The design world’s love affair with François-Xavier (1927-2008) and Claude Lalanne continues apace. Known as Les Lelanne, you will find their quirky works populating both the stands of leading art fairs and the upper echelons of an auction price list.
François-Xavier’s sheep, whether as flocks or single ovine creations, are much in evidence. However, as this selection of best-sellers from sales on both sides of the Atlantic demonstrates, the menagerie extends to other species from the animal kingdom and to Claude Lalanne’s foliate Ginko designs and beyond.
One of the highest prices at the rostrum for the Lalanne’s work in recent months came in a sale of Contemporary Art held at Christie’s (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) on May 17. Bettering its estimate at $3.8m (£2.85m) was an early, unique creation by François-Xavier Lalanne from 1966. This bar made from various metals and blown glass featuring spherical and ovoid forms, had been created for M and Mme Mayersdorff of Brussels.