PARIS.- Today’s Design auction achieved solid results, totaling €19.4M / $20.4M, further strengthening Christie’s position as a leader in the design market.
The Shaping Colors collection, featuring 250 ceramics by Jacques and Dani Ruelland, made a significant impact at the opening of the auction, drawing considerable attention. Curated with passion over a decade by the collector duo Frédéric Cassin, a businessman in Singapore, and Cristina Córdula, a prominent fashion and TV personality, the collection harmoniously combined colors and shapes, striking a chord with a dynamic Asian clientele. Stunningly displayed by the stylist at Christie’s, the exhibition attracted nearly 2,000 visitors within just a few days. Among the most remarkable pieces, a set of five bottles and three vases from the 1960s-1970s (lot 40) achieved the highest bid, reaching €44,100. Additionally, a Lentille vase (1970-1980) (lot 29) was sold for €40,320, nearly four times its original estimate, highlighting the exceptional demand for these creations.
The true highlight of the sale was the Lady Harrison collection, comprising four works by Diego Giacometti, directly from the artist’s studio, which achieved €12.3M. Among these pieces, a new world record was set for a Diego Giacometti work (lot 68), Console Promenade des Amis, reaching €9.5M. This spectacular result once again underscores the immense recognition of the artist’s work, confirming his undisputed status among the great design masters of the 20th century. It also marks a record auction price for design in France in 2024, continuing the streak of exceptional performances, following last year’s Rhinocrétaire I by François-Xavier Lalanne.
The auction also saw exceptional results for large-scale pieces, such as the Paire de fauteuils 'Oeuf' (lot 113) by Jean Royère, which sold for €415,800, the desserte by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, which fetched €138,600, nearly three times its high estimate, and a lamp Etoile (lot 70) by Alberto Giacometti, which reached €277,200. A separating panel (lot 107) by Jean Prouvé also garnered great interest, selling for €189,000. The poetic whimsy of François-Xavier Lalanne was also showcased, with notable works like a Singe SI (lot 141) in patinated bronze (circa 1992), which sold for €882,000, a Dame blanche (circa 2004) (lot 147) reaching €378,000, and a black marble Cat (1987) (lot 139) that achieved eight times its high estimate, at €163,800. A lapin (lot 148) also made a splash, exceeding ten times its initial estimate and selling for €327,600. Claude Lalanne's creations and jewelry also captivated collectors, achieving impressive prices well above their estimates.
These results confirm the vitality of the design market, while highlighting the growing appeal of exceptional collections. They reaffirm Christie’s as the leader for collectors and design enthusiasts worldwide.
