PHILIPPE HIQUILY | Adjustable Dining Table

Acquired directly from the artist by Monsieur Bideau, Paris
Private Collection, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Philippe Hiquily, Catalogue Raisonné 1948-2011, vol. 2, Paris, 2012, p. 47, cat. no. 716

Overall in very good condition. This functional and highly innovative dining table includes 16 feet and 16 triangular tabletops, in addition to brackets and screws, that can be freely reconfigured and rearranged to the client's liking. The piece presents with some scattered surface scratches and scuffing throughout, consistent with age and gentle use. The corner of one table top presents with some superficial surface tarnish that is not visually distracting. The seams with some occasional light areas of oxidation concentrated to the underside of the table, not visible unless closely inspected.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A sculptor by nature, Hiquily was seemingly not predestined to become famous for his furniture design. Ironically, however, his status as one of the great sculptors of the 20th Century is due in large part to the acclaim he has received for his furniture, as supported by the recent acquisition of a 1976 table by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the numerous record-breaking results for his work at auction.

This important stainless steel table is the second and last example of the design table that was originally created in 1968 for François-Poncet’s American wife. This second table was commissioned by Jean-François Bideau, a dealer who organized an exhibition of Hiquily’s works, Pièges à Louve, in 1976 and commissioned and collected many works by the artist. Hiquily conceived two different configurations: depending on their organization, the sixteen elements can form either a large dining table, an octagonal table, or two wall-tables each composed by half of a table.

The foot of the design table, with its pure, fluid lines, is typical of Hiquily’s work. It is representative of the sculptor’s distinct approach to furniture, relying on industrial processes, new technologies, and innovative materials to produce everyday objects that would combine aesthetic and functionality.

TARA HIQUILY
President of the Comité Hiquily