Lalanne Mania Contributes Significantly to Sotheby's $100 Million Karpidas Auction Success
In a remarkable display of art market enthusiasm, works by Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne stole the spotlight at Sotheby's recent auction, surpassing their combined high estimate by more than five times. The sale, totalling $100 million, surpassed its high estimate of $53 million, making it a significant event for the duo's works.
The online-only auction that closed on Friday also included works by Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, but specific sale results were not mentioned. However, the Thursday day sale saw several of their pieces commanding impressive prices. Francois-Xavier's bronze Ganesh sold for $623,700, more than six times its high estimate of $95,000. Similarly, Claude Lalanne's Structure végétale mirror and wall light sold for $4.8 million, significantly exceeding its $615,000 high estimate.
Claude Lalanne's Unique Feuilles Frame also found a new home for $90,100, far surpassing its $20,300 high estimate. A set of crocodile stools by Claude Lalanne fetched more than $1.3 million, well above its $340,000 high estimate. Additionally, 23 pieces of jewelry made by Claude Lalanne totaled $695,900, far surpassing its $134,000 collective high estimate.
Experts attribute the high prices for Les Lalanne sculptures to their unusually broad collector base and historical ties to Surrealism. The duo, who lived near Constantin Brancusi in Paris, met Man Ray, Max Ernst, and other artists associated with Surrealism through him.
The sale of Pauline Karpidas's collection, which featured 23 Surrealist works, including 11 by Rene Magritte, was a significant event for works by Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne. The works by the Lalannes accounted for nearly 20% of the evening sale's total, despite being expected to contribute just over 6.5%. This auction did not set a new record for Francois-Xavier, as his record of $19.4 million was established at Christie's Paris in 2023.
Lalanne mania continues to persist, as indicated by an upcoming major exhibition of more than 50 works by Magritte and Les Lalanne at Di Donna Galleries in New York. The exhibition, organised in collaboration with London's Ben Brown Fine Arts, is expected to further fuel the interest in the duo's works.
Prices for Les Lalanne sculptures have surged in recent years, as indicated by an analysis on an unspecified website in April. The name of the gallery presenting this large exhibition is not provided in the available search results. However, it is clear that the appeal of Les Lalanne's unique and surreal creations continues to captivate collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
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