Man Ray — Cadeau , 1974. Authorized edition · Complete original set

This is an original, authorized 1974 edition of Cadeau by Man Ray.

Originally conceived in Paris in December 1921, Cadeau began as a single, improvised object. Man Ray created it as a gift for the gallerists of his first exhibition and presented it the same day at the Librairie Six. During the opening, a walk through Montparnasse with Erik Satie led to the idea for what would become his first Parisian sculpture. The components were bought on the spot and assembled immediately.

The original object — an iron with fourteen nails fixed to its sole — disappeared during the exhibition and has never been recovered.

More than fifty years later, Man Ray authorized a limited multiple edition faithful to the original 1921 design. The title, signature, and edition number are printed on the handle and documented through the original hand-monogrammed check card and certificate of authenticity.

This edition was limited to 5,000 copies worldwide. The piece offered here is preserved as a complete set, housed in its original rigid foam case and accompanied by the original outer cardboard packaging from 1974 — a level of completeness rarely seen today.

Cadeau is held in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate in London, and the Louvre in Paris. Its presence in these collections speaks quietly, without the need for emphasis.

This is not an object designed to be explained. It exists on its own terms. A key work by Man Ray, presented here in its authorized form, intact, documented, and uncompromised.

Object details

• Artist: Man Ray

• Title: Cadeau

• Year of authorized edition: 1974

• Original conception: 1921, Paris

• Medium: Metal iron with nails

• Edition: Limited to 5,000 copies worldwide

• Markings: Title, signature, and edition number printed on the handle

• Documentation:

  • Hand-monogrammed check card

  • Original certificate of authenticity

• Packaging:

  • Original rigid foam case

  • Original outer cardboard box (1974)

• Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Complete set, preserved with care.

• Provenance: Authorized edition by the artist

• Institutional references: MoMA (New York), Tate (London), Louvre (Paris)