Overview
- The piece opened at a $7 million–$10 million estimate and, after a 26-minute contest among seven bidders, finished at $31.4 million with fees.
- The price reset Lalanne’s auction high and established the most expensive design object ever sold at auction.
- Fabricated in 1976 as a one-off in copper for Anne Schlumberger, the work is regarded as the prototype for later bronze versions.
- The hippo functions as a bar, with concealed compartments housing a revolving bottle rack, glass storage, an ice bucket, and a serving tray.
- The result capped Sotheby’s inaugural Breuer design program and followed other strong Lalanne sales this year, including Grand Rhinocrétaire II at $16.4 million and Bar aux Autruches at €11.1 million.