Pablo Picasso Furniture

The engraved and brush painted ceramic plate, Visage Gris (Grey Face) is one the most iconic pieces created by Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) at the Madoura workshop in Vallauris, France. It is said "all portraits are self portraits". In this work, we see Picasso's wistfulness, vulnerability and humor set within a beautiful image representing both the sun and the moon, the masculine and the feminine. Picasso mastery of form, image, composition and subtle color is evident in a work that resonates transcendence. Created in 1953, Pablo Picasso ceramic Visage Gris (Grey Face), 1953 A.R. 206 is a Madoura white earthenware clay, knife engraved under partial brushed glaze with decoration in engobes (green, black, white) from the edition of 500. This work is stamped with the 'Madoura PLEIN FEU' and ‘EMPREINTE ORIGINALE DE PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the reverse. Dimensions: 12 3/8 x 15 1/8 x 1 5/8in (31.4 x 38.3 x 4.1cm). Madoura was an artisan workshop created by Georges and Suzanne Ramie which collaborated with Picasso in the fabrication and hand painting of the works. Pablo Picasso designed 633 different ceramic editions between 1947 and 1971 at the Madoura workshop, with a number of variants and unique pieces resulting from these initial works. He began by creating simple, utilitarian objects such as plates and bowls, but later produced more complex forms, including pitchers and vases — their handles occasionally shaped to form facial features, or anatomical parts of his animal subjects. Picasso remains one of the highest-grossing artists at auction today, and the range of his ceramics means it's possible to find both a good investment and a beautiful object. Visage Gris is among the most important. A Short Biography follows: Pablo Picasso revolutionized the art world and to many is THE artist of the 20th century. He is famous for his role in pioneering Cubism with Georges Braque and for his melancholy Blue Period pieces. Original signed Picasso lithographs and prints are a sure investment. Madoura Picasso ceramics are highly collectible in their own right. As one of the most influential Modern artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso is renowned as a legendary artistic master to this day. Born on October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, Pablo Picasso was a child prodigy who was recognized as such by his art-teacher father, who ably led him along. The small Museo de Picasso in Barcelona is devoted primarily to his early works, which include strikingly realistic renderings of casts of ancient sculpture. Picasso was a rebel from the start and, as a teenager, began to frequent the Barcelona cafes where intellectuals gathered. He soon went to Paris, the capital of art, and soaked up the works of Edouard Manet, Gustave Courbet, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose sketchy style impressed him greatly. Then it was back to Spain, a return to France, and again back to Spain – all in the years 1899 to 1904. Before he struck upon Cubism, Picasso went through a prodigious number of styles – realism, caricature, the Blue Period, and the Rose Period. These distinguished styles are apparent in the unique original works as well as Picasso ceramics, lithographs, linocuts, and etchings that he created later in his life. The Blue Period dates from 1901 to 1904 and is characterized by a predominantly blue palette and focuses on outcasts, beggars, and prostitutes. This was when he also produced his first sculptures. The most poignant work of the style, La Vie (1903), currently located in Cleveland’s Museum of Art, was created in memory of his childhood friend, the Spanish poet Carlos Casagemas, who had committed suicide. The painting started as a self-portrait, but Picasso’s features became those of his lost friend. The composition is stilted, the space compressed, the gestures stiff, and the tones predominantly blue. The Rose Period began around 1904 when Picasso’s palette brightened and is dominated by pinks and beiges, light blues, and roses. His subjects are saltimbanques (circus people), harlequins, and clowns, all of whom seem to be mute and strangely inactive. One of the premier works of this period is Family of Saltimbanques (1905), currently in Washington, D.C. at the National Gallery, which portrays a group of circus workers who appear alienated and incapable of communicating with each other, set in a one-dimensional space. In 1905, Picasso went briefly to Holland, and on his return to Paris, his works took on a classical aura with large male and female figures seen frontally or in distinct profile, as in early Greek art. One of the best examples of this style is in the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY, La Toilette (1906). Several pieces in this new, classical style were purchased by Gertrude Stein (the art patron and writer) and her brother, Leo Stein. With his groundbreaking 1907 painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon...

A beautiful, small dish with a handle from Söholm ceramics based in Bornholm, Denmark. A simple glazed pattern on the inside and fired earthenware on the exterior and handle. Signed LE and stamped 3215/2. Søholm Keramik (Ceramics), Denmark was founded by Edvard Christian Sonne and Herman Sonne Wolffsen in 1835. It has been one of Denmark’s leading manufacturers of modern ceramics both of household goods and art pottery. One of the most leading Scandinavian?designers and artists was the famous Michael Andersen, who made some famous art ceramic interior design objects such as vases in the 1960s-70s, using a modern twist on his vases as well as very special glazing techniques valued by the retro and vintage...

Italian ceramic hand painted plate by Etruria Sesto Fiorentino 1970s. Beautiful Decorative centre plate with blue black and red colours.  

Beautiful Venetian style Murano candy dish, signed Jauetts L. Hand blown with two charming birds perched on the outer edge of an elegant, shallow bow...

Portugese ceramic vide poche or ashtray adorned with painted olives and their leaves leaves. Underneath is a glazed terra cotta color.

Ceramic shell dish by Pol Chambost (1906-1983) Circa 1950 Signed under the base

Marcello Fantoni (born 1915) beautiful ceramic dish or vide-poche, signed, in excellent condition.  

Vintage Italian decorative ceramic candy dish by Guido Gambone (circa 1950s). A flying saucer shaped dish with cover is painted with alternating blu...

Incredible hand painted ceramic dish with handle by French ceramic artist Robert Picault from the 1960's. Vibrant green and brown colors painted on white ceramic with a bird motif. S...

A very beautiful porcelain jewelry dish with tropical parrot bird design, circa 1980s, USA. Piece was made in 1989 as marked. Dish is oblong with scalloped edge, beautiful parrot bir...

1881 - 1973 What can I say about Picasso that hasn't already been written...? Only that I'm an admirer of an artist with so much passion and dedication. From the estate of the late Naomi Caryl Hirshhorn, daughter of the late art collector Joseph H. Hirshhorn of the 'Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden'. Selling "as is". Some chips and a crack. It can be restored or left as is for historical aesthetics or integrity like an old Etruscan piece of pottery. Ceramic with white glaze on the bottom with hallmarks, bisque glaze on top with painterly brush...

Beautiful ornament or accent piece in any space, unique colors and shapes with perfect glaze, owning a piece by Harris Strong is having a piece of American modernism