Occasionally we like to highlight some of the ceramics we see on auction. These “Collect” posts serve as bellwethers for the health of the contemporary ceramic art market and because these collections turn up some unique pieces that don’t often see the light of day. We ran into a handful of auctions recently from Rago. Let us know what you think of the pieces and their estimates in the comments!
(Left) George Ohr, Vase, ca. 1897 – 1900. Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000. Sale Price: $11,250. (Right) George Ohr, Vase, ca. 1900, 11 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches. Estimate: $65,000 – $95,000. Sale Price: $87,500. Auctioned from the Collection of Dr. Martin Eidelberg. Click to see a larger image.
George Ohr, Cadogan Teapot, ca. 1897 – 1900, 4 1/4 x 8 x 4 1/2 inches. Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000. Sold: $18,750. From Early 20th Century Decorative Arts. Click to see a larger image.
Gio Ponti, Fine covered vessel, “Balletto;” ca. 1923 – 1930, 10 3.4 x 9 inches. Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000. Passed.
Akio Takamori, Untitled Sculpture (Woman with Man and Geese, 1980s-90s, 28 1/4 x 16 x 7 inches. Estimate: $2,500 – $3,500. Sales Price: $8,125.
Richard Notkin, Cooling Tower Teapot, 1984, 6 x 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches. Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000. Passed.
Rudy Autio, Untitled Sculptural Vessel (Coin Counters), 1983. Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500. Sold: $4,688.
Marco Zanini for Ceramiche, Colorado Teapot, 1983. Estimate: $500 – $700. Sold: $2,000. From the Modern Design auction.
Do you love or loathe these works of contemporary ceramics and contemporary ceramic art? let us know in the comments.
George Ohr (The mad potter of Biloxi) was an amazing potter, a massive influence on my work during university. His understanding of materials limitations and how to create unusual effects by pushing these boundaries was amazing for his time.