Bonhams to Offer Rare Émile Gallé 'Rose de France' Vase and Giacometti Buttons in December Sale
Bonhams will auction a rare Émile Gallé 'Rose de France' vase, dating from circa 1903, as a highlight of its Modern Decorative Art & Design sale on December 16 at Bonhams Knightsbridge in London. The vase, estimated at £120,000–180,000, leads a selection of works from a distinguished Japanese private collection. The sale also features two rare Alberto Giacometti 'Femme aux Bras Levés' buttons made for Elsa Schiaparelli circa 1938, each estimated at £5,000–8,000. The same button design was used on a coat made for Marlene Dietrich, now in the German Cinema Museum in Berlin. Additional highlights include a Tiffany Studios 'Geometric' leaded glass and turtleback chandelier (estimate £25,000–35,000), a Charlotte Perriand coffee table (estimate £40,000–60,000), and a Lucie Rie footed bowl (estimate £30,000–40,000).
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The Gallé vase, commissioned by the Horticultural Society of Nancy in 1900, is a rare example of the artist's 'Sculpture de Verre' technique and is considered among his finest works. The Giacometti buttons, purchased by the current owner as part of a mixed lot for £40, are exceptionally scarce, with only two other known examples in museum collections. The sale underscores the enduring market for early 20th-century decorative arts, particularly pieces with strong provenance and art-historical connections. Collectors may view the Giacometti buttons as a rare opportunity to acquire a direct link between the worlds of Surrealist sculpture and avant-garde fashion.
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- Artists: Émile Gallé, Alberto Giacometti, Elsa Schiaparelli, Marlene Dietrich, Lucie Rie, Charlotte Perriand
- People: Otto Billstrom, Jean-Michel Frank, Leonor Fini, Man Ray, Minna Rosenblatt
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Museums: Musée de l'École de Nancy, German Cinema Museum, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Le Comité Giacometti
- Locations: London
- Prices: £120,000 - 180,000, £5,000 - 8,000, £25,000 - 35,000, £40,000 - 60,000, £30,000 - 40,000, £40, €406,800
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