London, Mar 20 (IANS/EFE): A collection of 100 ceramic pieces made by Pablo Picasso were auctioned Tuesday in London for a total of 1.4 million pounds ($2.2 million), almost three times more than the maximum estimated price.

Among the pieces that brought the highest bids at Sotheby's was "Vase Gros oiseau Vert", a vase standing 57.5 centimeters high, half bird and half faun, reflecting the motifs that inspired the Spanish artist at the time of its creation.

The vase, which had a maximum estimated price of $53,000, sold for $157,732.

"The majority of the pieces offered achieved values above their maximum estimated prices," a spokesman for Sotheby's told EFE emphasizing the "great success" of the auction.

Also sparking interest was "Vase Azteque aux quatre visages", a vase with a decorated handle and an Aztec face, which went for $139,620.

"Hibou Brillant", a decorated plate of an owl, exceeded its maximum estimated auction price of $10,500 and brought $94,388.

Picasso discovered his passion for ceramic sculpture when in 1946, at age 64, he became acquainted - by chance - with the owners of the Madoura house of ceramics in the southern French town of Vallauris.

In creating thousands of pieces over the following decades, the artist explored new creative techniques combining painting, sketching, engraving and sculpture.