On Thursday 14 November, the Maak Modern + Contemporary Ceramics auction closed with record prices fetched and new collectors turning to the online platform from over 70 territories. Final figures from the auction saw a 81% sale rate and a 107% value result from the 333 Lots. Together with a 25% increase on visitors to the auction viewing at Royal Opera Gallery; an increase to online registrations; and an increased percentage of buyers to lots, the number of works that exceeded their estimates indicates an ever increaing interest in studio ceramics by collectors.
A star sale of the auction was the highest price fetched for a Hans Coper this year as his Large Gobular Pot, 1969 (Lot 107, pictured) fetched £76,800, far exceeding the estimate of £15,000 - £20,000. A second Coper piece, Squeezed Vessel, 1960, (Lot 110) sold for £45,600 and was the star performing lot from the important Miami Collection that formed the cornerstone of the Living Collection title for the sale.
Other key sales from the Miami collection included Coper’s contemporary post war modernist, Lucie Rie, who’s work continues to attract strong sales. Rie’s Straight Sided Bowl (Lot 101, pictured) fetched £31,200 whilst the stunning – Vase with Flared Lip, 1978 (Lot 102) sold for £26,400. Further highlight sales from the collection included a fine example by contemporary ceramicists, John Ward whose Monumental Vellel (Lot 214) sold for £13,200 and the stunning Joanna Constantinidis Pot with Corrugated Front, c. 1972 which sold for £1,920. Likewise, the two spectacular Ursula Morley-Price pieces, Dark Ruffel (Lot 144) attracted international attention to reach an outstanding £3,840 whilst a Mary Rogers Convoluted Bowl, c1978 sold for £4,320.
