RAF SIMONS PRIVAT CERAMICS COLLECTION @PIASA RIVE GAUCHE PARIS

A collection of vases by Roland Brice and Fernand Léger from Raf Simons’ upcoming ceramics auction focusing on the French design period from 1945-70

Inside Raf Simons’ Antwerp lounge, where his collection has been displayed to date. Sofa and armchairs by Pierre Jeanneret, bench by George Nakashima, coffee table by Isamu Noguchi, ceramics by Picasso, flags by Mike Kelly, sculptures by Mark Leckey (top left) and Jim Lambie (on marble floor)

Ceramics by Georges Jouve and Denise Gatard in Simons’ Belgium home

A set of vases by Pol Chambost, which will feature in the auction. ‘With Pol Chambost, I worked on uniting a group of Corolla vases with black and yellow interiors,’ says Simons in the auction catalogue. ‘Being the same colour gives them greater strength and helps reveal the artist’s use of lines and curves’

A collection of cylindrical glazed earthenware vases from 1955 by Georges Jouve. ‘With Georges Jouve, it’s just the opposite – a set of ten pieces with the same colour would be far less interesting,’ adds Simons

Glazed pottery vase, by Valentine Schlegel, 1955. ‘I am also obsessed with Valentine Schlegel’s work and its links to nature’

‘I have also assembled a selection of pieces by Roger Capron,’ explains the designer of his fish coffee table (pictured). ‘His work may be less intellectual, but it is so free, graphic and cheerful. His pieces always give me great joy and energy’

A pair of earthenware lamps by Georges Jouve. ‘What I found magnificent was how the association of simple ingredients – earth, water and fire – gave birth to exceptional pieces,’ Simons says of his lesser-known passion. ‘I also like the relationship between ceramics and nature, the solitary aspect, and the craftsmanship, starting with the clay in your hands’

Vases by Jacques and Dani Ruelland have something very romantic and powerful about them when they are brought together, perhaps because they are designed by a couple,’ says Simons. Pictured are ten bud vases by Jacques Ruelland and Dani Ruelland, made from glazed pottery with manganese