Collecting guide: Picasso Ceramics
Picasso produced such a dazzling variety of ceramic artworks, it can be hard to know where to start. With this year marking the 75th anniversary of the artist’s collaboration with Madoura pottery, Christie’s specialists offer tips for prospective buyers, from the markings to look for to choosing the right motif for a particular setting
Pablo Picasso in his workshop studio in Vallauris, circa 1948. Photo: © Michel Sima / Bridgeman Images. Picasso’s works & likeness © Succession Picasso / DACS, London 2022
There is a Picasso Ceramic for everyone
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Pichet Espagnol (A.R. 244). Conceived in 1954 and executed in a numbered edition of 300. Sold for £27,720 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage no. 0 (A.R. 458), 1963. White earthenware ceramic plate with coloured engobe and glaze. 10 in (25.4 cm). Estimate: $6,000-$8,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Pichet à glace (A.R. 142). White earthenware ceramic vessel, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 12¾ in (32.4 cm). Conceived in 1952 and executed in a numbered edition of 100. Estimate: £15,000-20,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Pichet anse prise (A.R. 186). White earthenware ceramic pitcher with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 7 5⁄8 in (20 cm). Conceived on 4 April 1953 and a numbered edition of 200. Estimate: £5,000-7,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Familiarise yourself with Picasso’s techniques
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Vallauris (A.R. 331). White earthenware ceramic plate with coloured engobe, black oxide and glaze. Diameter: 16½ in (42 cm). Conceived in 1956 and executed in a numbered edition of 100. Sold for £32,760 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Bouteille gravée (A.R. 249), 1954. White earthenware ceramic vase, partially engraved, with black oxide, black engobe and white glaze. 173⁄8 in (44 cm). Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage dans un carré (A.R. 354). White earthenware ceramic plate with coloured engobe and glaze. Diameter: 16¾ in (42.6 cm). Conceived in 1956 and executed in a numbered edition of 100. Estimate: £7,000-10,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Vallauris (A.R. 331). White earthenware ceramic plate with coloured engobe, black oxide and glaze. Diameter: 16½ in (42 cm). Conceived in 1956 and executed in a numbered edition of 100. Estimate: £18,000-25,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Tête de femme couronnée de fleurs (A.R. 236), 1954, numbered edition of 50. Height: 9⅛ in (23 cm). Estimate: £20,000-30,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online, 22 February to 1 March 2019, Online
Pay attention to stamps and markings
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Hibou blanc sur fond rouge (A.R. 395). Terracotta plate, partially engraved, with coloured engobe. Diameter: 17⅜ in (44.1 cm). Conceived on 25 March 1957 and executed in a numbered edition of 200.
On the underside of the plate (verso), it is stamped, marked, numbered and dated ‘Edition Picasso / Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso / N. 105 / 52/200 / Madoura / 25.3.57’. Sold for £22,680 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Personnages et têtes (A.R. 242), 1954. Terracotta vase with coloured engobe. 215⁄8 in (58.1 cm). Estimate: $60,000-$80,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Plat espagnol au toros (A.R. 403), conceived in 1957. A numbered edition of 100 stamped, marked and numbered ‘Madoura plein feu/edition Picasso/Madoura/edition Picasso/84/100’ (underneath). Terracotta bowl, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Diameter: 16¼ in (41.3 cm). Left: Front, Right: Back. Estimate: $7,000-10,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 2-16 May 2022 at Christie’s Online
Look at the work’s condition
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Chouette (A.R. 602), 1969. White earthenware ceramic vase, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. 111⁄2 in (29.2 cm). Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Femmes fleurs (A.R. 50). White earthenware ceramic pitcher with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 13½ in (34.2 cm). Conceived in 1948 and executed in a numbered edition of 175. Sold for £22,680 in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Oiseau mangeant un ver, executed in 1949. White earthenware ceramic plate, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze and terracotta collage. Length: 15 in (38 cm). This work is unique. Sold for £100,800 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Femmes fleurs (A.R. 50). White earthenware ceramic pitcher with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 13½ in (34.2 cm). Conceived in 1948 and executed in a numbered edition of 175. Estimate: £15,000-20,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Vase deux anses hautes (A.R. 213). White earthenware ceramic vase, partially engraved, with black and white engobe and glaze. Height: 15⅛ in (38.7 cm). Conceived in 1953 and executed in an edition of 400. Estimate: £20,000-30,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Another consideration is whether the ceramic is glazed, unglazed or partially glazed; it is not uncommon to find faint handling marks on unglazed areas. Ceramic, however, is a complex medium, and small imperfections resulting from the production process should not be confused with condition issues. Cracks from firing, crazing (very fine cracks in the glaze) and marks from the studio are all part of the beauty of the final piece.
Pick motifs that suit your surroundings
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Tête de chèvre de profil (A.R. 154), 1952. White earthenware ceramic plate, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. 16 in (40.6 cm). Estimate: $10,000-$15,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage aux yeux rieurs (A.R. 608). White earthenware ceramic pitcher, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 13 in (33 cm). Conceived on 9 January 1969 and executed in a numbered edition of 350. Estimate: £25,000-35,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage au nez noir (A.R. 609). White earthenware ceramic pitcher, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 13⅝ in (34.5 cm). Conceived on 9 January 1969 and executed in a numbered edition of 200. Estimate: £25,000-35,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage aux yeux rieurs (A.R. 608). White earthenware ceramic pitcher, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 13 in (33 cm). Conceived on 9 January 1969 and executed in a numbered edition of 350. Sold for £75,600 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Consider your groupings
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Visage no. 193 (A.R. 493). White earthenware ceramic plate with coloured engobe and glaze. Diameter: 10⅛ in (25.8 cm). Conceived in 1963 and executed in a numbered edition of 150. Sold for £16,380 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Service scènes de corrida (set of 8 plates) (A.R. 416-423), 1959. White earthenware ceramic plates with coloured engobe and glaze. Approximately 17 in (43 cm) each. Estimate: $60,000-$80,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Le barbu (A.R. 217), conceived in 1953. An edition of 500 stamped and marked ‘edition Picasso/Madoura plein feu/edition Picasso’ (underneath). White earthenware ceramic pitcher, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 12⅞ in (33.8 cm). Estimate: $10,000-15,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 2-16 May 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Femme du barbu (A.R. 193), conceived on 10 July 1953. An edition of 500 stamped and marked ‘edition Picasso/Madoura plein feu/edition Picasso/Madoura’ (underneath). White earthenware ceramic pitcher, partially engraved, with coloured engobe and glaze. Height: 15 in (38.5 cm). Estimate: $20,000-30,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 2-16 May 2022 at Christie’s Online
Some will seek out works that can easily be displayed alongside the rest of their collection, choosing to echo a particular theme or style. Others will pursue a ceramic that is completely different from anything they already own, gradually amassing examples of a range of Picasso’s editions.
Decide what means more to you for your collection — variety or consistency.
Recognise your preference
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Sujet poisson (A.R. 139). Terracotta pitcher with black and white engobe. Length: 7¾ in (19.5 cm). Conceived in 1952 and executed in an edition of 500. Sold for £9,450 on 20 September 2022, Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Poissons (A.R. 113), 1950. Partially engraved terracotta vase. 95⁄8 in (24.4 cm). Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Offered in Picasso Ceramics on 7 November at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Sujet poisson (A.R. 139). Terracotta pitcher with black and white engobe. Length: 7¾ in (19.5 cm). Conceived in 1952 and executed in an edition of 500. Sold for £9,450 in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Yan petites têtes (A.R. 515). Terracotta pitcher, partially engraved, with black engobe. Height: 10⅞ in (27.7 cm). Conceived on 30 August 1963 and executed in a numbered edition of 300. This is an exemplaire editeur, from outside of the standard edition. Sold for £6,300 in Picasso Ceramics Online on 6-20 September 2022 at Christie’s Online
Take time to consider whether you attach more importance to the shape and colour of the work, or prefer to focus on other aspects, such as the size of the edition, the year of conception, or the condition of the work. Do you prefer plates or vases? Naturalistic or mythological creatures? Colourful or rustic styles? Whatever your taste, there is a Picasso Ceramic for you.