PRESS RELEASE
IMPORTANT 20TH-CENTURY FRENCH AND ITALIAN DESIGN TO LEAD PHILLIPS’ LONDON AUCTION
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Ettore Sottsass, Jr. Unique 'Toeletta Nanda', from the Ettore Sottsass, Jr. and Fernanda Pivano residence, Milan, 1958 Estimate: £80,000–120,000 |
François-Xavier Lalanne 'Mouton de Pierre', designed 1979, executed 1989 Estimate: £180,000–250,000 |
LONDON – 20 APRIL 2026 – Phillips is proud to unveil highlights from its Design auction in London on 30 April. Anchored by François-Xavier Lalanne’s iconic ‘Mouton de Pierre’ sheep and a distinguished group of French mid-century design, the sale brings together visionary objects that trace the evolution of design from post-war reconstruction to radical experimentation. From Ettore Sottsass, Jr.’s deeply personal and unique ‘Toeletta Nanda’ to exceptional works by Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand, alongside pioneering collaborations between Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti and between Osvaldo Borsani and Lucio Fontana, the auction foregrounds design as both a reflection of its time and a catalyst for new ways of living. The catalogue is available online, with a public exhibition opening at Phillips’ Berkeley Square galleries on 24 April.
Domenico Raimondo, Phillips’ Head of Department, Design, Europe and Senior International Specialist, said, “From Sottsass’ intimate and radical ‘Toeletta Nanda’ to the raw immediacy of Ron Arad’s early works, this sale charts a remarkable trajectory of design innovation across the 20th century and beyond. These works capture moments of profound experimentation, where new materials, techniques and ways of thinking redefined the possibilities of design. I am particularly thrilled by the strength of the Italian group, whose bold formal language and technical ingenuity continue to resonate with collectors today. We look forward to welcoming visitors to experience these works first hand from 24 April.”
ICONS OF 20TH-CENTURY ITALIAN DESIGN
At the heart of the Italian selection is Ettore Sottsass, Jr.’s unique ‘Toeletta Nanda’, conceived in 1958 for the Milan apartment he shared with his first wife and muse, writer Fernanda Pivano. Executed by cabinetmaker Renzo Brugola, the piece was designed specifically for the couple’s home and demonstrates an early articulation of Sottsass’ spatial thinking and bold use of colour. Its vitrines, housing symbolic figures associated with devotion and mythology, introduce a narrative dimension rarely seen in functional furniture. As one of the few bespoke pieces created for the apartment, ‘Toeletta Nanda’ stands as joyful work, offering a glimpse into Sottsass’ private world at a formative moment in his career.