The Prouvé Prototype Maison Tropicale Sold for $4,968,000 at Christie's

Friday, 08 June 2007 01:55

NEW YORK CITY - Christie’s New York Spring 2007 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Week concluded and totaled $17,610,320. Three auctions were held across two days: the Various-Owner sale on Tuesday, The Pinhas Collection Part II on Wednesday – and Works from the Collection of Eric Touchaleaume on Tuesday evening. The Evening sale included the undoubted highlight of the New York Spring 20th Century Decorative Art & Design auction week, the Prototype Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouvé - a visionary pre-fabricated construction which sold for $4,968,000, setting a new world auction record for the legendary designer.

Philippe Garner, International Head of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, and Josh Holdeman, Director of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, Christie’s Americas, say, “This series of sales has confirmed our pre-eminent position across the full spectrum of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design. From French Art Nouveau and contemporary prototypes, to mid-century Modernism and the spectacular sculpture of Rembrandt Bugatti, these sales achieved remarkable results for an equally remarkable range of works”.

The Prouvé Prototype Maison Tropicale was bought by hotelier André Balazs, who owns Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, among other properties including The Mercer in New York and The Raleigh in Miami. One of only three ever produced by the legendary French designer, this Prototype Tropical House was designed and manufactured for Brazzaville, West Africa, and is one the most striking and sophisticated of all his architectural achievements and is exemplary of his oeuvre.

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