Hennessy XO 150th Anniversary Frank Gehry Masterpiece Decanter 24CT Gold

Snap up the only Hennessy XO 150^th Anniversary Decanter with Frank Gehry designed with a 24-carat gold platter in Australia. Perfect for collectors.

Along with the Decanter and mould, this lot includes a Glass Glorifier, a Fusil made from brass with gold finishing with a brass Fusil Holder and Frank Gehry’s distinctive Compressed Cardboard Presentation Case made from cardboard and wood, which is all packed in a Wooden Transportation Case.

This Decanter is only one of 150 ever produced and is the only one or two in Australia.

In 2020, Hennessy celebrated the 150^th Anniversary of Hennessy X.O., the brand’s most recognized expression, which came to life in 1870 at the request of Maurice Hennessy. The inaugural X.O. was created by master blender Emile Filioux, who endeavoured to blend an intense eaux de vie from the cellar’s mature casks. The resulting Cognac was known as Hennessy “Extra Old”

The iconic Hennessy Carafe was designed by Gerald de Geoffre, Maurice Hennesy’s grandson, and is identified by its curvature. For this special 150th-anniversary celebration, Hennessy has teamed up with architect extraordinaire Frank Gehry to elevate the aesthetics of the decanter that defines the XO epoch. Gehry’s gold and glass glorifier mix contrasting themes of movement and destructivism to clothe this bottle in a second skin.

Frank Gehry’s original moulds used to create the intricate outer casing have been made available as part of this exclusive lot at Sotheby’s. The mould was used to shape the 24-carat gold over bronze and the glass was set into the crumpled metal to evoke the River Charente and illuminate the deep colour of the Cognac within. To house the Masterpiece Decanter, Gehry has called on the cardboard design skills showcased in his Easy Edges furniture line to create a protective case.

For 150 years, Hennessy X.O. has been upheld as an exemplary Cognac brand, renowned for its quality and creativity. Not only has it struck a chord with brandy and fine spirits drinkers, but it is considered emblematic of style and success in Hip Hop culture. Hennessy features prominently in West Coast Hip Hop, with legendary rappers such as Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg naming tracks after this spirit. In 2019 Hennessy curated the installation series Hennessy: For The Culture at London’s Somerset House to celebrate the history of black British music and how a cognac brand became synonymous with UK Hip Hop and Grime.