In 1981, Architectural Digest ran a cover story illustrating interior designer Paul Leonard’s Connecticut home. On the cover, nestled in the corner of the living room, sits the Alberto Giacometti bronze lamp atop a wooden table. In Leonard’s master bedroom rests Diego Giacametti’s Pedestal Table with Harpies, a curious addition to his rustic home. For over 40 years, Paul Leonard was the exclusive personal interior decorator for famous philanthropists Rachel and Paul Mellon. In addition to decorating the Mellons’ various houses located in Manhattan, Massachusetts, and Antigua, Leonard custom decorated special events for the Mellons, including a luncheon for the Prince and Princess of Wales. As Leonard’s reputation spread, he was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy to create Christmas trees for the White House as well as decorate the Onassis house on the island of Skorpios[1]. Leonard acquired the following Giacometti pieces during his 40 years with the Mellons. This table and other designs by Diego were only available for purchase through special order or arrangement while Diego was alive.
Lot Information:
Lot 407
Diego Giacometti
Pedestal table with Harpies
Studio, first designed in 1955 for Cecil Beaton.
This example cast before 1981
Bronze
17”h x 20”diameter
October 17, 2010 Auction
$70,000-90,000
Lot 410
Alberto Giacometti
Trepied a L’etoile
Studio, designed 1937 for Jean-Michel Frank; this example cast before 1981
Bronze
24”h to top of finial
This example is illustrated on the cover of the August 1981 Architectural Digest featuring the Roxbury, CT home of Paul Leonard.
October 17, 2010 Auction
$8,000-10,000
For more information on how to bid, please visit the LAMA online catalogue.
– Paul DesMarais, Contributing Writer
[1] Owens, Mitchell. “Paul Leonard Dies at 70; Decorated Famed Interiors.” Newyorktimes.com. New York Times, 3 Nov. 2002. Web. 3 Sept. 2010.
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