Picasso Madoura "Nez Pincé" Plate
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GUEST:
It was in October 1971. I was on my honeymoon.
APPRAISER:
And you purchased this from whom?
GUEST:
From the potter.
APPRAISER:
And what do you have?
GUEST:
I know it's a Picasso plate. And he was the only authorized person to cast Picasso's pottery.
APPRAISER:
Correct. When you bought this in 1971...
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
...you remember how much you paid for it?
GUEST:
Oh, I think it was about $150.
APPRAISER:
It is done at a pottery called Madoura in Vallauris.
GUEST:
Yes, Vallauris, yes.
APPRAISER:
In the South of France. Picasso did several designs for vessels and for plates.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And they were being executed at this pottery.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And they were done directly from his own designs in editions-- in limited editions.
GUEST:
Correct.
APPRAISER:
Now, the names that have been given to these pieces I think are more descriptive than the actual title, so this is called, in English, "Face with a Pinched Nose," or "Visage au Nez Pincé" This edition was originally designed in 1959 and they don't make them all at the same time.
GUEST:
Mm-mm.
APPRAISER:
It is red earthenware and it's decorated with majolica glaze. But what is so wonderful about this particular piece is, to me, I see an African mask, like one of the masks that he had in "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," his very famous, very large painting. Some of them are much more folksy. This is very Picasso. And I also would like to show the back, because there's a couple of things on the back. There is... There's the mark.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Which says that it is stamped by Picasso and where it's done.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
There's also the edition. 100 for his items is a, is a smallish edition, because they go up to 500. So 100 is nice and small. There's also a chip.
GUEST:
Correct.
APPRAISER:
Which affects the value. This chip right here.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
They're so porous and delicate that they break easily. So in this condition, at auction, I would think that it is probably, these days, going in the $6,000 or $7,000 range.
GUEST:
Really? (laughs)
APPRAISER:
In perfect condition...
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
...they have been doing the $9,000 to $10,000 range.
GUEST:
Okay.
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