If you’ve been reading this blog for more than five minutes, then it’s no secret that I have a special place in my heart for animals. And brass. And especially for brass animals. I do own a sparkly little guy named Brian who brings me joy whenever I spy his upturned hooves from across the room, where he patiently defends his territory from the sometimes loving, occasionally psychotic embraces of a toddler who shares mama’s love for four legged creatures.
That’s why when I saw this, I almost lost my marbles.
The home of Lauren Santo Domingo, via A Dreamer’s Den.
Holy Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne! You know how you can just muddle through life — just get by somehow — and on the surface things are good, but there’s always this little piece of you deep down inside that senses something is missing? This is what’s missing from my life. I need a hippo bar.
While I’m self diagnosing my internal weaknesses, I think this is missing, too.
Via Little Augury.
Do you see that magnificent creature, with its furtive bestial head that says, Push me! Pull me! Also, its splendiferous practicality is not to be ignored. It’s a desk. The Lalannes were nothing if not captains of industry.
Practical, yes — but you have to admire their sense of humor. If dear old Francois were alive today, I’m sure he would have enjoyed Portlandia’s cheeky advice to just put a bird on it. Birds make everything better.
I firmly believe the Lalannes were also responsible for the mouton movement, and here les moutons are lovingly ensconced next to a watering hole. So thoughtful of the designers. Stuffed animals have needs, too.
But in all fairness, my heart belongs to the bronze pieces, because I never met a bit of bling I didn’t want to take home to meet daddy. Put a Lalanne alligator chair beneath a Francis Bacon painting and you have one of my favorite pairings of all time. This picture is so good that it just blew my mind up, and if I have one axon and dendrite left to fire up the old synapses and finish this round up, then I’ll be amazed…
Architectural Digest
Thank you, Claude and Francois Xavier Lalanne — you are entirely responsible for blowing almost all of my neural circuitry, but it was worth it.
Good luck working after all that mind blowing awesomeness.
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oh man that top one is my fave! Brass, animal, and functional? That takes the cake. I don’t however, get the whole brouhaha about those sheep. They kind of piss me off.
You know I share your passion for the menagerie. So much so, that the Mister has officially forbade me to bring anymore animals home. Not of the living, breathing variety. No, of the decorative kind. I have that bull entry table that I love with all my heart and soul and the giant hanging marlin. Now, I NEED that desk to make my collection whole.
Yesssss. I buy too many brass animals too. They’re just so cute and irresistable!
To you, hippo: I am obsessed.
How’s this for a functional animal? I found this by accident, and now can’t stop thinking about it. I just wish it were about $165 cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360339270631&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
(I am new to DC’s charms…you ladies rock).
Hello and welcome, Rosie!
I am now in love with your llama… good thing there are 3 of them available (ok, and I’m totes with you on the price).
There’s something about it, right? But the price is silly…especially since I’m about to move (from NJ to your neck of the woods, actually) and I literally can’t stop stockpiling jaunty but utterly impractical Ebay/Homegoods finds earmarked for “the next house.” It’s a disaster!
I must say, finding DC has already been a source of crucial info: Riiiiing! Hello…Sanders?
Adore, adore, adore. I have a ton of small animals in brass and other materials. I want to graduate to a desk or a bar! Great post.
Love gilded animalia and dream of a mouton.
Also, can completely relate to that strange, distinct though underlying inkling that something is missing.
So glad you’ve figured out that brass figurines both large and small fill that void for you
Alcira
nerochronicles.com
You really are good.
Eye candy and *another* educational post for this novice.
(And thanks for the link to The Den!)
all of this in my mind just means one word: expensive!!. i don’t think i can afford them even i love them all so much
Anita, novice? Really?! Someone is too modest for their britches
Animal photos, hi and welcome. YES. These guys are expensive. Deep pockets only!
Hippo desk, come to mama.
You are so funny. I just looked up these artist for the first time. My goodness how did i miss them!!! I make art with a lot of animals so this work is sturring my sole. Thanks for your enthusiasm. Kk