The sale was led by Tripode, a large terre de faïence vase (1951, numbered 47/75), which sold to a private collector for £191,000 ($272,060), more than two times the pre-sale low estimate (£80,000-120,000), followed by Gros oiseau Picasso, a large terre de faïence vase (1953, numbered 35/75), which realised £106,250 ($151,342). Estimates for the works on offer ranged from £800 to £80,000.

Lucy Rosenburgh, Sotheby’s Picasso ceramics specialist, commented: “These results demonstrate the enormous appeal of Picasso’s ceramics. Collectors can envisage easily fitting these pieces in their homes and living with them – something Picasso would have delighted in when he decided to produce his editions. Over the past five years, London has proved to be the focal point of this market. This growth has coincided with a renewed academic interest in this extraordinarily innovative body of work, created by Picasso with the same passion as his paintings, sculptures and prints.”