This vibrantly colored pitcher utilizes strong color contrast and surface texture to depict a charming owl with large, round eyes. Picasso strategically shapes the pitcher to mimic that of a standing owl with his beak pointed out, his wings at his side, and his legs planted firmly on the ground. The opening and upper rim of the work is particularly detailed, with a pinched spout that seems to echo the decorative mouth that Picasso has created. Bold blue-purple dots speckle the surface of the pitcher and contrast with the more neutral whites and browns utilized in the piece. The equally decorative handle has alternating patches of blue-purple and white alluding to a somewhat optical and abstract element to the overall form.

Created in 1955, this turned pitcher is hand crafted of white earthenware clay with decoration in oxides (black, blue, brown) and engraved by knife on white enamel. With inscribed stamps on the underside of the pitcher, 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and 'EDITION PICASSO'; handwritten inscription in black on the underside of the pitcher, 'EDITION | PICASSO| MADOURA '. Out of the total edition of 500 works produced.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso Petit cruche de hibou (Small owl jug), 1955 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final sale of the work):

1. Ramié, Alain. Picasso Catalogue of the Edited Ceramic Works 1947-1971. Madoura: Galerie Madoura, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonne no. 293.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.