NEW YORK, NY.- A monumental Lalanne sculpture, Carpe (Très Grande), achieved an impressive $2,430,313 at Bonhams’ Modern Decorative Art + Design Sale in New York on December 17. Conceived and cast in 2000, the work had an estimate of $650,000-850,000.

Bonhams Head of Modern Decorative Art and Design in New York, Benjamin Walker said: “This is one of the largest works ever cast by Les Lalanne, and it perfectly encapsulated the playfulness that they were known for. François-Xavier was particularly famous for his exploration of ‘Les Animalier’ themes, and Carpe (Très Grande) is an exceptional example of the elegant execution of his craft. We’re thrilled that it achieved such an impressive result – the highest price of any design work in the very busy New York Design week.”

Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne – known simply as Les Lalanne – were one of the most creative and experimental duos of the 20th century. With their own instantly recognisable surrealist style, which combines playful whimsy with simplified elegance, they embraced the ground-breaking concept of valuing the functionality of sculpture just as highly as its decorative qualities. Their names are forever linked artistically and personally – they were together from 1952 until François-Xavier’s death in 2008 – but, although they constantly shared ideas, they worked on their own pieces individually.

Other highlights include:

• Jean Dunand (1877-1942) & François-Louis Schmied (1873-1941), La forêt. Circa 1929. Sold for $119,062.

• Albert Cheuret (1884-1966), Lamp Model 'Aloès'. Circa 1930. Sold for $62,812.

• Paul Iribe (1883-1935), Tripod Stool, 1914. Sold for $60,312.

• Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976), Spiral Brooch. Circa 1947. Sold for $60,312.