A means to an end

The telephone is one of a host of whimsical objects designed by Dalí for his good friend Edward James who, in the mid-1930s, employed the artist to rid him of his financial worries. Now Christie’s in London will offer a number of those objects, in a sale comprising over 200 works from the Edward James Foundation. Dalí was fascinated with both lobsters and telephones, both of which served as inspiration for many of his works. He even once said, “I do not understand why, when I ask for a grilled lobster in a restaurant, I am never served a cooked telephone.” One of several examples built – though the first to be publicly offered in a long time – it’s expected to realise up to £250,000 when it goes under the hammer on December 12. Also included in the sale is a Mae West-style lips sofa, which was allegedly designed not to be sat on. It’s estimated to fetch up to £400,000. 

Photos: Christie's