"Papillon" gilded Bronze Necklace by Claude Lalanne, Artcurial Edition

We no longer present the dreamlike and poetic universe of Claude Lalanne (1925-2019), who built a career as flourishing as it was fanciful, at all scales of sculpture and artist furniture, in duo from 1956 with her husband the sculptor François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008). Between them they have conquered the entire international jet-set with their furniture bestiary, highlighting the utilitarian aspect of their sculptures. The style of Claude Lalanne's own creations is as much animal as plant. She was interested in the format of the human body, to place astonishing jewelry in bronze or copper, often using the electroforming technique. We particularly remember these famous gilded bronze busts worn by the famous model Veruschka for Yves Saint-Laurent - the couturier adored all the creations of the Lalanne couple - with whom she began a long collaboration, from 1965, and until the death of Saint Laurent in 2008. His jewelry is particularly popular with contemporary collectors, who have contributed to considerably increasing the price of all of the couple's creations, whether unique pieces or in limited editions (notably since the major Christie's sale of the Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé collection organized at the Grand-Palais in 2009). With Claude Lalanne, orchid and gingko flowers wrap around the neck, generous mouths or butterflies with outstretched wings rest on forged torques... These poetic jewels are defined by a stylized, gently “brutalist” carving. and by their sometimes surrealist inspiration. In the 70s to 90s, the artist worked regularly with the Parisian gallery Artcurial, located Avenue Matignon, in the 8th arrondissement, which published some of his creations, earrings, brooches or necklaces, pendants or bracelets, small bags evening... The originality of this Butterfly necklace lies essentially in the articulation of the torque, the easy opening of the necklace from the front, thanks to a hook joining the two wings, which grants mobility and vibration to the beautiful insect.
Numbered 34/250