The Rhino Desk That Set Francois-Xavier Lalanne's Auction Record

François-Xavier Lalanne, RHINOCRÉTAIRE I (1964) sold for $19.4m (EUR18.34m) at Christie's in Paris on October 20, 2023. The sculpture-desk, made of patinated brass, patinated bronze, zinc, brass, silver-plated brass, leather and natural wax; lighting system; a key / patinated brass, patinated bronze, zinc, brass, silvered brass, leather and natural wax; electrical components. It was acquired in 1964 and then passed by descent.

In the summer of 1964 Jeanine de Goldschmidt’s Galerie in Paris presented the painter-turned-sculptor François-Xavier Lalanne's first major sculpture in a joint exhibition with his wife Claude Lalanne, who specialized in plant-inspired objects.

The artist's Rhinocrétaire, an illuminated desk, bar and a safe as well as sculture became his signature work. He made four iterations of his rhino-sculpture, two of which had brass sides and two in copper, all of them unique pieces.

His rhino-desk was followed by a menagerie of animal-themed functional sculptures, including sheep-stools and chairs and rabbit-shaped lamps.

The sale beat Lalanne's previous auction record by $9.79m, a 100% rise. The previous record was set by Léopard I (2005), which sold for $9.61m at Sotheby's on November 4, 2021.

A Brief History of Francois-Xavier Lalanne at Auction