Garouste ?
OR
Bonetti ?
Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
as a duo and as solo artists
From September 4 to December 19, 2026
It started out as a vague, somewhat far-fetched idea,
concocted over a couple of vodka-and-orange drinks in the smoking room of the Palace in the early 1980s.
It started out as a vague, somewhat far-fetched idea, concocted over a couple of vodka-and-orange drinks in the smoking room of the Palace, in the early 1980s.
“In the early 1980s, I was the girlfriend of
David Rochline—whose sister was Elizabeth Garouste,
and whose best friend was Mattia Bonetti.
We used to spend our nights at Le Palace*.
That is how I became a gallerist.”
Agnès Kentish
* the most famous night club in Paris, in the 80’s
“In the early 1980s, I was the girlfriend of David Rochline—whose sister was Elizabeth Garouste, and whose best friend was Mattia Bonetti.
We used to spend our nights at Le Palace*.
That is how I became a gallerist.”
Agnès Kentish
* the most famous night club in Paris, in the 80’s
“Then I teamed up with another night owl, Frédéric de Luca. Naturally, the first designers whose work we produced were Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti.”
Agnès Kentish and Frédéric de Luca
Mattia Bonetti and Elizabeth Garouste
“Is it by chance that our first creation,
the Moon lamp, evokes the night?”
Mattia Bonetti
Mattia Bonetti
1984, The Moon Lamp Garouste and Bonetti, bronze and sandblasted glass
Elizabeth Garouste
Mattia Bonetti
Gradually, a new style emerged before our eyes, using materials that defied the conventions of the time: wrought iron, bronze, gold leaf, rusted and patinated metal—sometimes cut—and sandblasted or rough-hewn wood.
The task of naming the gallery soon revealed its own quiet inevitability; the title of a poem by Constantine Cavafy—at once unexpected and obvious—asserted itself.
We little imagined that it would become the name of a distinct decorative movement: the barbarian style.
En Attendant les Barbares, Anne Bony
Éditions du Regard, 2022
The turning point came with the strategic encounter with Pierre Basse, the renowned ironsmith known for his collaboration with Diego Giacometti.
There was an immediate rapport with this exceptional artisan, who—following the passing of his mentor—had decided to dedicate his talent to a new generation of designers.
Today, Pierre Basse continues to work exclusively for the gallery.
Pierre Basse
The Gold Fool
Wall Lamp,
Elizabeth Garouste, bronze,
2013
The Funny Face Mask,
Mattia Bonetti, bronze,
2025
Then came a few discerning, pioneering collectors (Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Pedro Almodóvar). And finally, the opening of a real gallery—and the feeling that things were getting serious. The 1980s were behind us. So, we learned to have fun in a different way.
What could be more exciting than taking part, step by step, in the birth of a new piece? Or in the expert assessment of a vintage one?
And throughout those years, the same enthusiasm, the same endless discussions, and the undiminished desire to achieve the right line, the perfect balance, a shared vision, and a shared poetry.
And here we are, half a century later, amidst the buzz surrounding the reopening of Le Palace.
From close collaboration to parting ways—working as a duo or solo—Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti have never ceased to surprise us.
And they fully intend to keep doing so…
Garouste and Bonetti
as a duo
Dining table in wrought iron and top in hammered travertine. Patinas on demand.
1990.
Small ebony Cabinet. Ebony, wrought iron by Diego Giacometti‘s ironsmith,
1990.
Elizabeth Garouste
solo
Side table Wrought iron and gold leaf. By the ironsmith of Diego Giacometti. Limited edition of 30 pieces.
2007.
Standing lamp, wrought iron, lampshades. Limited edition of 30 pieces. Produced by the ironsmith of Diego Giacometti.
2007.
Armchair. Patinated wrought-iron. Limited edition of 30 pieces. Produced by the ironsmith of Diego Giacometti.
2013.
Mirror in sculpted wood, gilded with yellow gold leaf. Limited edition of 30 pieces.
2010.
Mirror, wrought-iron & gold leaf. Limited edition of 30 pieces. Produced by the ironsmith of Diego Giacometti.
2003.
Mattia Bonetti
solo
Mirror wrought iron and gold leaf. Limited edition of 30 pieces. Produced by the ironsmith of Diego Giacometti.
2021.
Side table bronze. Available patinas: black, green, gold, brown.
2022.
Wall lamp in golden bronze. Other patinas: green, black, brown, white.
2025.
Side table, wrought iron produced by, ironsmith of Diego Giacometti Bespoke.
2026.
Lamp Bronze lamp. Other patinas on request. Limited edition of 100 pieces.
2022.
