PARIS.- Christie's France will hold its Design sale on June 30th and will present more than 118 lots for an overall estimate of nearly €5 million. Commissioned in 1962 and composed of 19 lots, collectors will be able to discover the unique and so recognizable universe of Royère: Sofa and armchairs called "Polar Bear", wall lamp "Liane", table "Flaque", all these works that brought him the fame we know. This commission is referenced at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Royère archives, a very important aspect according to collectors.
Flavien Gaillard, Director of the Design Department: " We are very proud to present this season, an original commission of such quality. Collectors have preserved these works for many years with great care and it is a real pleasure to offer these pieces in an impeccable state of conservation as well as a beautiful provenance and superb documentation. Thanks to this exceptional collection, we are pleased to pay tribute to Jean Royère once again, after the sale dedicated to the French avant-garde that we organized in 2017, which realized more than 3.5 million for 24 lots".
Another remarkable piece is a bicycle, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1941. Made of stainless steel, the idea of the "Monopoutre" bicycle was born in the middle of the war to facilitate the transport of workers between their home and their workplace, all cars having been requisitioned by the French state. As the project did not see the light of day, only about ten of these bicycles were produced. The model is now part of the Centre Georges Pompidou’s collections and was exhibited in 1991 during the major retrospective devoted to the designer (estimate: €40,000-60,000).
Other artists will also be honored, such as Claude Lalanne, to whom the sale will pay tribute with a unique owl bed designed in 2004. This bed, which illustrates the artist's dreamlike universe, perfectly represents the mastery of the electroplating technique which involved in choosing branches found in her garden before immobilizing them in fantastic structures. An owl sits at the top of the headboard. Symbolizing the night, this animal, although rare in her creative universe, finds its place here (estimate: €200,000-300,000). In addition, a superb woolen sheep by François-Xavier Lalanne, made very early in the artist's career, will be exhibited at the foot of this bed, perfectly illustrating the world of this outstanding couple (estimate: €500,000-700,000).
A beautiful collection of contemporary design will also be featured with a selection of ten pieces purchased at the Kreo gallery. Important works by the Bouroullec brothers, Martin Szekely, and Pierre Charpin will be in conversation in Christie's viewing rooms.
A beautiful DL Corian desk by Martin Szekely estimated at €12,000-18,000 or a Heroic Shelves library estimated at €15,000-20,000 will be among the important lots in this section. This selection of Avant-garde Design will feature a collection of works by Hubert Le Gall whose fantasy and universe will be represented with his Romulus mirror (estimate: €25,000-35,000) or his Orange desk (estimate: €20,000-30,000).
