Important Giacometti table with record estimate highlights The Design Sale

Diego Giacometti (1902–1985), the younger brother of the legendary Alberto Giacometti, moved to Paris in 1927 after studying in Basel and St. Gallen. There, the brothers shared a studio and collaborated on commissions for prominent collectors such as the Maeght and Noailles families. After Alberto’s passing in 1966, Diego developed an independent artistic language, in which his characteristic animal motifs became integral elements in both sculpture and furniture.

The table now presented by Stockholms Auktionsverk belongs to the iconic “cradle table” models, of which a first version was created around 1963 for film producer Raoul Lévy. 

“Berceau”, table, modèle aux chats dates from the early 1970s and is distinguished by gently curved, cradle-like sides supporting an open and airy tabletop structure, crowned by stylized cat figures. The cats are not merely decorative—they form a natural part of the table’s rhythm and balance, just as in Giacometti’s broader body of work.

The table has a well-documented provenance and has been part of a private Swedish collection since the 1980s. Ahead of the auction, it has been examined by leading experts in Paris, who have confirmed its authenticity.

“It is a privilege to present this exceptional table to both Swedish and international audiences at Stockholms Auktionsverk. Here, Diego Giacometti succeeds in uniting sculpture and furniture design in a way few others have achieved. The table is both functional and poetic, with an artistic presence that defines the room—while remaining perfectly suited for everyday use,” says Ulrika Ruding, Head of the Design Department at Stockholms Auktionsverk.

The Design Sale preview opens on April 17 at Nybrogatan 32 in Stockholm, and the live auction will take place on April 28.