Back in October we reported on the exciting (if sad) news that the Lord Richard and Lady Sheila Attenborough’s Picasso collection was on sale through Sotheby’s. The collection began in 1954 when the Attenboroughs acquired one of Picasso’s ashtrays. For the next 50 years the couple would travel to southern France to purchase more of Picasso’s contemporary ceramic art and to hobnob with the legendary artist.
Sotheby’s recently posted the results of that auction and we will present those figures for you today. All told, the auction netted more than £3,080,875 GBP ($3,851,309 USD). Most of the ceramics we’ve seen sold for much higher than their estimates. The following are selections from the sale that we thought were particularly interesting. Also, be sure to check out our post about the David Bowie ceramics auction. Grim? Possibly. But it’s also a rare chance to see some of the art that inspired creators we admire.
From Sotheby’s:
The Attenborough collection includes both editioned and unique works depicting real and mythical creatures, classical motifs, bullfighting scenes, and portraits, each piece epitomising Picasso’s masterful and playful take on the age-old tradition of firing clay.
Click to see a larger image.
Pablo Picasso, Grand Vase Aux Femmes Nues, 1950, 25 1/4 inches. Estimate: £250,000 – £350,000 GBP ($312,681 – $437,753 USD). Sold: £728,750 GBP ($911,465.84 USD). Click to see a larger image.
Click to see a larger image.
Pablo Picasso, Personnages Et Têtes, 1954, 22 inches height. Estimate: £50,000 – £70,000 GBP ($62,536 – $87,550 USD). Sold: £137,500 GBP ($171,974 USD). Click to see a larger image.
Click to see a larger image.
Pablo Picasso, Oiseaux et Poissons, 1955, partially painted, 19 1/4 inches high. Estimate: £40,000 – £60,000 GBP ($49,916 – $74,874 USD). Sold: £181,250 GBP ($226,182 USD). Click to see a larger image.
Pablo Picasso, Visage de Femme, 1951, 19 5/8 inches high. Estimate: £120,000 – £180,000 GBP ($149,748 – $224,622 USD). Sold: £260,750 ($325,390 USD). Click to see a larger image.
Click to see a larger image.
Pablo Picasso, Taureau, 1955, 12 inches height. Estimate: £30,000 – £50,000 GBP ($37,437 – $62,395). Sold: £156,250 ($194,984 USD). Click to see a larger image.
Lord Richard and Lady Sheila Attenborough with two of their Picasso ceramics. Click to see a larger image.
Bill Rodgers is the Managing Editor of cfile.daily.
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