Saint laurent's mirror masterpiece: a $15 million reflection of an era
A dazzling chapter in design history is about to be unveiled. Sotheby’s will offer, on April 22nd, a breathtaking collection of 130 works amassed by Jean and Terry de Gunzburg, a sale estimated to reach between $30 and $43 million. But overshadowing even the Giacomettis and Royères within the collection is a singular, transformative work: a fifteen-piece set of mirrors by Claude Lalanne, once gracing the legendary Paris apartment of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, now valued at a staggering $10–15 million.
The salon de musique: a social epicenter
The mirrors, conceived for the Salon de Musique in Saint Laurent and Bergé’s residence at 55 Rue de Babylone, were initially a modest request for just two pieces. But Lalanne, with Saint Laurent’s enthusiastic support, transformed the entire room into an immersive spectacle of gilt bronze, galvanized copper, aubergine lacquer, and dark woods – a veritable cabinet of curiosities reflecting the couple's impeccable taste. Betty Catroux, a close confidante of Saint Laurent, recalled the room’s pivotal role: “Everyone passed through that room, almost as a ritual… Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, David Hockney, Diana Vreeland—a who’s who of the era.”
Lalanne's botanical alchemy
What sets these mirrors apart is Lalanne’s signature artistry. She didn't simply create frames; she captured the essence of nature. Gathering leaves from her own garden, she employed galvanic baths to preserve their delicate veinings and contours in metal—a process as fascinating as the final product. The commission proved a watershed moment for Lalanne, elevating her from crafting exquisite jewelry and small sculptures to monumental installations. Each mirror is a testament to her meticulous handiwork, dotted with cast leaves arranged in a captivating, tendriled rhythm.
A decade-long pursuit of perfection
The story behind the mirrors is as compelling as their beauty. Commissioned in 1974, the project spanned nearly a decade, a testament to Saint Laurent’s unwavering vision and patience. “When told the project could take a decade, Saint Laurent reportedly shrugged off the timeline,” notes Sotheby's, highlighting the designer’s singular commitment to the artistic process. This commitment has resulted in what is widely considered Lalanne’s magnum opus—a piece that has remained largely unseen publicly for over a decade.
The auction represents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of design history, a tangible link to an era of unparalleled creativity and glamour. The mirrors aren't just decorative objects; they are portals to a world of Art, fashion, and legendary gatherings.