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21 Nov 2009, San Francisco and Los Angeles |
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24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
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24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
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24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
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Woman Who Dressed Beatles' Girlfriends Celebrates 10th Year Of Her New Ceramics Career At Bonhams Sale
http://www.bonhams.com/design
In 1999, Sally Tuffin, the doyenne of 1960’s Swinging London boutique fashion was invited to produce a select offering of unique ceramic wares for auction. A decade later on 23rd September Bonhams is holding its 10th anniversary sale of Sally Tuffin pieces.
From modest beginnings there has been a year on year increase in demand for these specially produced unique pieces at auction. In year one, the top hammer price was £2,000, in 2007 it had leapt to an amazing £17,500, and was still holding steady in the autumn of 2008 with a top price of £11,000.
Sally Tuffin became an established name in fashion during the 60s with her partner Marion Foale, and their Carnaby Street boutique firm Foale and Tuffin. She turned her keen eye for design to ceramics in the 80s, establishing Dennis Chinaworks in 1985 with her husband Richard Dennis.
Each piece is designed by Sally, and then hand-thrown and hand-painted by her dedicated team of throwers, modellers and painters. Working in unison with her skilled craftsmen, Sally uses a wealth of ceramic production experience to create ever bolder and brighter designs.
Having established a strong collectors-base throughout the 1990s, Sally and her team were approached by Mark Oliver, Head of 20th Century Decorative Arts at Bonhams (then Phillips Auctioneers), and asked to contribute a selection of pieces, unique commissions for the sale. A total of seventeen lots were offered, with a top price of £2,000 paid for a footbath with a ‘Polar Bears’ design, with three other lots fetching more than £1,000. The results were so positive, the venture was repeated in 2000 with equal success, and has since become an established annual event.
"It was a privilege to be asked by Mark Oliver to make some pots for a Bonhams auction in 1999,” says Sally Tuffin. “It has been the highlight of each year and as a group we rise to the occasion and enjoy the challenge, a chance to express ourselves without the constraints of production."
Since the inaugural auction in 1999, demand for the one off production pieces has continued to rise, bringing the hammer prices with it. Beyond all expectation in 2001, the first five-figure sum was achieved for “Bees”, a large vase and cover, which fetched an amazing £11,500 hammer price.
Since then, the world record for Sally’s work has been smashed twice more, with “March of the Penguins” realising £13,100 in 2005, and more recently “Penguin Huddle” in 2007 realising £17,500. The results for 2008 showed a steady support of her work, with the top lot “Circus with Clowns Big Top” achieving £11,000.
Mark Oliver, Bonham’s Head of Design recalls: “As auctioneer I recall audible gasps from the room when Sally first broke the £10K barrier back in 2001. Since then her popularity has gained momentum as her designs have become more adventurous sale by sale. 2005’s Penguin Huddle vase and cover for example required the modelling of over 140 individual penguins to complete the piece!”
Further press information and images Julian Roup on 0207 468 8259 or email
julian.roup@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com.
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