Mae West Lips Sofa
Salvador Dali, Edward James, Green and Abbott of London , 1938
The Mae West Lips sofa was the joint creation of artist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) and his most important British patron, Edward James (1907-1984). Dalí and James collaborated on the design after James suggested that they should create a sofa based on Dalí’s gouache (or drawing) Mae West’s Face which May be Used as a Surrealist Apartment,1934-35. An iconic piece of 20th century furniture and well-renowned Surrealist symbol, this particular version of the sofa was re-designed by James who elongated the lips and added black fringing below the seat. The sofa was created for Monkton House, James' country house in West Sussex, the interiors of which are a fusion of Victorian and Edwardian styles alongside the Surrealist influences that were inspired by James' friendship with Dalí.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Mae West Lips Sofa, 1938
Medium and material
Other, Red felted wool seat and back with green decorative appliques in the form of larvae; green felted wood base upholstery with black wool fringing; horse-hair stuffing; and canvas webbing on a wooden carcass.
Dimensions
79 x 202 x 92
Total cost
480281
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