Lucie Rie footed bowl – £33,000 at Chiswick Auctions.
The vendor, who used to live in the area, had purchased the four pieces from a friend who had cleared a London house. The Rie pieces been brought in over the counter at Chiswick during a walk-in valuation.
The cache included one of Rie’s signature wares: a footed bowl, c.1980- 81, decorated with a vibrant turquoise and manganese blue glaze.
Prices for these have risen exponentially since the artist died in 1995. This example made £33,000 (estimate £6000-8000) at the July 26 sale, selling online to a London-based collector.
An earlier stoneware bowl, a conical form with a matt green glaze, c.1960, took £4600 (also selling to a London collector) while a porcelain flowerpot in white with grey inlaid lines, c.1980, went to a dealer at £1500.
All pieces drew attention from Japan where Rie has a strong following.
