ABELL AUCTION CO. PRESENTS “THE NATZLER ESTATE: MASTERS OF MODERN CERAMICS” ON APRIL 21 IN LOS ANGELES
The highly anticipated sale is headlined by original pottery and an assortment of fine artwork, jewelry, and furnishings that reflect the aesthetic vision and creative life of the celebrated mid-century artists
Abell Auction Co. is pleased to present “The Natzler Estate: Masters of Modern Ceramics” on April 21, offering masterfully crafted ceramics and personal property from the historic Hollywood Hills home of two artists whose work helped define 20th-century design. Live online bidding will be available to collectors worldwide starting at 9 a.m. PDT.
After fleeing the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, Otto and Gertrud settled in Los Angeles and went on to create one of the most significant artistic collaborations in modern studio ceramics. Over decades, Gertrud became celebrated for her exquisitely thin, masterfully thrown forms, while Otto developed more than 2,000 innovative glazes through rigorous experimentation and near-scientific precision. Together, they produced more than 25,000 works, many of which are now held in major museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution.
Featuring more than 300 lots, the auction centers on original pottery by Otto and Gertrud Natzler, along with fine paintings, photography, sterling silver, jewelry, furniture and rugs from their Los Angeles hillside home and studio. The offering reflects a home where art and daily life were inseparable, shaped by years of creativity, craftsmanship and design. Highlighted items include:
- Rare original pottery by Otto and Gertrud Natzler
- Archival photographs of the Natzlers’ ceramic works and studio
- A walnut and black leather Sam Maloof armchair
- An assortment of vintage jewelry
- Sterling silver collectibles
- Signed pen and ink on paper, “Two Mothers,” by Rubin Reven
- Collection of paintings and prints
“Otto and Gertrud Natzler created work of extraordinary beauty and lasting importance, and this auction offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistic world they built together,” said Patrick Abell, director of operations for Abell Auction Co. “From original pottery to the artwork, furnishings and personal possessions that filled their home, the sale reflects a distinctive life shaped by creativity, discipline and remarkable taste.”
Also included are selected works by Gail Reynolds Natzler, a photographer and artist who married Otto Natzler in 1973 and later helped preserve the Natzlers’ artistic legacy. Her presence at the sale adds another layer to the estate’s history.
Auction Date & Time
April 21, 2026, with live online bidding starting at 9 a.m. PDT
Preview Exhibition
April 16, 17 and 20, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Abell Auction Co.’s Los Angeles gallery, 2613 Yates Ave., 90040
