Pablo Picasso, painted ceramic vase

Updated October 20, 2026

Title: Vase with Multiple Faces Technique: Hand-painted ceramic vase Measures: 8 x 9 inches (20.3 x 22.9 cm) Year: Undated Condition: The ceramic vase appears in generally good overall visual condition based on the photographs supplied. The painted decoration retains strong coloration, with minor surface irregularities, scattered marks, and variations in the painted finish. The rim, handles, and rounded body appear intact in the available views, without obvious major losses or structural damage. The interior, underside, and full circumference have not been examined. Condition is described from the photographs supplied. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: The work was acquired in 2011 by a private collector in the United States. It was lent to a group exhibition in 2019 and sold afterward privately to a European collector in 2020. Visual Description: A boldly decorated ceramic vase featuring multiple stylized human faces arranged around a rounded, bulbous body. The vessel has a broad, slightly flared cylindrical neck, a narrow shoulder, and two small loop handles positioned symmetrically on opposite sides. The decoration combines a warm ivory-colored ground with a striking palette of turquoise blue, black, and golden yellow. Large, expressive eyes, sharply arched eyebrows, elongated noses, circular cheeks, and simplified lips form a continuous arrangement of overlapping facial features across the curved surface. The principal face occupies the central portion of the vessel, with wide turquoise eyes, prominent black eyebrows, an elongated geometric nose, and full blue lips. Additional facial elements extend around the sides, creating the impression of several characters sharing a single sculptural form. The neck is decorated with alternating black and turquoise sections, circular yellow motifs, and spontaneous vertical brushstrokes. The two handles repeat the turquoise-and-black striped pattern, visually connecting the vessel's functional elements with its painted composition. The contrast between the rounded ceramic form and the angular, fragmented facial features creates a dynamic interplay between sculpture and painting. Bold outlines, simplified anatomy, and the simultaneous presentation of multiple faces evoke visual characteristics associated with Cubist and modernist ceramic design. The work is particularly notable for its integration of painted imagery with the three-dimensional surface, allowing the composition to change as the vase is viewed from different angles. This composition reflects stylistic elements commonly associated with major figures in modern and contemporary art. For additional information regarding certification, provenance, or any inquiries about this piece or other items, please don't hesitate to contact us through the HiBid platform. A secondary market exists for uncatalogued artworks like this one, which often results in lower estimated

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