Length: 83.4 in.
Depth: 53.5 in.
In the mid 1990’s, Claude Lalanne created her first standard size bed as a special commission for the luxurious winter garden of her friend and long-time patron, Madame X. Previously, Lalanne had only made child-size beds, however, this piece is the very first example of a standard size bed that Claude Lalanne created. Exceptionally crafted, this piece is a reinterpretation of a child’s model that she made, Rêve de Chloé, created in 1987. The first in a collection of four standard size beds, ours is the only bed with a fully decorated headboard and footboard.
The surrealist and whimsical nature of this work make it a quintessential Claude Lalanne piece. Cabbage leaves reference Claude’s charming Choupatte pieces while the Phoenix theme ties this work to ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology, a major source of inspiration for the Lalannes. Rich flora and fauna surrounded the artists in their Ury home, as well as the winter garden of their friend Madame X. This closeness to nature provides the perfect frame for their Art Nouveau interpretation of the fantastic natural world. The fine craftsmanship and delicate hand-made details of the Phoenix aux Chou daybed place it somewhere between an exquisite piece of jewelry and a practical sculpture - a true Claude Lalanne masterpiece.