Lot 144: Elizabeth Fritsch (b.1940), 'Optical Bottle', a

Elizabeth Fritsch (b.1940), 'Optical Bottle', a stoneware vase with painted geometric decoration, 27cm high Elizabeth Fritsch was born in Shropshire in 1940. After initial study at the Royal Academy of Music in harp and piano, she transferred her attention to ceramics. Between 1968 and 1971, she attended the Royal College of Art, working under Hans Coper. Since then, she has risen to become one of Britain's leading ceramicists. After a time spent working at Bing & GrØndhal in Copenhagen, she opened her own workshop in London in 1985. Renowned for her coil-built stoneware vessels, she creates visual illusions, often using geometric decoration in matt colours. Provenance: By descent from Ethel Fasal, one of the founding directors of The Oxford Gallery. Situated at 23 High Street, The Oxford Gallery was established in 1968. The driving force behind the venture was Joan Crossley-Holland. She nurtured relationships with artists and craftsmen from all disciplines, including many of the most renowned British artists. Amongst those featured in their regular exhibitions were Hans Coper, Lucie Rie, Alan Caiger-Smith, Wendy Ramshaw and John Makepeace.