Pablo Picasso's Visage Tourmente, a rare gold platter, led Christie's auction dedicated to his ceramics on June 18 in London.
 The plate is unique as the only example produced in gold, while a further 20 were made in silver |
The auction once again proved the market strength for Picasso's lively ceramics, with 100% sold by lot.
Visage Tourmente, the only example produced in gold, sold for £193,875 (£303,802) - a 29.2% increase on estimate. Conceived in 1956, the design was produced in silver in a numbered edition of 20.
"The last few years, with the increased buzz around the sales as well as greater academic and curatorial interest in this important area of the artist's working life - he spent 25 years continuously work [sic] in this medium - has seen the market for the ceramic editions continuing to grow even more than we anticipated," commented Christie's Michelle McMullan.
"It was always Picasso's intention that his ceramics should be accessible, hence the creation of editions of up to 500. The introduction of our annual sale aims to allow more collectors to enjoy these fun and beautiful objects."
 Picasso's ceramics were always intended to be accessible to those on a lesser budget |
Oiseaux et Poissons, a partially glazed terracotta jar, brought the next highest bids, selling with a 174.6% increase on estimate at £109,875 ($172,120).
Produced in an edition of 25, the work was first conceived in 1955.
Those looking to join the perennially strong market for Picasso's work will love this signed postcard of The Absinthe Drinker, a much celebrated piece from his early Blue Period.
