Maak Contemporary Ceramics, the preeminent sellers of international studio ceramic art, has become a notable name over the last decade. With their dedication to presenting only the very finest pieces, Maak has been at the forefront of raising the profile of studio ceramics. Their clientele hail from over 100 countries and auction sale records have exceeded £5.5 million hammer.
The upcoming Modern and Contemporary Ceramics sale marks the twenty-fifth Maak auction, and the auction house is celebrating with an incredible selection of the world's best studio ceramics. In keeping with their established reputation for bringing only the very best pieces to market, the catalogue includes works by internationally renowned artists like Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. The auction will also present a varied selection of works by Akiko Hirai, whose recent exhibitions have sold out in a matter of hours. Bidding opens 29 November and closes 2 December. Read on to discover highlights from this monumental sale.
Collectors will be delighted to see one of the most famous names in studio ceramics, Bernard Leach, available in the sale. Leach, who is regarded as the father of British studio pottery, influenced the course of studio ceramic art for decades. This beautiful vase features white brushed slip beneath a pale grey transparent glaze. The body is divided into six segments with vertically impressed lines and a stunning zig zag design. It is in perfect condition.
Another leading artist of modern studio ceramics, Lucie Rie, has work available in the sale. This porcelain vase with a flaring lip is bound to be a firm favourite among collectors. Its combination of golden bronze and pale terracotta glazes is striking. Meanwhile, the radiating sgraffito is eye-catching and provides a fantastic textural element.
Maak Contemporary Ceramics is known for presenting only the very best, and this piece is no exception. The tall vessel is made by Hans Coper, a German-born British studio potter known for his highly sculptural works. This particular piece was made with layered white porcelain slips and manganese engobes.
Another British studio ceramicist available in the sale is Ewen Henderson. The artist was known for his highly original creations, which typically mixed clays and various coloured glazes. This stoneware piece from the early 1980s was roughly hewn, then glazed in a green glaze. It remains in perfect condition.
One of the most visually striking works is Shouldered Vessel by John Ward. With its black and white alternating bands, the piece stands out beautifully. The artist is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest potters. His work is significantly influenced by pre-glazed pottery from China and Cyprus.
British maker Edmund de Waal is well represented in the sale, with thirteen works available for purchase. This elegant porcelain lidded jar features a pale blue celadon glaze and delicate crackle. The master potter is celebrated for his ability to use objects to convey human narratives, emotions and history. His porcelain installations, typically of minimalist structures like this, investigate themes of materiality and memory.
Rupert Spira’s Very Large Jar is one of the most unique pieces from the outstanding catalogue. With its rich black glaze and three white linear bands, the vessel is sure to impress. The piece is one of four the contemporary artist produced. Spira set very high standards in the craft of ceramics, making pieces larger in scale and more extraordinary than ever with incredible attention to small details. The jar would be a fantastic addition to any collection.
Annie Turner is a well-respected ceramic sculptor living and working in Suffolk. Her artworks are heavily inspired by the natural fragments of shark’s teeth, feathers and other natural artefacts collected from the banks of the River Deben. Her works have been widely exhibited, and ‘Martello Tower’ is certain to attract abundant attention in the sale.
This work, by the Scottish potter Jennifer Lee, features beautiful shades of olive green, brown and ochre, with a dark brown rim. Her work is represented in major collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Maak is offering collectors the rare opportunity to join these incredible institutions in owning a piece of her work.
To see all that's available, check out Maak Contemporary Ceramics on Barnebys
