LONDON.- The sustained market growth for British Studio Ceramics continues with record prices being achieved for both 20th century potters and contemporary ceramic artists alike.

With British Studio Ceramics widely recognised as a highly evolved and well established movement, Maak will present the latest auction with exceptional works from acknowledged masters Bernard Leach, Hamada Shoji, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper alongside beautiful examples from later 20th-century potters Emmanuel Cooper, John Ward and Elizabeth Fritsch and contemporary ceramic artists Jennifer Lee and Edmund de Waal.

With over a decade of dedication to nurturing the studio ceramics market, consistently strong results from Maak’s sales over the last three years have included the recent sales from the Dr John Driscoll Collection. As the sale of this collection marks a re-evaluation of the cultural significance of studio ceramics, the most recent sale in March generated a hammer record for Maak. In November 2021 The Art of Fire sale, in partnership with Phillips, resulted in a record 228% pre-sale estimate and set 28 World Auction records. The global reach and number of new collectors moving into this specialism has seen over 1000 new client registrations with Maak over the last 3 years alone. The forthcoming auction will include a further selection from Driscoll’s collection, celebrated for his exquisite taste and ability to acquire works that defined a maker.

Highlights from the 300+ lots in the forthcoming Modern + Contemporary sale include a rare Footed Bowl with Blue Inlay by Lucie Rie and fine large scale Cup on Stand by Hans Coper.

Later works of note include a series of colourful bowls by Emmanuel Cooper and a beautiful early example by contemporary ceramic artist Jennifer Lee.

On Friday 27 May, Maak will be hosting the second FiredUp4 charity auction. Through FiredUp4, the makers of today support the makers of tomorrow as a result of the provision of pottery facilities in OnSide Youth Zones up and down the country.

With FiredUp4 bringing together over 50 leading ceramicists and artists together in this fundraising auction, Maak hopes to build on the success of the 2020 event which raised a staggering £120,000. This year, the auction will be a dedicated one-day sale on Friday 27 May and will include donations by several artists whose works are regularly offered by Maak such as Jennifer Lee, Akiko Hirai, Alison Britton, Clive Bowen and Gabriele Koch. Alongside these well-known makers, the auction includes individual pieces by artists and creatives such as Dame Zandra Rhodes, Nicola Hicks and Kate Daudy.

The auction will also include posthumous pots by Simon Carroll, donated by the estate, a ceramic sculpture by Mo Jupp and a bowl by Michael Cardew.

Working closely with Kate Malone MBE and the FiredUp4 Directors, Neale Graham and Keith Seeley, Maak will be further promoting this important cause during London Craft Week and part of a panel discussion at the Museum of the Home.

Both the Modern + Contemporary Ceramics auction and the FiredUp4 auction will be available to view at 40 Earlham Street, Covent Garden.