Leading Roseberys’ inaugural stand-alone sale of 20th century decorative arts on January 23 – the first under new head of department Fiona Baker – was this large Art Deco ceramic vase and cover (right) by the important French Art Deco ceramicist René Buthaud (1886-1986).
It topped proceedings at £26,000 (plus buyer’s premium), selling to an online buyer from France.
Buthaud was heavily influenced by African tribal art: here the 2ft (60cm) vessel is decorated with a stylised crocodile and fish to one side and a woman holding a bowl to the other. It carries a painted RB monogram to the base. The estimate of £1000-2000 was doubtless part of its appeal, although the vase had a restored crack to the body and a replaced finial to the cover.