Maak Contemporary Ceramics & Craft

Name: Maak Contemporary Ceramics & Craft
Address: Auction Gallery: Covent Garden, Reading, RG108PZ, GB
Telephone: +441628290050

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Maak Contemporary Ceramics & Craft

Maak is the market leading auction specialists in international contemporary studio ceramics, presenting regular auctions, consultancy and other services.

31/08/2026

What does summer look like at Maak? ☀️

It's a season of new arrivals, valuations, collections and careful preparation as we get ready for our November auction.

As works from our previous sale head off with their new owners, fresh consignments continue to arrive for valuation. Behind the scenes, our team is busy researching, cataloguing and preparing an exciting selection of ceramics for the months ahead.

Every consignment has a story to tell, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Follow along for behind-the-scenes updates and a first look at what's coming to auction this November.

27/08/2026

Every work has a journey before it reaches the auction.

A glimpse behind the scenes as this John Ward pot arrives at Maak. From unboxing and research to cataloguing and photography, the Maak Team carefully prepare each piece, building a deeper understanding of its history, craftsmanship and place within the wider field of contemporary ceramics.

The process behind every auction is thoughtful and considered, with each work handled by specialists who know and appreciate the makers we represent.

Thinking of consigning a ceramic work or collection? Our specialists are always happy to offer advice and valuations.

25/08/2026

Meet the Team | Marijke

This week we're introducing Marijke Varrall-Jones, Founding Director of Maak.

Marijke founded Maak in 2009 and has over 20 years of experience specialising in Contemporary Ceramics. Widely recognised as a leading market specialist, her enthusiasm for developing understanding and appreciation of the field has helped shape Maak’s international profile. This commitment also led to the establishment of Maak Foundation, a charity supporting research, publication and public education in British studio ceramics.

📚 Book recommendation
The Gallery, Letters to a Friend by Peter Dingley. “An insightful read about the life of the gallerist who gave some of our most appreciated ceramic artists today their first exhibition. We’ve had many works originally acquired from the Peter Dingley Gallery come through Maak over the years. It was an especially enjoyable read as I had been trying to trace a copy of this limited edition book for many years and was kindly given a copy as a gift by one of my clients.”

🖼️ Favourite artist
“It would be like choosing a favourite child! It will depend on the day and my mood.”

✨ Favourite part of the auction cycle
Visiting clients and hearing the stories that bring their collections to life. It’s never just a process of acquisition; building a collection, whether intentional or accidental, is always layered with the experiences, relationships and discoveries encountered along the way. A real joy for Maak is not only sharing the understanding and context of the works we’re selling, but also the stories of the collectors behind them.

☕ What gets you through a busy day?
“A strong black coffee to start the day and, if the sun is shining, a lunchtime walk with Juno. And my amazing Maak team!”

🏊 When she’s not at Maak:
“In the river! Either swimming, paddling or boating, we make the most of our beautiful location here on the River Thames whenever we can.”

24/08/2026

Born on this day: Kawai Kanjirō (1890–1966)

A potter, calligrapher, sculptor, writer and philosopher, Kawai Kanjirō was one of the founding figures of the Mingei movement, an approach to craft rooted in the belief in beauty found in everyday, functional, handmade objects.

Coined as the “art of the people,” mingei emphasises “beauty born of use”, celebrating simple, honest objects made for daily life.

Based in Kyoto, his former house and studio is now preserved as a museum dedicated to his life and practice. The site includes his workshop and a traditional noborigama (climbing kiln), which he built and used for large-scale firings lasting up to 48 hours, consuming over 2,000 bundles of firewood and reaching temperatures of around 1,350°C.

A visit offers a rare insight into his working life and philosophy, and is highly recommended for anyone interested in Japanese ceramics and modern craft.

21/08/2026

Maak recently visited Ladbroke Hall to see The Language of Glaze: Shimizu Uichi at 100 at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, a remarkable exhibition celebrating one of Japan’s most significant ceramic artists of the twentieth century.

Shimizu Uichi’s practice is a study in restraint, precision and material intelligence. Drawing on the traditions of Song Dynasty ceramics, he developed an extraordinary language through glaze, using the kiln itself as a means of expression.

From his signature craquelure celadon to the deep, controlled surfaces of his tetsu-yū (iron glaze), these vessels reveal an artist for whom glaze was never simply a finish, but the very substance of the work.

Particularly significant is the presentation of works that have never previously been exhibited, preserved within the artist’s family collection and workshop for decades.

Open now until 28 August 2026 at
CARPENTERS WORKSHOP GALLERY

18/08/2026

Object of the Week | Hans Coper

This week’s Object of the Week is Ovoid Form with Lobes, circa 1968, by Hans Coper (1920–1981).

With its generously rounded body, oval neck and richly textured surface, this striking form demonstrates Coper’s distinctive approach to sculptural ceramics. Layered white slips and engobes sit over manganese, creating a surface that draws attention to both the material and the irregularities of its hand-worked texture.

The work comes from the Shipley Collection and was acquired at Sotheby’s London in 1982. It was also exhibited in Hans Coper: Less Means More at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in 2019.

Discover this work and explore our past auction results on our website
maaklondon.com

12/08/2026

How do you tie a tomobako?

A tomobako (共箱) is a traditional wooden box used to store and present Japanese ceramics, including tea ware.

Our specialist Hannah talks you through how to tie one, step by step, from positioning the cord to securing the final knot.

Save this Reel for the next time you need it!

09/08/2026

Meet the Team | Frances

This week we're introducing Frances, our Director of Sales & Marketing and Senior Specialist in Contemporary Ceramics and Craft.

Frances Robinson has been part of the Maak team for almost nine years, overseeing valuations as our Senior Specialist whilst leading our sales and marketing. Frances brings over 15 years of experience advising collectors, institutions and estates across the international art market.

📚 Book recommendation
The Crafts in Britain in the 20th Century by Tanya Harrod remains a fantastic resource. Harrod explores how makers responded to industrialisation by championing craftsmanship, material integrity and artistic individuality, while examining the influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement, modernism and post-war studio practice.

🖼️ Favourite recent exhibition
A recent trip to Menorca led to an unexpected discovery of an Antoni Tàpies exhibition at Galería Cayón. A wonderful find in such a unique setting.

🏺 Favourite artists
Fernando Casasempere and Claudi Casanovas. Both use clay to explore the intersection of nature and culture. Casasempere creates intimate forms inspired by the natural world, while Casanovas works on a monumental scale, using texture and materiality to evoke geological processes, cultural memory and our enduring connection with the earth.

✨ Favourite part of the auction cycle
Meeting collectors and building lasting relationships. Frances especially enjoys hearing the stories behind collections and, on sale day, seeing works find new homes and become part of a collector's journey.

🐕 What gets you through a busy day?
"The amazing Maak team who tolerate my ridiculous love and rambling conversations about chickens, Wednesday Walks with the poochies and, of course, cake!"

👶 When she's not at Maak: Frances is currently on maternity leave, enjoying time with her growing family and looking forward to returning to the team in the new year.

06/08/2026

Object of the Week | Claudi Casanovas, Bowl Form, 1989

Selected by Frances, this Bowl Form by Claudi Casanovas was one of her favourite works from Contemporary Ceramics featuring The Grainer Collection, held in May 2025.

Created in stoneware and mixed media, Bowl Form is constructed from laminated black, grey and brown clays with grey and white stone inclusions, its heavily textured, volcanic surface echoing geological strata and weathered landscapes. A defining example of Casanovas' sculptural practice, the work reflects his pioneering experimentation with layered clays, natural materials and surface treatments, pushing the boundaries between ceramics and sculpture.

The work came from the distinguished collection of Marc & Diane Grainer from Washington DC, and was acquired from Galerie Besson, London, in 2000. The Grainer Collection formed the centrepiece of Maak's May 2025 Contemporary Ceramics auction, celebrating one of the most significant private collections of contemporary ceramics to come to market.

"Casanovas approaches ceramics on a monumental scale, using texture and materiality to evoke geological processes, cultural memory and the enduring connection between humanity and the earth. This work was particularly special as it came from The Grainer Collection – a wonderful couple to work with and a truly unique collection." — Frances

Do you have a favourite work by Claudi Casanovas? Let us know in the comments, or explore more works on our website.

04/08/2026

A glimpse behind the scenes at Maak this summer

A new contemporary Japanese ceramic piece arrives as we prepare consignments for our upcoming auctions. Every piece begins its journey with us long before auction day, handled with the utmost care by our specialists.

We are now welcoming consignments for our forthcoming auctions.

🏺 Contemporary Ceramics
🏺 Elemental | Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
📅 14–19 November 2026

Whether you are considering selling a single work or an entire collection, our specialists are here to offer expert guidance and a free, no-obligation valuation.

Get in touch to discuss your piece or collection.

Address

Auction Gallery: Covent Garden
Reading
RG108PZ

Telephone

+441628290050

Website

https://www.maaklondon.com/

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