Art Funded by you

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

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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