The auction was led by the large-scale ‘Grand vase aux femme nues’, which sold for £728,750 and established a new auction record for a ceramic of this subject. Providing an extensive overview of one of the most fruitful periods in Picasso’s career, the sale began with a work from 1947 and spanned pieces which were conceived by the artist over the following 25 years.

In many ways Lord & Lady Attenborough were pioneers, appreciating Picasso’s creative ingenuity with the medium of fire clay soon after the artist began producing ceramics. Lord Attenborough’s astute understanding of Picasso’s body of work in ceramics has been widely lauded; he understood that Picasso created these pieces with the same innovative passion as his paintings, sculptures and prints.

Actively building a collection that was unique for its time – beginning in 1954 with a souvenir ashtray purchased for £3 – Lord & Lady Attenborough spent the next 50 years acquiring many different examples of the ceramic editions. The well-loved and respected late actor, director and producer recounted how every summer, he and Sheila took their children on holiday to a pension in the South of France. A casual visit to the Madoura pottery in the town of Vallauris – where Picasso began working in 1949 – developed into a joyous annual event when, on or around 29th August, they would drive to the studio to choose his birthday present.