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 (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
$966Sale Price|30% 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 lighte...
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Gold
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...
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
$2,760Sale 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
Bronze Tone Tiara with Faux Pearls, Beads and Rhinestones
Located in London, GB
Fabulous bronze tone tiara featuring white and bronze faux pearls, black beads and rhinestones. It has an unusual twig design. Measuring maximum width at the front 5.8 cm / 2.28 inc...
$14,337
W 3.15 in L 5.56 in
Gustave-Roger Sandoz, Rare Art Deco Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case, circa 1925
Located in Paris, FR
Express Shipping still available during Lockdown Gustave-Roger Sandoz Cigarette Case, Circa 1925 Silver with Enamel geometric decoration on both sides. The clasp set with a cabochon...
Onyx, Silver
$464Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Ronson Black Lather Lighter
Located in New York, NY
Ronson Black Bound lather lighter A lovely vintage Ronson gas leather bound lighter, it has been used and we would say no more than a few times as this is in super condition, leathe...
Stainless Steel
$1,075
H 18.27 in W 7.01 in D 0.52 in L 18.27 in
Antique Art Nouveau Evening Bag Silver Mesch Handbag on Silver Chain
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant silver handbag is made out of engraved silver and delicate silver mesch. The bulge of the bag is made out of silver and impressed, cut and engraved with flower, flower ...
Silver
$609Sale Price|30% Off
Rare mini Lipstick QUART DE TOUR, France, Vintage Snake Skin Petrol Lighter
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Very rare and hard to find a Mini Lipstick - QUART DE TOUR - made in France Vintage petrol lighter Black snake skin Gold plated Lipstick shape 42 x 16...
$2,750Sale Price|21% Off
Rare Design WMF Jugendstil Mirror, circa 1905
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, ON
Rare WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Secessionist pewter Mirror, Germany C.1905. All original bevelled glass, back and easel, bracket cornice supports, stylised border with open arts and ...
Fine French Art Deco Enamel and Diamond Figural Bag
Located in Riverdale, NY
Superb French Art Deco Enamel and Diamond Figural Bag from the 1930's. French 18k gold frame with Art Deco vibrant enamels in black, lime green and faux la...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
$1,672
W 1.11 in Dm 1.11 in L 4.53 in
Antique Belle Epoque Hat Pin Facetted Amethyst Pink and Purple Metal Pin
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This splendid Belle Epoque hat pin convinces through its simplicity. The finely cut amethysts display all the powers of the stones with wonderfully cut facettes.
Amethyst, Base Metal