GAROUSTE & BONETTI

GAROUSTE & BONETTI

Elizabeth GAROUSTE (Born 1949) & Mattia BONETTI (Born 1953)

Extremely Rare Oak Cabinet with Gilt Wrought Iron, France, 1990

An exceptionally rare and elegant cabinet designed by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, two of the most distinctive figures in French decorative arts and design of the late twentieth century.

Created in France circa 1990 and edited by the celebrated Parisian gallery “En Attendant les Barbares,” the cabinet is crafted in oak and features two doors framing a remarkable gilt wrought-iron grid. The contrast between the warmth and natural character of the oak and the sculptural quality of the gilded metal perfectly illustrates the imaginative vocabulary developed by Garouste and Bonetti during their celebrated collaboration.

The cabinet rests upon bases of hammered and gilt wrought iron, giving the piece a simultaneously architectural and highly refined presence. The ironwork was executed by Pierre Basse, an accomplished ferronnier who had previously worked with Diego Giacometti, adding an important connection to the tradition of exceptional French artisanal metalwork.

The cabinet is stamped “BG” on one leg.

Garouste and Bonetti began working together in the early 1980s and rapidly established an unmistakable aesthetic that rejected the strict rationalism of modernist design in favor of imagination, craftsmanship, historical references, and unexpected combinations of materials. Their furniture frequently blurred the boundaries between functional design, sculpture, and decorative art.

Their creations for En Attendant les Barbares are among the most emblematic works of this important period in French design and have become increasingly sought after by international collectors.

As Garouste and Bonetti no longer work together, pieces produced during their collaborative period represent a finite and particularly desirable body of work. With its exceptional craftsmanship, sculptural gilt-iron details and imposing architectural presence, this cabinet is an outstanding example of their highly recognizable and influential aesthetic.

Other Garouste & Bonetti works in our collection

Price : Upon Request

Materials / Techniques: Oak and Gilt wrought iron