Georges Jouve was a modern-era ceramicist with a tirelessly creative spirit. He began his career creating vases and other utilitarian vessels but soon renounced anything produced on a pottery wheel in favor of modeling and sculpture techniques. Forms found in nature inspired him to create unusual pieces — large cups that rolled up like vast seashells, curiously stylized birds — all springing from an alert imagination. He left an indelible mark as an unconventional ceramist.
Jouve was born in France, in 1910, to a family of decorators. At 17, he enrolled in the Ecole Boulle in Paris, where he studied sculpture. After graduation in 1930, he became a theater-set designer to help support his new wife and family. He only dabbled in ceramics when he had time — and that time did not present very often.
During World War II, Jouve was interned in a German forced-labor camp for his political views. He eventually escaped and hid at his stepparent’s home in southern France — where he indulged in his passion for ceramics to pass the time. In 1944, after the Germans left Paris, he returned to the city and pursued his dream of opening a ceramics studio.
Jouve’s work caught the eye of furniture designer Jacques Adnet, who asked him to participate in the Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, which was hosted by a decorating and publishing house founded by architect Louis Süe and painter André Mare. His work was warmly received, and his pieces began to sell.
From there, Jouve started to participate in numerous exhibitions. At the 1947 Urban Planning Exhibition in Paris, he won a silver medal for a wall covering. His work was then displayed at several international traveling exhibitions presented by the French Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 1947 to 1950.
In 1954, Jouve left Paris to set up workshops in southern France, where he concentrated on ceramics research and new techniques. His experimentation resulted in breathtaking pieces that other artists have attempted to copy for decades.
On 1stDibs, find Georges Jouve serveware, ceramics, pitchers and more.
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Appliques "Matelot"
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of “Matelots” wall lights by French ceramist Georges Jouve measuring 32 x 20 x 10 cm
Ceramic
Pichet dit chouette
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Georges JOUVE (1910-1964) Earthenware zoomorphic pitcher, decorated with black and gray plumage on a white ground, black metallic interior, opening border animated by a green fillet....
Ceramic
$2,800
H 11 in W 16 in D 10.5 in
Antique French 19th Bronze Equestrian Group Horses Jockeys Statue Sculpture 1895
Located in Portland, OR
A fine late 19th century antique French bronze sculpture group, of a pair of race horses & jockeys, by Paul Louis Emile Loiseau-Rousseau, Paris (1861-1927). The bronze circa 1895 de...
Bronze
Geometric Parrot and Fish Vase #1
Located in Dallas, TX
Helio Gutiérrez is an acclaimed award-winning ceramic artist born in San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua. His pieces may be found internationally in both private and public collections. H...
Ceramic
$1,695
H 10 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Antique French Egyptian Revival Bronze Bust Sculpture Statue "Queen of Babylon"
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique cast bronze sculpture an Egyptian Revival bust "The Queen of Babylon", by the 19th century French sculptor Paul Auguste Gagne, circa 1875. This rare & unusual bronze b...
Bronze
$11,531
H 19.69 in W 10.24 in D 7.09 in
Bust of a Young girl crowned with lilies
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Bust of a Young girl crowned with lilies by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Terracotta bust Signed on the back " A. Carrier Belleuse " Raised on a blue-glazed earthenware...
Terracotta
The three Graces
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
The three Graces by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) A terracotta sculpted group holding up a planter signed on the base "A. Carrier-Belleuse" France circa 1870 height 7...
Terracotta
Running fallow deer
Located in PARIS, FR
Running fallow deer by Pierre-Jules MENE (1810-1879) A rare bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base "P.J. Mêne" With the foundry mark "fondu par Eugène...
Bronze
The Birth of Venus
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse 1
Located in PARIS, FR
The Birth of Venus by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze sculpture with nuanced dark brown patina signed "A. Carrier-Belleuse" cast by Denière France circa 1870 he...
Bronze
$11,500
H 31 in W 39 in D 17 in
Monumental French Figurative Bronze Statue 'Au Loup' Shepherd Dog Sheep Hunting
Located in Portland, OR
An impressive and monumental French antique figurative group bronze statue, titled 'Au Loop, by Louis-Auguste Hiolin (1846-1910), Beaux-Arts period, Paris 1874. This very finely scu...
Bronze
$12,355
H 22.45 in W 9.06 in D 10.24 in
Bust of a young woman with roses
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Bust of a young woman with roses by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Terracotta bust Raised on a blackened woodden base signed "A. Carrier-Belleuse" France circa 1870 to...
Terracotta
Torso of a Woman
Located in PARIS, FR
Torso of a Woman by Marcel GIMOND (1894-1961) A very nuanced brown chamotte sandstone sculpture raised on a green marble base signed on the arm with the monogram " MG " executed at ...
Sandstone
$15,179
H 9.45 in W 15.36 in D 7.88 in
French Napoleon III jewelry box in bronze and gilded bronze by Jules Moignez
By Jules Moigniez
Located in Gavere, BE
Jules Moigniez (1835–1894) French, Napoleon III Period Medium: bronze and gilded bronze Interior : lined in petrol blue velvet ( new restored but same color as the original one ) Si...
Gold, Bronze
Pre-hispanic Sculpture Head.
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-hispanic Sculpture Head. Medium: Azurite. Guerrero, Mexico.
Ceramic
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Vide poche soleil
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Glazed ceramic, signed on back, made in Aix en Provence, where the artist studied
Ceramic