Pure and Rational Beauties
Claude Lalanne”L’Enlevement d’Europe”, 1990
Modern Design Visionaries
Strong sales results from both Philipps de Pury and Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design indicate a fervent interest in art deco, modern, and contemporary design. The auction house saw a very positive result for their Claude Lalanne’ “L’enlevement d’Europe” (pictured above) sculpture. This striking piece tells the story of Princess Europa “overtaken by the god Jupiter (in bull form) results in the birth of Minos and the beginning of civilization on the island of Crete – the mythical first spark of society and culture that would sow the seeds for the European continent itself.” The following designs also made news in the art world this week.
Robert Mapplethorpe, Black and white plates
Above left: A series of Zaha Hadid contemporary shelves
Above: Gio Ponti colorful desk, and chairs
Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, an outstanding chaise, and a pair of upholstered chairs
(in the background)
“Pure and rational form, translated in a beautiful material, is a requirement.”Emile Jacques Ruhlmann
Jean Prouvé desk, and shelves
SOTHEBY’S
Left: Paul T. Frankl, “Speed” chair and ottoman, circa 1941. Right: Paul T. Frankl, “Skyscraper” bookcase from the library of Lucile Layton Zinman and M. Boyd Zinman,
1200 Fifth Avenue, NYC, circa 1927
Top: Michele Oka Doner, circa 1968, Seven torso sculptures, porcelain, acrylic and steel
Bottom: George Nakashima custom “Kornblut” cabinet, 1984, Persian walnut, American black walnut. East Indian rosewood and burl
Paul Evans, “Sculpture Front” cabinet, 1969
Albert Paley “Masterworks” Sideboard, forged steel and glass, circa 1991
Details of the Masterworks sideboard by Albert Paley
Left: Judy Kensley McKie, “Faces” cabinet, 1991. Painted wood and glass. Right: Hans Wegner, Papa Bear Chair, circa 1950s
Far Left: Paavo Tynell, pair of floor lamps, circa 1945. Right: Pair of “Clam”
armchairs by Philip Arctander, circa 1944
An important prototype “large steel”, circa 1950
A series of Gerrit Thomas Rietvelt Zig Zag Chairs, circa 1967
Gio Ponti, a rare “Proteo” desk lamp, circa 1960
Photos by High End Weekly
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