About Maak
Dedicated to the Art of Contemporary Ceramics and Craft
Maak is the world’s foremost specialist auction house and consultancy for contemporary ceramics and craft.
Founded in 2009 by Marijke Varrall-Jones, Maak was established with a clear purpose: to nurture a vibrant, sustainable secondary market for contemporary ceramics through specialist auctions and private sales, offering access to exceptional works carefully selected with a curatorial eye and in-depth understanding of the market.
In 2023, Maak expanded its scope to embrace contemporary craft, recognising the many shared values across all the material based disciplines.
Our specialist focus enables us to offer advice rooted in passion, expertise and contextual understanding - while consistently championing the artistic and cultural significance of contemporary ceramics and craft.
Expertly Navigating an Evolving Market
Over the past decade, interest in studio ceramics and modern craft has grown significantly, and Maak has remained at the forefront of this evolving market. As the field has matured, we’ve played a central role in setting new standards of quality and value, reflected in regular auction records, significant institutional acquisitions and the growing recognition of the artistic integrity of ceramics and craft.
Maak’s innovative digital strategy meant we were early to adopt the online-auction format which has allowed us to reach a global audience. While we actively embrace online engagement, we will always value the importance of personal relationships which remain at the heart of the services we offer. Whether you’re new to the field or building on an established collection, Maak offers a calm, considered and experienced presence in an ever-evolving market.
Discover More About
Our curated programme of Specialist Auctions presented throughout the year
The stories behind the important Private Collections we’ve presented to market
Our Advisory Services and how we support collectors and institutions
How to Sell with Us - whether it’s just one small work or a whole collection
How to Buy with Us – either something very specific or you’re just starting your collection
Our Private Sales service for buying and selling outside the auction format
The Maak Team
Marijke Varrall-Jones
Founding Director
With over 25 years of experience in the fine art auction market—more than 20 of which have been devoted to specialising in Contemporary Ceramics—Marijke is widely recognised as a leading authority in the field.
A Sotheby's Institute of Art Alumni, Marijke had an early interest in 20th Century Design and Decorative Arts—fostered during her time in the 20th Century Design department at Sotheby's. She began to specialise in Studio Ceramics in 2004, when she joined the Contemporary Ceramics department at Bonhams, London. At the time, this department represented the pinnacle of the international market for studio ceramics. Marijke led the department as Head of Contemporary Ceramics until its closure in 2008.
In 2022, Marijke founded Maak Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to advancing the understanding of studio ceramics. A particular focus of the Foundation is the support of critical writing, facilitated through regular grants that have helped fund significant publications and non-commercial exhibitions.
Marijke is also the Founding Director of iRostrum Limited, a software house providing online auction platforms and bespoke digital solutions for the auction industry.
Frances Robinson
Director | Sales & Marketing
Frances is Director of Sales and Marketing at Maak, where she oversees the company's valuations as senior valuer and marketing strategies. A specialist in contemporary ceramics and craft, she has over 15 years' experience advising collectors, institutions, and estates within the international art market, and has been with Maak since 2018.
Before joining Maak, Frances spent nearly a decade at Bonhams as a multidisciplinary valuer, running the Modern Art auctions and working closely with private clients and collections. Her move to Maak reflected a long-standing commitment to contemporary makers and to championing studio ceramics and craft at the highest level.
Frances works closely with clients on valuations, private sales, and strategic consignments, combining deep market knowledge with a considered, client-led approach. She plays a central role in shaping Maak's market positioning and in building long-term relationships with collectors and institutions.
She holds a Cert-GA qualification from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, supporting her expertise in material analysis and contemporary craft and jewellery. Frances is also a Trustee of the Maak Foundation, which supports primary research and publishing that advances the understanding and appreciation of studio ceramics.
Katie Newman
Head of Business Development and Client Services
Katie joined Maak in 2026 as Head of Business Development and Client Services, bringing more than twenty-five years' experience across the commercial art world. Working closely with Marijke and the team, she develops strategic partnerships and builds relationships with collectors, institutions and artist estates, supporting Maak’s specialist services in the UK and internationally.
Katie has held senior roles with leading commercial galleries, including Johnny Van Haeften, the Bohun Gallery and David Messum Fine Art, where she was Managing Director. Her experience spans artist representation, collection development and the management and dispersal of artist estates, with a particular interest in preserving and promoting artists' legacies.
Alongside her role at Maak, Katie is a Trustee of the Reading Foundation for Art and serves as a judge for RISE by Henley Festival's annual Emerging Artist Award, reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting artists and the wider cultural sector.
Fleur Manning
Junior Specialist | Head of Sale for Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
Fleur joined Maak in 2021, after nearly five years working at Sotheby’s in London. Previously she obtained her MA in Fine and Decorative Arts from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, where she majored in history of ceramics.
At Maak, Fleur oversees incoming consignments and is responsible for valuations, research and cataloguing of works for auction. Fleur also leads Maak’s Japanese Contemporary Ceramics auctions, helping to grow this specialist sector through our dedicated annual auction that takes place alongside our headline Contemporary Ceramics and Contemporary Craft sales.
Hannah Wilson
Sale Coordinator
Hannah joined Maak in 2020. As Sale Coordinator, she plays an important role in the smooth running of the business, overseeing the care and logistics of all the artworks consigned with Maak for sale
She has been involved in the ceramic industry for over 20 years. Her passion for ceramics began while studying for her degree in Three Dimensional Design. After specialising in ceramics for the final part of her course Hannah went on to make and sell her own work. She continues to develop her skills as a maker alongside working at Maak.
Lis Fitzpatrick
Accounts
Lis joined Maak in 2023 and manages all things finance with a keen eye for detail.
