Pablo Picasso was undoubtedly an extraordinary 20th century painter but I also feel that in the field of Impressionism his ceramics were also remarkable. All of Picasso’s ceramics were produced at the Madoura pottery run by the Ramie family in Vallauris in the south of France. Picasso first visited the pottery in 1946 and returned every year, making more than 3,500 plates, vases, pitchers and other forms – hundreds of which were turned into edition pieces.. Edition Picasso ceramics were made in multiples of 25 to 500. You don’t have to have deep pockets or be a founding partner of Google to pick up your own Picasso. Ceramics by the artist can be bought for as little as £600 to £1200. At the recent Picasso Ceramics: The Madoura Collection auction at Christie’s on 25-26 June, 543 Lots were on offer and the whole collection was sold. Many ceramics which had remained untouched since they were created were on offer and pre – sale expectations were exceeded by up to four times during the auction. I dropped the video in to highlight the size of some of the pieces followed by some images of items that were sold.
Bouquet
Canard pique-fleurs
Grand vase aux femmes voilées
Pichet-espagnol
Personnages et têtes
Figures 1956
White Enamel
Colombe-brillante
Estimate – $4000 – 6000
Realized – $34,850
Grande tête de femme au chapeau orné
( Large Woman’s Head with Ornate Hat ) – 1964
Neptune
This was one of the more inexpensive pieces that went for $3700
Visage de femme
Taureau gravé
Femme
Madoura turned pitchers of white earthenware clay with decoration in engobes; glazed inside.
La-danse
Femme au Chapeau a Fleurs, Woman with Flowery Hat, 1964
Red earthenware clay rectangular plaque
Cavalier Faun, 1956
A ceramic round dish of white earthenware clay depicting a faun on horseback surrounded by a border of smiling, circular faces.
Visage-aux-cheveux-bouclés
Visage No 59
Vase-au-bouquet
Hibou-blanc-sur-fond-rouge
Hibou
Pichet-aux-arums
Gros oiseau visage noir
Paysage
Tête de chèvre de profil
Poisson-bleu
Visage-d’homme
Visage gravé noir
Jacqueline’s Profile, 1956,
Somewhat hieroglyphic in nature, this depiction of Picasso’s second wife Jacqueline conveys her as strikingly beautiful; with decorative hair, large eyes, and triangular nose, she brings to mind an Egyptian pharaoh. Picasso’s dark brown lines pop against the glossy ivory background, further highlighting Jacqueline’s iconic profile.
Some other Pablo Picasso works :
Colombe-de-paix-(Dove-of-Peace)
A glass work by Picasso evoking both the symbolism and imagery of peace through this brilliantly crafted dove relief. Its bright, Lapis Lazuli Blue coupled with its glimmering luminescence when held to the light, allows this bird to truly take flight.
L’Attente (The Wait), 1966
This work is typical of the early Parisian subjects that contributed to Picasso’s paintings.
( Masterworks Fine Art )
Portrait of Marie Therese - 1937
Pablo Picasso
( Photo – Edward Quinn )
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2 Comments
Have a Madoura Colombe-brilliant plate. How do I determine authenticity? Can I get a picture of back of plate showing Madoura stamp?
I have a 9 1/2 ” round ceramic plate with a black background, green dots, with a simple white line face with devil horns, an open eye, a winking eye( ?), a slight smile, with brown dot checks. On the back, in blue glaze letters it says” Madoura “, the letter ” E “, the letters CR with a half circle through (under) the “R”. It also has an impressed rectangle with the word “Capres” above the word “Picasso”. There is also an impressed symbol in the shape of a mushroom with some indistinguishable writing. Can someone give me any history on this plate? Thanks !