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

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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 designed 633 different ceramic editions between 1947 and 1971, 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 easy to find a work that is both an investment and an object you’ll love. So there really is a perfect Picasso Ceramic for everyone.
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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

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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

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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

Over the course of his career, Picasso explored a number of different ceramic techniques — experimenting with paint, playing with form, or engraving the clay’s surface. Eventually, extensive research led him to adopt two main production methods.  The first was based on the painstaking replication of an original object by hand, following its form and decoration as closely as possible. The second method involved the artist creating original images in dry clay moulds, then transferring the design onto fresh clay; works made in this way carry the mark ‘Empreinte Originale de Picasso’.
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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

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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

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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

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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

Every ceramic produced by Picasso features a stamp or marking, which can be found on the underside of the work, on the reverse, or even inside the piece. Some editions also include their edition number (e.g. 1/40) or a date. These stamps and markings differ from one edition to another, and evolved over time. The most common, however, are ‘Madoura Plein Feu’, ‘Empreinte Originale de Picasso’ and ‘Edition Picasso’.

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

When deciding whether to buy any ceramic, it’s important to know how to assess its condition. Here, date can provide a useful guide. It is very rare, for example, to come across ceramics from Picasso’s earlier editions that are still perfect. If shown, the number of the edition should also be taken into consideration — a work that is number one in a series of 500 (1/500) will have been made much earlier than work numbered 500/500.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Whether it is one of Picasso’s famous bullfighting scenes, a visage plate, an owl, goat or fish piece, or a portrait of his last muse and second wife, Jacqueline Roque, each work will sit differently depending on its surroundings. A particular design might fit better in one room than in another, depending on its shape and colour.

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

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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

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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

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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

Many of our clients will have more than one Picasso Ceramic at home. When deciding to buy a new piece, they will often be influenced by what is already in their collection.

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

The sheer variety of Picasso Ceramics is part of their enduring appeal. Recognising your preferences, however, can help to refine the collecting process considerably.
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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

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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

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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.

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