Pablo Picasso ceramic Vase Aztèque aux Quatre Visages (Aztec Vase with Four Faces), 1957 A.R. 402 enchants from all angles. Using a calming blue color and thick brushstrokes, Picasso has encircled this vase with four different faces. Each face is uniquely drawn and graced with a different expression. All have delicately pursed lips, detailed with knife engraving, and look happily out of the vase. Rising above the rounded body of the vase is a circular handle that is decorated with the same color blue. On some of the faces the handle looks like it could be elaborately styled hair. Picasso had an artistic fascination with the human face that was wonderfully expressed through his many brilliant and introspective depictions of faces across all mediums.

Picasso drew inspiration for his art from many sources. In terms of his ceramic oeuvre, he drew much inspiration for the form of his ceramics from ancient Mediterranean and Pre-Columbian cultures. This vase was inspired by the Moche of Peru, who also created many zoomorphic vessels that may have influenced Picasso. The rounded handle with spout is called the 'stirrup spout.'

Created in 1957, this Madoura ceramic turned vase of white earthenware clay with decoration in engobes (blue, beige, white) and knife engraved is stamped with the 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and 'EDITION PICASSO' pottery stamps on the underside of the ceramic and in addition is inscribed 'Edition Picasso.'

CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ & COA:

Pablo Picasso ceramic Aztec Vase with Four Faces (Vase Aztèque aux Quatre Visages), 1957 A.R. 402 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: 1988. Listed an illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 402

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.