200 pieces from the collection of The Edward James Foundation, named after the famed patron of Surrealist artists including Dali and Magritte, will go on sale as part of Christie’s Classic Week on December 15 at the auction house’s London King Street branch.“With estimates ranging from £600-£400,000 [$740-$490,000], the sale provides opportunities for collectors at every level,” notes Christie’s in a press release. Marking the top end of that range is the sale’s star item, “A sofa in the form of Mae West’s lips,” 1938, which has an estimate of $310,000-$490,000. One of Dali’s iconic pieces, which was actually made in collaboration with Edward James (who commissioned this first version), it features a fringed base where later models would have plain ones. Further homewares made by the two together are also on sale, including an all-white version of Dali’s “Lobster Telephone,” 1938 — named “White Aphrodisiac” — going on the block for between $185,000-$310,000.The sale, however, will go beyond Surrealism to feature a number of works by other artists supported by James, including Russian Neo-Romanticist Pavel Tchelitchew. His “The Concert,” 1933 is an odd painting of four mystical ruff-wearing musicians that has an estimate of $310,000-$430,000.Discussing the sale, Christie’s UK chairman Orlando Rock stated: “Edward James was touched by genius — and the inspirational Surrealist fantasies that he created at Monkton and elsewhere are testimony to his visionary patronage. This eclectic auction embraces the contrasting and pioneering tastes of several generations of this Anglo-American family, and will raise funds to safeguard the future of the educational Foundation at West Dean, through which Edward James sought to secure future generations of artistic creativity.”“A Surreal Legacy: Works from The Edward James Foundation at Christie’s London” will take place on December 15 at Christie’s King Street, following a display that will run from December 10-15.
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