Lucie Rie fled Nazi persecution in Austria in 1938 to arrive in London where she would go on to become one of the most celebrated potters of the 20th Century. Thanks to her technical knowledge and innovative experimentation with clays and glazes, she offered an alternative to traditional pottery with works showcasing a Modernist and “urban” aesthetic. She had a keen eye for talent and her assistant and apprentice Hans Coper who she worked closely with for several years would go on to break ceramic auction records. It is possible to pick up a Lucie Rie sugar bowl or small vase for around £1,500 to £2,000 but her larger bowls or bottle vases have been known to fetch a significant £130,000 - £140,000 at auction.

As already mentioned, Hans Coper initially worked under Lucie Rie but the German-born artist, who also fled Nazi persecution to arrive in the UK, has become the record breaker for studio pottery at auction. His tall bottle vase with disc was sold at Bonhams for a colossal £655,500, after an estimate of just £80,000-£120,000. With his own distinctive style, Coper favours sculptural form over function and has become widely appreciated for his abstracted ceramics. In the last couple of years, you would be hard pushed to find one of his works for less than £10,000 regardless of size.

In addition to these three leading potters, there are of course many more well-known names in the British studio pottery movement whose works are also enjoying auction success. It is important to understand which ceramic artists are currently trending and to ensure your ceramic collection is adequately insured to cover any loss, damage, or theft.

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