The rise in popularity and value of Picasso’s many, many ceramics has inspired the family of the studio where Picasso painted these works to sell their holdings at Christie’s in London this June:
The Madoura Collection of Picasso Ceramics – the last ever opportunity for collectors to purchase these works by Picasso directly from where they were made, at the Madoura Pottery in Vallauris, France. The Collection is offered for sale by Alain Ramié, a friend and colleague of Picasso’s for many years, the author of the catalogue raisonné of Picasso ceramic editions, and the son of the owners of the Madoura Pottery, Georges and Suzanne Ramié. The Ramié family first inspired Picasso to enter into the world of pottery in 1946, the beginning of a fascination that would last until the final years of his life. This unrivalled Collection is expected to realise a total in the region of £2 million, and will be offered at Christie’s South Kensington saleroom over two days – at 4pm on 25 June and at 10am on 26 June 2012. The auctions will comprise of around 550 ceramics in perfect condition, many of which have remained untouched since they were created, as well as prints, posters, photography and furniture from the Pottery. A broad selection of Picasso’s catalogue raisonné is on offer, dating from his earliest ceramics in 1947 through to his last in 1971, and estimates range from £100 up to £100,000. Highlights from the collection will be on exhibition in Paris, Hong Kong and Christie’s King Street premises prior to the full-sale exhibition in South Kensington, London.
