FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE | Canard aux nénuphars, designed in 1972

nickel silver, copper and biscuit ; comprising a duck and six candlesticks ; all pieces with the Manufacture de Sèvres mark, apart for one candlestick and all pieces monogrammed FXL on the underside of the base, the duck signed with the initials PL, dated 1973 on the biscuit and numbered A 1 on the underside of the base

Commissioned by Yves Saint-Laurent to François-Xavier Lalanne
Collection Yves Saint Laurent – Pierre Bergé, rue de Babylone, Paris

Sèvres, exhibition catalogue, Palais des Congrès, Parc Chanot, Marseille, March 29 - April 9, 1974, the model mentionned p. 35, n. 33
Jean Matthieu, La Porcelaine de Sèvres, Paris, 1982, p. 46
Sèvres : de 1850 à nos jours, exhibition catalogue, Le Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris, February 4 - April 10, 1983, p. 54, n. 112
Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, Créations contemporaines et rééditions récentes, Catalogue of the Manufacture, 1985, p. 1
Jean-Paul Midant, Sèvres, La Manufacture au XXème siècle, Paris, 1992, pp. 236-237
Sèvres, Tradition et Innovation, Tiré-à-part of La Revue de la Céramique et du Verre n. 108, September-October 1999, p. XIII and XVIII for the Canard aux Nénuphars only
Daniel Abadie, Lalanne(s), Paris, 2008, p. 27
Les Lalanne, exhibition catalogue, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, March 17 - July 4, 2010, pp. 44 and 50-52 for the Canard aux nénuphars only

Good overall condition. The candlesticks are of two different models : four candlesticks present with one flower - two candlesticks present with one flower and one bud. The metal surfaces of the candlesticks present with scattered surface scratches, slightly more significant on the bases. The patinas present with some light wear overall, including small areas of wear on the leaves. There are some wax remnants, mostly located within the biscuit petals and a few ones scattered on the metal.The biscuit leaves are in very good overall condition with light surface soiling throughout. One bud presents with a dark stain at the tip. One candlestick presents with fewer petals and the biscuit has a different aspect - this candlestick does not bear the Manufacture de Sèvres mark, simply the Francois-Xavier Lalanne monogram and we believe this candlesticks is a later addition to the set (most likely supplied by Francois-Xavier Lalanne himself). The metal surface of the surtout presents with scattered surface scratches and the patina with light wear overall including a few areas of wear on the leaves. The biscuit of the surtout (petals and duck) is in very good overall condition with some light surface soiling, surface dust and some wax remnants scattered.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."