sold for € 4.2M from a lower estimate of € 600K, lot 16.
Two tables 190 cm in diameter were made circa 1983. They were sold for € 3.8M, lot 7, and € 3.3M, lot 11.
This set includes three examples in bronze and wood of the octagonal table "aux caryatides et atlantes". A table 162 cm in diameter made circa 1980 was sold for € 4.2M from a lower estimate of € 600K, lot 16.
Two tables 190 cm in diameter were made circa 1983. They were sold for € 3.8M, lot 7, and € 3.3M, lot 11.
LALANNE
1
2001 Troupeau d'Eléphants dans les Arbres 1/8
2021 SOLD for $ 6.6M by Christie's
Troupeau d'éléphants dans les arbres is a playful installation made in 2001 by François-Xavier Lalanne, mingling furniture and animal art. The 1/8 was sold for $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Christie's on June 10, 2021, lot 17. All elements are impressed FxL LALANNE 1/8 2001.
It had been commissioned by Sydell Miller and was a highlight of her 'La Rêverie' Palm Beach home. Four others were made for other customers.
The octagonal table in gilt bronze and glass is 81 cm high and 160 cm in diameter. Its four legs are trees. The branches without leaves support the top. The seven elephants of various sizes in gilt bronze are standing each alone on various attitudes. They may be positioned under or on the table, like toys. The biggest is 52 cm high.
Interestingly this composition associates the signature animal models of François-Xavier with the vegetal world of Claude.
It had been commissioned by Sydell Miller and was a highlight of her 'La Rêverie' Palm Beach home. Four others were made for other customers.
The octagonal table in gilt bronze and glass is 81 cm high and 160 cm in diameter. Its four legs are trees. The branches without leaves support the top. The seven elephants of various sizes in gilt bronze are standing each alone on various attitudes. They may be positioned under or on the table, like toys. The biggest is 52 cm high.
Interestingly this composition associates the signature animal models of François-Xavier with the vegetal world of Claude.
2
2001 Troupeau d'Eléphants dans les Arbres 2/8
2024 SOLD for $ 11.6M by Sotheby's
The 2/8 of the Troupeau d'éléphants dans les arbres had been acquired in 2001 by the same collector who had commissioned the 1/8. All elements are impressed FxL LALANNE 2/8 2001.
Coming from her collection, it was sold for $ 11.6M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Sotheby's on November 18, 2024, lot 3. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Coming from her collection, it was sold for $ 11.6M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Sotheby's on November 18, 2024, lot 3. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
3
2006 Les Deux Capricornes Attablés
2021 SOLD for € 4.8M by Sotheby's
Mingling astrology and fancy, the capricorne does not properly exist. It is indeed no more than a horned goat, but it was sufficient to excite the fancy of François-Xavier Lalanne.
Some variations exist. Standing in its four legs with an elongated body, Capricorne III is a bench in the following of the Moutons. Cast by Bocquel in 2007, the artist's proof EA 3/4 70 x 123 x 34,5 cm patinated bronze was sold for € 1.83M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2021, lot 62 from the collection of Dorothée Lalanne.
There is no limit in François-Xavier's fancy. Les Deux capricornes attablés display a composite beast with a head at each end, looking outwards. The table top in glass is posed on the two pairs of horns. Attablé is a fancy meaning by the artist properly meaning seated at a table.
Edited in 2006, the gilt patinated bronze 2/8, 85 x 210 x 105 cm, was sold for € 4.8M from a lower estimate of € 200K by Sotheby's in the same sale as above, lot 10.
Some variations exist. Standing in its four legs with an elongated body, Capricorne III is a bench in the following of the Moutons. Cast by Bocquel in 2007, the artist's proof EA 3/4 70 x 123 x 34,5 cm patinated bronze was sold for € 1.83M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2021, lot 62 from the collection of Dorothée Lalanne.
There is no limit in François-Xavier's fancy. Les Deux capricornes attablés display a composite beast with a head at each end, looking outwards. The table top in glass is posed on the two pairs of horns. Attablé is a fancy meaning by the artist properly meaning seated at a table.
Edited in 2006, the gilt patinated bronze 2/8, 85 x 210 x 105 cm, was sold for € 4.8M from a lower estimate of € 200K by Sotheby's in the same sale as above, lot 10.
2002 Nénuphars Console by Claude Lalanne
2024 SOLD for $ 3.84M by Sotheby's
The crocodiles enter the world of Claude Lalanne in 1972 when she first uses electroplating with a corpse collected in the Paris Zoo. The whole metallic crocodile is used as a matrix for a bronze which is hooked to the backrest structure of a seat.
Over the years she gradually edits a suite of crocodile seats in gilt bronze and copper with leather cushions. On December 13, 2017 a pair of armchairs made in 1997 was separated by Sotheby's at $ 980K and 1,15M respectively.
The bench designed by Claude in 2006 is more spacious, 79 x 140 x 74 cm compared to the 78 x 61 x 64 cm of an armchair. There is now the place for two crocodiles in a similar position. The tight composition has become airy. This Banquette is edited in 2007 in eight copies plus four artist proofs with the mark of the Figini foundry. The number 2/8 was sold for € 750K by Tajan on April 4, 2018, lot 9.
The Bureau Croco by Claude Lalanne is another design with the bronze skin spreading on the top. One of them dated 2009 was sold for $ 2.17M by Sotheby's on December 13, 2017
Looking for the beauty of nature, Claude conceives the use of other elements in a variety of furnishings such as tables, seats and mirrors.
She executed in 2002 a pair of electroplated patterns of waterlilies from bud to blossom which were cast in gilt bronze as unique copies for holding a glass top.
That pair of Nénuphars consoles 86 x 150 x 85 cm each was acquired new by Sydell Miller from the artist through the fashion maker architect Peter Marino. She used them near her Nymphéas by Monet.
They were estimated $ 1.5M each in the sale of her collection by Sotheby's on November 18, 2024. The lot 6 was sold for $ 3.84M and the lot 7 for $ 2.16M. Please watch the short videos shared by the auction house for the former and latter lots. The Monet was sold for $ 66M in the same sale.
Over the years she gradually edits a suite of crocodile seats in gilt bronze and copper with leather cushions. On December 13, 2017 a pair of armchairs made in 1997 was separated by Sotheby's at $ 980K and 1,15M respectively.
The bench designed by Claude in 2006 is more spacious, 79 x 140 x 74 cm compared to the 78 x 61 x 64 cm of an armchair. There is now the place for two crocodiles in a similar position. The tight composition has become airy. This Banquette is edited in 2007 in eight copies plus four artist proofs with the mark of the Figini foundry. The number 2/8 was sold for € 750K by Tajan on April 4, 2018, lot 9.
The Bureau Croco by Claude Lalanne is another design with the bronze skin spreading on the top. One of them dated 2009 was sold for $ 2.17M by Sotheby's on December 13, 2017
Looking for the beauty of nature, Claude conceives the use of other elements in a variety of furnishings such as tables, seats and mirrors.
She executed in 2002 a pair of electroplated patterns of waterlilies from bud to blossom which were cast in gilt bronze as unique copies for holding a glass top.
That pair of Nénuphars consoles 86 x 150 x 85 cm each was acquired new by Sydell Miller from the artist through the fashion maker architect Peter Marino. She used them near her Nymphéas by Monet.
They were estimated $ 1.5M each in the sale of her collection by Sotheby's on November 18, 2024. The lot 6 was sold for $ 3.84M and the lot 7 for $ 2.16M. Please watch the short videos shared by the auction house for the former and latter lots. The Monet was sold for $ 66M in the same sale.
