Picasso Ceramics Sale Now Live At Christie’s

From left to right: Tête de chèvre de profil (A.R. 152 – conceived in 1953 and executed in an edition of 100; estimate: £8,000-12,000), Visage au nez noir (A.R. 609 – conceived on 9 January 1969 and executed in a numbered edition of 200; estimate: £30,000-50,000), Pichet espagnole (A.R. 244 – conceived in 1954 and executed in a numbered edition of 300; estimate: £7,000-10,000). In the image below: Footballeur (A.R. 538- conceived in 1965 and executed in a numbered edition of 50; estimate: £15,000-25,000).

LONDON - Christie’s is pleased to present Picasso Ceramics, an online-only sale running from 8 to 22 May 2025. This exceptional auction celebrates Pablo Picasso’s vibrant post-war creativity, expressed through his playful, richly coloured ceramics. These works capture the artist’s renowned joie de vivre, a spirited renewal sparked by the light, colour, and tradition of the South of France, where Picasso found fresh inspiration in the years following World War II. With estimates ranging from £1,000 to £250,000, this is an exciting opportunity for new and seasoned collectors alike to acquire works by one of the most influential artists in history.

The sale features over 140 pieces - from charming plates and tiles to striking, large-scale works. Over 120 lots come from a major private European collection, which includes rare exemplaires éditeurs: works originally held back by the atelier as reference examples or for archival purposes. Many of these works were acquired at Christie’s landmark 2012 Madoura Collection sale, an event that marked the final opportunity to acquire ceramics directly from the studio where they were made, the Madoura Atelier in Vallauris, France. Remarkably, several pieces in the current offering were even photographed in the catalogue raisonné, enhancing their historical significance.

With an estimate of £150,000-250,000, Grand vase aux femmes voilées (A.R. 116), conceived in 1950 and executed in a numbered edition of 25, is the top lot of the sale. One of the tallest vases in Picasso’s ceramic oeuvre, it features four graceful female figures, each with unique poses and expressions, brought to life through rich textures and warm terracotta tones. This powerful work stands out not only for its size and beauty, but also for its significance, as it was featured on the cover of Alain Ramié’s catalogue raisonné of Picasso's ceramic works.

Taureau (A.R. 255), estimated at £60,000–80,000, is another key highlight. Conceived on 29 March 1955 and produced in a numbered edition of 100, this dynamic pitcher pulses with the energy of Picasso’s hand. The bold bull motif, a powerful symbol in the artist’s work, serves as both a personal emblem and a tribute to his lifelong fascination with bullfighting, exemplifying Picasso’s radical transformation of the ceramic medium into an expressive, sculptural art form.

 Also offered in the sale is Gros oiseau visage noir (A.R. 118), 1951 (est. £60,000–80,000), a rare edition of 25, showcasing Picasso’s bold manipulation of form. The owl, a recurring symbol in his work, embodies the artist’s boundless imagination and creative spirit. Its curvilinear form is animated by rhythmic surface motifs, while zig-zag and V-shaped monochromatic marks along the handles evoke rustling feathers, adding a sense of movement and guiding the viewer’s gaze toward a sculpted face at the vessel’s centre.

Vase aztèque aux quatre visages (A.R. 402), 1957 (est. £40,000–60,000), executed in a numbered edition of 100, reflects Picasso’s enduring dialogue with antiquity. Inspired by the anthropomorphic "portrait vessels" of ancient Peru’s Moche culture, traditionally depicting a single individual, Picasso reimagines their form with four expressive faces encircling the vessel. Its sculptural shape is brought to life through bold brushstrokes and subtle engraving, blending ancient inspiration with his distinctly modern, abstract style.

Other notable works include Hibou (A.R 224) (estimate: £35,000-55,000), from 1953 and executed in an edition of 25;  Footballeur (A.R. 538) (estimate: £15,000-25,000), conceived in 1965 and executed in a numbered edition of 50; and large scale Canard pique-fleurs (A.R. 117) (estimate: £50,000-80,000), conceived in 1951 and executed in a numbered edition of 50.

An exhibition of the sale will be on view at Christie’s King Street in London from 8 to 22 May 2025.

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