François-Xavier Lalanne's 1976 'Hippopotame Bar,' a whimsical copper, steel, and wood cabinet shaped like a hippopotamus with hidden compartments, sold for $31.4 million at a Sotheby's auction on December 10, 2025. Originally commissioned by the late oil heiress and philanthropist Anne Schlumberger, the piece sparked a 26-minute bidding war that far exceeded its $7–10 million estimate, making it the most valuable design object ever sold at auction and shattering Lalanne's previous auction record.
The sale underscores the soaring market for unique, functional sculpture by artists like Lalanne, whose work blurs the line between art and design. The record price reflects both the rarity of the piece—the only copper version from his hippo bar series—and the enduring appeal of the Schlumberger collection, which also featured works by Claude Lalanne. This milestone highlights the growing financial and cultural value placed on design objects within the broader art market.