Lot 963 , Diego Giacometti (1902-1985) Console, La Promenade des Amis, W. 40in. H. 35in. D.13.25in.

Diego Giacometti (1902-1985)
bronze,
Console, La Promenade des Amis, a unique version commissioned by Comtesse Simone Sanjust di Teulada,
stamped on the frame Diego and DG,
W. 40in. H. 35in. D.13.25in.
Estimate £200,000-300,000

Diego Giacometti, sculptor and designer, was born in the Swiss village of Borgonovo. He used bronze to sculpt and worked both in collaboration with and as assistant to his older brother Alberto. After Alberto's death in 1966 Diego concentrated on his own works and created his most significant designs including the console, La Promenade des Amis. The back stretcher of the table features three 'lollipop' trees, a horse and three dogs, one of which is 'watering' a tree trunk. In an interview with Patricia de Beauvais, the artist explained the origin of the Promenade des Amis: 'C'était pour une cliente qui faisait des ventes pour la protection des animaux. Alors j'ai pensé à ça, La Promendae des amis: un cheval avec trois petits chiens dont un, en train d'arroser l'arbre et un autre qui le flaire. Il y a eu une cliente qui me l'a fait enlever. Ça la génait mais les chiens, ils sont tous les mêmes, je lui ai répondu'.
This particular table is a unique model combining the framework of the console 'Hommage a Boecklin' with the a tree and animals from 'La Promenade des Amis'.
This table was commissioned directly from the artist by Comtesse Simone Sanjust di Teulada, a grande dame of French society. The Comtesse owned a significant stud in Normandy as well as a villa on the Cote d'Azur. Every summer the Comtesse would organize a fundraising ball for animal charities and every year she would commission an artwork as the raffle prize, always from one the the greats; Picasso, Dali, Giacometti. The Giacometti family recall the circumstances of the commission. The Comtesse wanted the combination of a smaller framework with the decorative elements from Promenade des Amis. She was not happy wioth the finished piece, in her words 'it was not pretty'. The placement of the figures had to be reworked and the ferronier was summoned. The ferronier usually worked in his studio, on this occasion he had to work in a courtyard, in the rain to satisfy the demands of the Comtesse. The ball took place and the table was won by a friend of the Comtesse, an English Lady. She brought the table back to England and it then descended to the current owners, standing quietly in a Sussex farmhouse for over thirty years before its rediscovery by Gorringe's last year.
Denis Vincenot, the internationally acknowledged expert on Giacometti has confirmed the authenticity of this piece. The Giacometti family have confirmed the circumstances of the commission and the ferronier who reworked the figures is still alive and recalls working on it, in the courtyard, in the rain.
There are no records of how many examples were made of La Promenade des Amis, several have been offered for sale at auction over the past twenty years and prices fluctuate. This is partially due to the various forgeries of Diego's work that appeared after his death in 1985. Provenance is everything. This sale presents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully authenticated and unique work by Diego Giacometti.
Literature: Michel Butor, Diego Giacometti, Paris, 1985, illustration of another cast p.127.
Daniel Marchesseau, Diego Giacometti, Catalogue de l'oeuvre, Paris, 1986, illustrations of another cast pp.93 & 177.
Francoise Francisci, Diego Giacometti, Catalogue de L'oeuvre, Paris, 1986, vol.I, illustration of another cast p.15.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £170,000