François-Xavier Lalanne was born in 1927 in Agen. After the war, he moved to Paris where he studied at the Académie Julian to become a painter. On the occasion of his first exhibition at the Cimaise Gallery in Paris in 1952, Lalanne met Claude Dupeux (Lalanne), his future wife. After meeting her, he gave up painting and started working with her.
The first joint exhibition for Claude and François-Xavier, titled "Zoophite," took place in 1964 at the J. Gallery. They revealed their creations — hybrids of sculptures and everyday objects. In 1966, they introduced themselves under the name Les Lalanne.
The two artists each created their own works but shared a common universe inspired by the animal and plant world and often exhibited together.
François-Xavier invented a bestiary composed of monkeys, rhinos, donkeys, camels, toads, hippos and cats. Among them, the sheep was undoubtedly his favorite animal. Alone or in a flock, with or without a head, sheathed in the fleece of sheep or not, his sheep sculptures can also constitute seats. His will, shared by Claude, was to desacralize the sculpture to give it a familiar dimension.
François-Xavier and Claude are also known for their public commissions. For example, in France, François-Xavier created two concrete pigeons in the city of Grande-Borne in Grigny, and Les Pleureuses (“The Mourners”) is a monumental fountain created in 1986 by the couple that was installed at the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan.
The work of Les Lalanne is exhibited throughout the world, presented in both galleries and museums. The retrospective organized in 2010 by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is one of the last major exhibitions of the duo.
Find authentic Claude Lalanne furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Bailly Gallery Geneva-Paris)
Claude Lalanne “Eglantine” Copper Hairpin
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
Claude Lalanne’s jewelry holds an esteemed place among the world’s most sophisticated and stylish women. This hairpin, designed as a sprawling eglantine rose, is a testament to her c...
Copper
Claude Lalanne (French, 1925-2019) A Rare Pink Silk and Bronze Ginkgo Handbag
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Long Island City, NY
Indulge in the enchanting world of Claude Lalanne with the exquisite Ginkgo Handbag, a wearable masterpiece from Lalanne's iconic Ginkgo collection. Crafted with unparalleled artistr...
Bronze
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Long Island City, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) a rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3.5" wide Great condition. Ready...
Bronze
Fope Gioielli Elegant 18 Karat Gold Picture Frame
Located in Darnestown, MD
How better to remember a special person or event than in this elegant gold picture frame by Fope Gioielli? Fope has been creating fine jewelry in Venice since 1929. The sculptural ...
18k Gold
$1,104Sale Price|20% Off
Rare “Le Must the Cartier” Paris Logotype 18k Pink Gold & Black Lacquer Lighter
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Rare “Le Must the Cartier” Paris Logotype 18k Pink Gold & Black Lacquer Lighter Rare “Le Must the Cartier” Paris Logotype Pink Gold and Black Lacquer Lighter Cartier Oval lighter wi...
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Gold
$434Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.63 in W 8.08 in D 0.99 in
Rare 1923 Harrods London Sterling Silver Vanity Manicure Nail Kit Set Suite
By Harrods
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Harrods London 1923 fully hallmarked Sterling Silver manicure set A...
Sterling Silver
Mexican Sterling Silver Hairpin
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This elegant and simply designed hairpin is perfect for all occasions. Features a curved oval design with a 3.75" pin to secure the hair in place, suitable for half-ups and updos ali...
Sterling Silver
$800
H 8.43 in W 2.17 in D 0.79 in
Antique Chinese Hairpin Flowers Butterfly Silver Brass Metal Wire Glass
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This most amazing hair pin was handcrafted in China in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It is designed as a bouquet of flowers with a butterfly.
Silver, Brass
$539Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.17 in W 0.99 in D 0.67 in
EXQUISITE 1881 HALLMARKED STERLING SiLVER SAMPSON MORDAN VICTORIAN SCENT BOTTLE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super collectable solid Sterling Silver full hallmarked scent bottle with the original period...
Sterling Silver
$321Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in W 0.71 in D 0.71 in
F J H THOMAS 1889 HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER REPOUSSE ViCTORIAN SCENT BOTTLE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super collectable solid Sterling Silver fully hallmarked scent bottle with the original perio...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Hermes "Sac G8" Handbag in Black Box Leather
By Hermès
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare 1950s Hermes bag. By Hermes. In Black Box calf leather with gold plated hardware. In the rare G8 form. An elegant and practical take on the...
$7,400Sale Price|20% Off
W 6.75 in L 9.75 in
Emerald & Diamond Studded Floral Motif Photo Frame In Gold & Silver
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
This ornate photo frame combines the richness of emeralds and the brilliance of diamonds in an intricate floral motif. Crafted with a blend of gold and silver, it serves as both a fu...
Diamond, Emerald, 10k Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Gold
$1,250
H 5.25 in W 3.38 in D 2.5 in
Postmodern Silver Plate 'Ripple' Photo Frame by TsAO & McKown for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful postmodern silver-plated easel back frame. Designed by TsAO & Mckown for Swid Powell. Model no. 3311 - entitled the "Ripple" frame. Comprising a one-piece, welded ease...
Silver Plate
Cartier Platinum and Diamond Comb, ca. 1925s
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A fine and rare Cartier platinum and diamond comb and case, ca. 1925s, signed Cartier London and numbered 8789, in its original suede pouch. A fine examp...
Diamond, Platinum
$2,713Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.95 in W 3.15 in D 2.37 in
Rare circa 1900 Sterling Silver Diamond and Enamel Powder Compact with Lipstick
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer For sale this stunning circa 1900 French or Italian Sterling silver Diamond & Enamel powder compact with lipstick...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Claude Lalanne Papillon Bracelet Artcurial Edition
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
Portman Gallery is pleased to offer a bracelet from Claude Lalanne’s “Les Sept Papillons D’Or” series for Artcurial. Clearly marked, numbered 44/250 and with its original certific...
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Claude Lalanne, Unique Cornouiller brooch, Copper, Circa 1980
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
Portman Gallery is proud to offer this unique Claude Lalanne galvanized copper brooch from an important collection. The large part of Claude Lalanne’s jewelry is editioned. This ...
Copper
Claude Lalanne For Zolotas Rare Sculptural Laurel Leaves Ring 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Miami, FL
Laurel leaves ring designed by Claude Lalanne (1924-2019) for Zolotas. Beautiful artistic three-dimensional piece, created by the French sculptor Claude Lalanne for Zolotas, back in the 1980's. This rare modernist sculptural ring...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Claude Lalanne Bronze Necklace
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
A rare French cast bronze necklace with red-brown patina by Claude Lalanne. The necklace comprises of individual leaves with exquisite detailing, each...
Bronze
1980s Claude Lalanne, Vermeil "Groseilles" Earrings
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
A pair of gilt bronze "Groseilles" earrings, by French artist and jeweler Claude Lalanne, c. 1980. An edition by Artcurial, 86/250. These earrings measure 2"h x 1" w and they are s...
Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1970s Claude Lalanne Gold Flower Ear Clips
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat gold pair of flower ear clips made circa 1970 by the French sculptor and jeweler, Claude Lalanne (b. 1924). French marks; Edition 2/75. Lalanne, who studied architecture, and is inspired by the natural world, long co-created objects with her husband, Francois Xavier-Lalanne, who died in 2008. Les Lalanne's sculpture and jewelry has been collected by Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Claude Lalanne's more recent electroplated copper jewels...
18k Gold
Claude Lalanne Bronze Pin, Smiling Apple
By Claude Lalanne
Located in New Hope, PA
This witty bronze apple, or pomme bouche, was first designed by the French sculptor Claude Lalanne in 1975. This pin was reissued by Arthus Bertrand for the exhibit "Les Champs de la...
Bronze