Oppenheim Furniture

Meret Oppenheim is famous for her work as a Surrealist artist. One of her best-known pieces is Object, an enduringly disconcerting fur-covered teacup, saucer and spoon that Oppenheim created in 1936. The story goes, it was born of a lunchtime chat that Oppenheim had with Pablo Picasso and his then-muse, artist Dora Maar. The Spanish-born artist admired an unusual fur-lined bracelet Oppenheim wore, and she replied that anything could be covered with fur, “even this cup and saucer!” Her imagination fired, and Oppenheim bought some china and a swatch of Chinese gazelle fur. When it was exhibited in New York, Object was purchased by the Museum of Modern Art. It was the first work of art by a woman acquired by the institution. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Meret Oppenheim art and furniture.

Most experts state that Meret Oppenheim was part of Surrealism, not Dada. Oppenheim moved to Paris to attend art school in 1932. There, she met sculptor Alberto Giacometti, who introduced her to Man Ray, Max Ernst and André Breton, considered the founder of the Surrealist movement. Within a year, Oppenheim was exhibiting her paintings with the Surrealists, the first female artist to do so. One of her most famous works is the 1936 Object, the enduringly disconcerting fur-covered teacup, saucer and spoon. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Meret Oppenheim art and furniture.