The most talk-about design single-owner sale of the spring is certainly the personal collection of late collector/dealer Yves Gastou, offered in a series of auctions, taking place between March 13-20 at Sotheby’s Paris. He was known for his educated eye and for his exquisite ability to discover lost gems and new talents.
Bron in 1948 in Limoux, where his father worked as a bailiff and auctioneer. From an early age young Gasout became fascinated by 18th-century antiques, and this is where he eventually found his path. He left school at the age of 16, and in 1970 opened his first boutique in Carcassonne, before moving to Toulouse five years later, and eventually to Paris. At his early days as a dealker, Gastou was passionate about Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces, which had fallen out of fashion and were relatively inexpensive at the time. From Émile Gallé to Pierre Legrain, he loved searching for the treasures. Then he fell in love with Venetian glass and Italian design of the 70s, developing a passion for Sottsass’s colors and humor. In 1985 Gastou inaugurated his gallery with a bold retrospective of Sottsass’ work. He was also the first in France to present the furniture of Ron Arad and Shiro Kuramata.
Gastou never confined himself to a particular period of the 20th century – he was too curious, and saw beauty in objects that others dismissed. He also resurrected forgotten talents. If he came across an original piece of furniture as he browsed, he sought out its designer. That was how he gave a second wind to the career of Ado Chale – whose tables topped with petrified wood or stone mosaics had thrilled buyers in the 1970s. Gastou also initiated the production of Philippe Hiquily’s sculpture-furniture, which had been in demand decades earlier. He exhibited work from every decade, and joyfully jumbled it together.
The forthcoming auctions of his collection tell the story of his life and taste. His Paris apartment on Quai Malaquais was filled with the same mix of 20th-century art and design that he sold in his gallery. A resin Expansion mural by César was displayed alongside Altuglas columns by Jean-Claude Farhi and an acrylic occasional table, Placebo, by Shiro Kuramata. There was colorful glassware by Sottsass and a scarlet Carapaces cabinet by François Cante-Pacos – who created futuristic furniture for the fashion designer Pierre Cardin and was the last of Gastou’s great enthusiasms. The Yves Gastou auction series runs 13–20 March at Sotheby’s Paris, with highlights on view from 15–18 March. All images courtesy Sotheby’s.
Ettore Sottsass, chair Sitting near Enigma, circa 1987.
