"Mouton", a circa 1986 Francois-Xavier Lalanne-designed model sheep has sold for $341,000 as part of Sotheby's New York sale of Important 20th Century Design (June 12).
 “Mouton” model sheep were made in limited quantities and are very sought after today |
The price represents a 13.7% increase on the work's $300,000 valuation.
New York Times art critic Gloria Emerson writes of Lalanne's "Moutons": "They're not furniture, they're not sculpture - just call them Lalannes."
Lalanne is known for his quirky, occasionally surreal take on art and design. He shot to fame after French musician Serge Gainsbourg chose a work by Lalanne to feature on the cover of his 1976 release, L'Homme a Tete Chou (Man with Cabbage Head).
A similarly a-functional bronze ape by the late French artist and furniture designer sold for $413,000 earlier this month, while an auction featuring a flock of 10 Lalanne sheep made a record $7.5m in December 2012.
A rare silver coffee service by late American designer Paul Lobel led the present auction.
 The striking Paul Lobel coffee service |
The modernist service, which comprises a coffee pot, sugar bowl, creamer and a tray, made $449,000 - a 349% increase on its $100,000 high estimate.
Created circa 1934, the silver coffee service is fresh to the market. Having been given to Frances Alice Davidson and William Charles Sonnhalter as a wedding gift in 1938, the service had remained with the pair's family until yesterday's auction.
Several works by Tiffany Studios also contributed to total sales of $4.7m.
A rare, turn of the century "dragonfly and waterflowers" table lamp sold for $257,000, while an elegant Tiffany Studios "peony border" standing lamp made $221,000.
We have a range of antique furniture in stock, including this beautiful John Linnell-made antique cabinet.
