Lot 377: Picasso Madoura Ceramic Femme Pitcher

Pablo Picasso (Spain/France, 1881-1973), “Femme,” (A.R. 297), partially glazed and painted earthenware pitcher in the form of a partially nude woman with blue robe. From the 1955 edition of 100. Underside stamped and signed “Edition Picasso / Madoura Plein Feu” 13 1/4″H (33.5 cm) x 4″W (10 cm) x 6″D (15 cm).

Note: this pitcher appears in a circa 1960 period photograph of its original owner, music arranger/publisher/choir director Norman Luboff and his wife Betty. The pitcher is visible at the far left, atop the fireplace mantel in their living room, beside another Picasso piece being offered in this auction.

PROVENANCE: The collection of the late Norman and Betty Luboff, acquired in Vallauris in the 1950s. Norman Luboff (1917-1987) was an internationally known American composer, music arranger and conductor, best known for his work with the Norman Luboff Choir. He was also a passionate collector of Picasso ceramics. Norman and Betty divorced in the mid 1960s, and Norman eventually remarried Gunilla Luboff and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His Picasso ceramics collection was exhibited at the Wills N. Hackney Library at the Atlantic Christian University in Chapel Hill between 1985 and 1987, when Luboff passed away. Copies of an undated Chapel Hill Newsletter article about Luboff and the exhibit (and picturing the Fish, Femme Lamp, and Corrida Fond Noir platter also for sale in this auction) are available to the winning bidder of this lot. (Note: the article incorrectly states that Gunilla was Norman’s wife when the ceramics were purchased; he was actually married to Betty at the time). The collection has descended in the Luboff family to the present consignor.

CONDITION: 1/4″ flake (6 mm) to base, some glaze imperfections in the making, generally very good condition.