'Rhinocéros' Five-Panel Screen, from the 'Ultramobile' Series, circa 1971-1976

Details

FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008) AND KAZUHIDE TAKAHAMA (1930-2010)
'Rhinocéros' Five-Panel Screen, from the 'Ultramobile' Series, circa 1971-1976
produced by Gavina for Studio Simon, Bologna, Italy
lacquered and serigraph-printed wood
86 5⁄8 x 17 ¾ x ¾ in. (220 x 45 x 2 cm) (each panel)

Provenance

Hotel San Francisco, Lugo di Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
Private Collection
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Literature

Dino Gavina: Collezioni emblematiche del moderno dal 1950 al 1992, exh. cat., Fondazione Scientifica Querini Stampalia, Venice, 1992, p. 94, no. 106

Conditions of sale

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Victoria Allerton Tudor Vice President, Specialist, Head of Sale

vtudor@christies.com 718 710 2136

Lot Essay

In 1957, Kazuhide Takahama designed the Japanese pavilion for the Milan Triennale – a pivotal moment that led to his encounter with Dino Gavina, founder of Gavina SpA (now part of Knoll). This meeting marked the beginning of a lasting creative partnership. Inspired by Dadaism and modern art, Takahama went on to design numerous pieces for Gavina, blending avant-garde sensibilities with refined craftsmanship.

In 1971, Takahama's artistic journey took another significant turn when he met Franҫois-Xavier Lalanne. Their collaboration produced the present model – a 'Rhinocéros' five-panel screen that elegantly marries traditional Japanese techniques, such as lacquered woodwork, with a bold, stylized modern aesthetic.

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