Bugatti and Bugatti, with Strength and Agility

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The creations of Rembrandt Bugatti and Ettore Bugatti get top results at auctions, each in its category. It is unusual for a work to meet the memory of both brothers.

In 1926, ten years after the sculptor's death, the Molsheim manufacturer creates the Bugatti Royale, the most luxurious vehicle in the history of the automobile. Six copies are produced, including the personal car of the boss.

To choose the radiator cap, Ettore finds in the works of his brother a plaster dating from 1904, showing an elephant acrobat. This animal, varying his position from the realistic specimens observed by Rembrandt in the Antwerp Zoo, is shown standing very straight on his hind legs, the trunk upward in the alignment of the body, the front legs to the horizontal. It was an ideal subject to symbolize both the strength and flexibility of the new car.

Ettore had this work edited by lost wax casting in silver, made by Valsuani who had been one off only two bronze editors of Rembrandt.

The copy fitted on Ettore's Royale had been carefully preserved to this day in the Schlumpf collection. This towering cap 19 cm high will be sold in Molsheim on July 5. The Etude Gasser Audhuy, usually operating in Strasbourg and organizer of the sale, does not give an estimate for this lot. This work presents so many unique features that we do not know at which level the bidding will stop.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

La Gazette Drouot chose this piece as their heart felt regional lot this week, and indicates the estimate: 80 K €.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The memory of the two Bugattis was a source of added value, definitely. The result was announced by the newspapers: 238 K €. As often in such cases it is not clear whether this price includes the premium or not. I think it does not include it (to be confirmed on Friday at the publication of La Gazette Drouot).

Of the six copies of this silver elephant, the one just being sold was the only copy to be located. It is not known what happened to the others. With the confirmation of this information, we understand even better the price.

Congratulations to Etude Gasser Audhuy which is one of the most recent French auction houses.