LOS ANGELES, CA.- 33 ceramics, paintings and sculptures from the collection of Bill and Peggy Foote, leading collectors of Frey’s work, will be offered. Through a lifelong partnership, the Footes collected approximately 100 pieces by Viola Frey, exhibiting her work in their Oakland home over a period of 40 years.

Frey, born in Lodi, California, is recognized as one of the central figures of California’s Funk Art movement. Over a span of five decades, Frey showcased an aptitude for multiple mediums, including painting, drawing, bronze and glass, however it was her work in the field of ceramic sculpture that pushed her to the movement’s forefront. Frey played a crucial role in bringing ceramics into the contemporary art world, employing a technique-heavy practice of intricate glazing and meticulous construction while creating a diverse body of work that reflected the intellectual rigor of her surrounding artistic communities. Highlights in the sale include the glazed stoneware Biography of a Civilization (1969) estimated at $4,000 – 6,000; painted ceramic Untitled (Vessel with Figures and Movable Cloud) (1968) estimated at $2,000 – 4,000; painting on canvas Geese Triptych (1968) estimated at $2,000 – 4,000; and the ceramic Round Vietnam Memorial Pot (1966-68) estimated at $2,000 – 4,000.

Frey was a key artist in breaking Modernist boundaries, free of “domestic” or “functional” labels commonly associated with ceramics. Further female ceramicists and their work featured in the sale include Betty Woodman (1930–2018), Large Vessel with Handle (circa 1970), estimated at $4,000 – 6,000; Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011), Ocean Edge (circa 1995), estimated at $4,000-6,000; and Magdalena Frimkess (b. 1929), Planter (Flowers and People) (1971) estimated at $3,000 – 5,000.

The sale is also lead by two exceptional Tiffany Studios (1899–1930) works. Notable for their vivid use of hand-cut colored glass, the Rare Rose and Butterfly Table Lamp, circa 1910, estimated $60,000-80,000 and Peony Hanging Shade, circa 1905, estimated $35,000-45,000, feature intricate organic patterns, harmonious color palettes, and stunning, jewel-like stained glass.

Additional sale highlights include:

• A Crypto 10 Armchair Prototype, cast in bronze in 1985 and designed by Sido (1936 – 1986) and Francois Thevenin (1931 – 2016), estimated at $40,000 – 60,000.

• Carlton bookcase, designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottass (1917 – 2007), estimated at $8,000 – 12,000.

• Set of Six Grass Seated Chairs, 1956 by George Nakashima (1905-1990), estimated at $20,000 – 30,000.

• We Love Louisa (Monumental Vessel), by Michael (b. 1937) and Magdalena Frimkess (b. 1929), estimated at $20,000 – 30,000.

• Mosaic Tabletop, 1950, by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), estimated at $20,000 – 30,000.