Michael Bowman's September 2017 auction at Chudleigh will be remembered for the star part played by a 10" diameter stoneware bowl by the renowned ceramicist, Dame Lucie Rie.
Austrian born Lucie Rie (1902-1995), fled Austria prior to World War II, to settle in London. The years that followed, saw her build a reputation as one of our leading ceramic artists, counting Bernard Leach, as one of her circle of friends.
The bowl on offer at Chudleigh, emerged from a local deceased estate in Totnes and displayed a version of the 'knitted' form of decoration employed by Rie in many of her Japanese-inspired creations.
An estimate of £6,000-9,000 attracted six telephone bidders as well as a substantial commission bid from Japan. The eventual buyers on the telephone, were UK collectors, who stretched themselves to a final bid of £23,000 for their prize!