François-Xavier Lalanne (French, 1927-2008), A Pair of Marble and Painted Wrought Iron Bird Chairs (Small Model), 1980. Marble and painted wrought iron.Each 33 x 21-3/4 x 38 inches (83.8 x 55.2 x 96.5 cm). Stamped on a seal underneath each seat: FXL / 80. Private collection, West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo Heritage Auctions

DALLAS, TX.- The design of François-Xavier Lalanne took top lot honors in Heritage Auctions' $1.2 million 20th & 21st Century Design Auction as Pair of Marble and Painted Wrought Iron Bird Armchairs (large model) and Pair of Marble and Painted Wrought Iron Bird Chairs (small model), brought a combined $478,000. The near sold out April 23 event offered a selection of high design and the largest collection of Amsterdam's famed Droog design editions ever offered at public auction. 

"New buyers ensured the auction was a near complete sell out," said Brandon Kennedy, Consignment Director of 20th & 21st Century Design at Heritage. "Collectors all over the world recognized this opportunity but the fact values were strong across every category shows the strength of the mid-century market." 

François-Xavier Lalanne (French, 1927-2008), A Pair of Marble and Painted Wrought Iron Bird Armchairs (Large Model), 1980. Marble and painted wrought iron. Each 47 x 35 x 36-1/2 inches (119.4 x 88.9 x 8,982.7 cm). Stamped on a seal underneath each seat: FXL / 80. Private collection, West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo Heritage Auctions

In addition to Lalanne's Iron Bird Chairs, his Rhinocéros mécanique, 1980, sold for $203,000 and his 1974 creation titled Marble Bird Coffee Table, 1974, hammered for $30,000. 

François-Xavier Lalanne, French, 1927-2008), Rhinocéros mécanique, 1980. Patinated copper; 9-1/2 x 21-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches (24.1 x 55.2 x 16.5 cm).Ed. 2/2. Stamped inside hinged head panel: 2/2 FXL 80. Sold for $30,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

Copper has a rich patina though somewhat uneven, common with similar works by Lalanne. All over the surface, there are marks of the working process, indicative of the artist's technique. A few welds and rubbed areas on the feet and head appear brighter than the remainder of the work, but don't appear as repairs or anomalies, just worked areas by the artist. Additionally, there are a few minute areas of light dustsoiling, very minor oxidation at seams/hinges, and small accretions on the hump near the ears. The hinged head door rests slightly ajar. All hinges, seams, welds, hardware and interior plates are in good working order as is the overall condition of the copper and sculpture itself.

Three works from the Estate of Ray Frost Fleming, a Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate, notable studio artist, and owner of the Robert Kidd Gallery in Birmingham, Mich., lead the auction's selection of sculpture. Two works made by Harry Bertoia in the early 1970s saw intense action from bidders as Spray, reached $75,000, and Sonambient sculpture, sold for $50,000. Untitled (Tower), a bronze sculpture made by Julius Schmidt in 1985, sold for $17,500. 

Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978), Spray, circa 1970. Stainless steel base, collar, and rods with brass beads; 61-1/2 high with a base measuring 16 x 16 inches (156.2 x 40.6 x 40.6 cm) and an overall diameter of 68 inches. Property from the Estate of Ray F. Fleming, Birmingham, MI. Sold for $75,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978), Sonambient sculpture, circa 1970. Beryllium copper and brass; 32 high with a base measuring 8 x 8 inches (81.3 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm). Property from the Estate of Ray F. Fleming, Birmingham, MI. Sold for $50,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

Condition: Some light surface scratches and wear commensurate with age. A few instances of light spotting and oxidation to base. There are three rods which are somewhat misaligned. All rods have secure welds at the base and appear uniform. Overall, sculpture has a nice patina and appears sound structurally. Good condition

Julius Schmidt (American, b. 1923), Untitled (Tower), 1985. Bronze; 122-3/4 x 22-3/4 x 22-3/4 inches (311.8 x 57.8 x 57.8 cm) - total of three components. Cast signature and date on top and side: Schmidt 1985. Property from the Estate of Ray F. Fleming, Birmingham, MI. Sold for $17,500. Photo Heritage Auctions

Property from the collection of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas featured the largest single selection of the Netherland's Droog design editions ever offered at auction. Leading the collection was Frame Desk and Chair, 2009, a unique prototype by Studio Makkink & Bey, which sold for $35,000. Tejo Remy's well known Chest of Drawers, 1991, saw $25,000 after interest from eight bidders. Rarities from the Droog line also featured Jurgen Bey's Tree-trunk bench, 1999, which sold for $11,875 and Red blue LEGO chair, 2007, one of just eight produced by Mario Minale, which sold for $10,625.