Zebra and flower vase

An Ardmore Anthology presents a vibrant array of decorative sculptures and functional ceramics from Ardmore Ceramic Studio. The playful pieces all come from a single-owner private collection and span from 1997 to 2012.

Guided by her passion for arts education, Ardmore Ceramic Studio was founded by Fée Halsted in 1985. Rooted in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Ardmore was first based in the Drakensberg and moved to the Midlands in 2002. Their studio, retail space and the Bonnie Ntshalintshali Museum (established in 2003) are nestled on a quiet farm on Caversham Road.

Working with a team of over 70 artists, the studio’s deeply collaborative process means the works they produce are as much a celebration of the power of community as they are of their unique creative expression. For 40 years, Ardmore artists have presented historical retellings, sharp social commentary and familiar cultural legends through striking ceramics. Prominent in this collection is a distinctly African spirit expressed by the animals Ardmore Studio so masterfully brings to life.

Alongside the creation date and studio logo, marked on the base of each Ardmore piece are the names of the individuals who formed and painted the vessels. The Ardmore Anthology sale includes pieces made by notable Ardmore artists such as Wonderboy Nxumalo, Punch Shabalala and Lovemore Sithole. Some lots on offer, such as lot 83 (Giraffe bowl), pay homage to founding Ardmore member and celebrated ceramicist, Bonnie Ntshalintshali.

Ardmore’s highly collectable pieces are sought after locally and internationally. They have also been exhibited widely and feature in permanent collections of museums around the world, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. The wide collection on offer in this sale is a colourful testament to Ardmore Ceramic Studio’s globally recognised artistry and the creative talent of generations of black artists it has nurtured.