Stoneware art private collection of 'most iconic pieces' auctions in New York

Stoneware by Axel Salto and vessels by Lea Halpern, and Gertrud and Otto are auctioning in New York

Some of the most iconic forms of organic stoneware are going up for sale in New York on March 7. They will auction in a Private Collection of Mid-Century Design and Ceramic Arts, as part of a sale held by Sotheby's.

Stoneware designs by Danish ceramicist Axel Salto will be among the highlights. Also for sale is an extremely rare assemblage of vessels by Lea Halpern, alongside ceramic pieces by Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Lucie Rie, and Laura Andreson.

With big names like these involved, the auction promises some of the finest and most coveted examples from the mid-century. According to the auctioneer, this is the best sale of its kind to have hit the Big Apple in recent years.

The collection has been curated by the noted expert Larry Weinberg. The majority of its pieces are estimated at circa $10,000.

This Lucie Rie vase among the stoneware collectibles for sale at Sotheby's

James Zemaitis, Senior Vice President of Sotheby's 20th Century Design department in New York, describes the collection as "academic, yet deeply soulful" with "a real serenity in how it re-creates the mid-century lifestyle in an idealised manner."

The collection is also remarkable for its unique synthesis of Californian and Scandinavian design.

With its relatively-affordable $10,000 estimates, this collection could be a perfect opportunity for new and seasoned collectors to bid on museum-quality works by some of the 20^th century's most respected and influential ceramicists.

The 20th Century Design sale will exhibit in Sotheby's York Avenue galleries beginning 3 March.

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Images: Sotheby's