Engraved Ceramics

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...

Beautiful Bay Keramik vase with moulded runic patterns, designed by Bodo Mans, this pattern was quite popular during the 1960s. This tall vase is in a very g...

Beautiful Bay Keramik vase with moulded runic patterns, designed by Bodo Mans, this pattern was quite popular during the 1960s. This tall vase is in a very g...

This late 19th century glazed earthenware mug was crafted in the studios of Cincinnati Ohio's renowned Rookwood Pottery Company and has a traditional form with an ear-shaped handle having a thumb rest. The exterior of the piece is finished in standard glaze and features hand painted decoration executed by highly regarded artist William Purcell McDonald (1864-1931). The decor has an appealing wine harvest theme consisting of grape vines that snake across the surface. The vines are studded with leaves in various shades of green along with two dangling clusters of plump reddish grapes. McDonald's application of paint is slightly raised in places giving the image a dimensional quality. The mug is further ornamented with an ornate silver overlay manufactured by Gorham. The silver decoration covers the handle and rim and includes a series of large etched foliate scrolls and flowers that extend across the body. There is also an eye-catching latticed area that provides a strong visual contrast with the gentle curving motifs found on the other parts of the silver overlay. The underside of the mug has an impressed RP mark along with shape 422 and the letter W. It also carries the incised initials of the artist - W. P. McD - and the letter L. The underside of the silver foot rim is stamped Gorham Manufacturing Co. along with a hand engraved mark reading S 1274 S. This highly collectible Rookwood silver...

Rare sculpture of a knight in enameled earthenware by Albert Thiry, France vers 1950. Signed. Albert Thiry (1923-2009) Céramiste originaire de Nice, il étudie à l’Ecole des Arts Dé...

Set of 4 vases in blue (Rimini blue) enameled ceramic by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy circa 1950’s. Sold by set or individually. Heights : 34, 24, 21 and 16 cm

O/3008 - There are four dishes diameter 23 and two diameter 19 cm. The name is "Continental Views" by Copeland and Garrett, very famous in Europe. These dishes are suitable for maki...

Ceramist from Nice, he studied at the School of Decorative Arts. He settled in 1943 in the potters' village of Vallauris. He continued his training as a ceramist in various workshops...

Take tradition to evolve, transform, and innovate are all part of Omar Hernández’s work. Born in a pottery town he was taught from a young age the fundamentals. It was later when Oma...

Table centrepiece made of hand-worked iron in art nouveau style The piece is in Good condition and a real beauty! With original patina on all parts We prefer to sell our items in ...

Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. This is a blue and cyan glazed and engraved ceramic vase. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered...

Take tradition to evolve, transform, and innovate are all part of Omar Hernández’s work. Born in a pottery town he was taught from a young age the fundamentals. It was later when Oma...

Possibly 15th-17th centuries, excavated from Niger (Africa), beautiful red clay slip with incised bands, high neck ending in a flared lip, fine example. Beautiful decorative and eth...