Austrian-born British ceramist Lucie Rie has shattered the auction record for her work. Rie’s Footed bowl (1981) achieved a record-breaking £330,200 ($400,830), smashing its pre-sale estimate of £50,000–£80,000 ($60,000–$98,000). This sale toppled the previous record for Rie’s work, also a Footed bowl, which fetched £171,000 ($210,000) at a Phillips auction in 2020.
The record-breaking auction, hosted by Phillips in London, not only celebrated Rie’s legacy but also that of her compatriot Hans Coper. Together, their work from the Estate of Jane Coper and the former Collection of Cyril Frankel was part of the Autumn Design sales. The pieces amassed £8.2 million ($10 million), with Coper also setting a new auction record. Black ‘Cycladic Arrow’ form (1976), part of the artist’s “Cycladic” series sold for £647,700 ($790,294).
“The resounding confidence displayed by collectors in 20th century ceramics is a testament to the rarity and exceptional quality of these works,” said Domenico Raimondo, head of design, Europe, and senior international specialist of the sale.
Born in Vienna in 1902, Rie is known for her impeccable glazing techniques and innovative design. Along with Coper, Rie escapes the threat of Nazi Germany by moving to London in the late 1930s. Her hand-thrown pots, bottles, and bowl forms often feature vibrant color palettes and Modernist forms. Over the past decades, her work has commanded increased attention on the global market, with prices steadily climbing.
