Infinite are man’s expressions of beauty and love; open your eyes your ears and your heart to them and you will unite the peoples of the world.
Alexander Girard
Alexander Girard 1907–1993
Born in 1907 in New York to an American mother and French-Italian father, Alexander Girard and his family soon moved to Italy where he was raised in a Florentine villa surrounded by art and antiques. As a boy he filled notebooks with creative design sketches displaying an early attention to detail and interest in other cultures even imaging his own country with regional flags and unique symbolism. Inspiration from international folk art became a staple of his artistic legacy as he amassed thousands of artifacts from around the world. Girard studied architecture in Rome, London and New York as his influential and celebrated career began.
Girard designed and directed the groundbreaking show For Modern Living at the Detroit Institute of Fine Arts in 1949, a predecessor to the Good Design shows hosted by the Museum of Modern Art in New York which he eventually participated in and juried. While living in Michigan in 1952, he was hired by friend and collaborator Charles Eames at Herman Miller eventually establishing the company’s textile division as Director of Design until 1973. In addition to his collections of fabric and wallpaper, his “Environment Enrichment Panels” promoted humanization of the corporate workplace and in 1967 he released the “Girard Group” collection of furniture.
Auction Results Alexander Girard
Alexander Girard
custom mural from the Irwin Union Bank & Trust Company, Columbus, IN
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $27,500
Alexander Girard
settee for Braniff Airlines
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $22,500
Alexander Girard
custom mural from the Irwin Union Bank & Trust Company, Columbus, IN
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $22,500
Alexander Girard
Important collection of fabric samples
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $18,750
Alexander Girard
Prototype table
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $15,000
Alexander Girard
Prototype cabinet
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $12,500
Alexander Girard
Sofa Table
estimate: $12,000–15,000
result: $12,000
Alexander Girard
ottoman, model 66332
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $11,875
Alexander Girard
sofa, model 66303
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $11,400
Alexander Girard
Rare ottoman, model 66331
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $10,625
Alexander Girard
lounge chairs model 66310, pair
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $10,625
Alexander Girard
armchair, model 66307
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $10,625
Alexander Girard
lounge chairs model 66311, pair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $10,000
Alexander Girard
mirror for Textiles & Objects
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $9,600
Alexander Girard
custom wall clock for Dragon Peak
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $9,375
Alexander Girard
sofa, model 66303
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $9,375