In 1989 Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne realized six monumental fountains in stainless steel and copper for a public promenade in Santa Monica. Each one is another model of dinosaur with however some liberty compared to the scientific truth. Each sculpture is also used as a flower box, allowing a seasonal decoration covering the entire surface excepted head, crest and claws in accordance with the gardener's fantasy.
One of the six is an intruder : the dimetrodon that lived 280 million years ago is anterior to the dinosaurs and closer to mammals. Indeed the exuberant ornament of its back can make him look like a stegosaurus. This dorsal sail served to regulate its temperature during an exposure to the sun. Wikipedia in French adds not without boldness that this organ also served for seduction during courtship display.
Dimetrodon II was made with the same materials on a commission from a collector in 1998 and can also be used as a fountain. With its 5.30 m long it is larger than the prehistoric animal which did not exceed 3.50 m. It is adding to the seductive power of the original beast an elegant frontal horn.
Numbered 1/1 this artwork which enters the very rare category of the topiary installations is estimated $ 500K for sale by Sotheby's in New York on June 6, lot 127.
SOLD for $ 540K including premium
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