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
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
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
$1,000
H 12.5 in W 12.5 in D 2 in
Julian Opie Birds Limited Edition Fine Bone China Plate Pop Art Ed of 250 Signed
By Julian Opie
Located in Draper, UT
Medium Print Condition Plate is in perfect condition and has only been opened to take pictures. Signature Signed in plate, Signed in plate, Printed signature and edition details on Verso of the plate. Printed Signature on Custom Artist Box. Certificate of authenticity Included (issued by authorized authenticating body) Frame Not included Series Coalition For the Homeless...
Porcelain
Tall Decorative Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
Decorative pottery, mimicking barnacles. Surface has a nice texture and color.
Clay
$595
H 0.2 in Dm 8.25 in
Basquiat Estate Authorized Silkscreen on Porcelain Plate, Presentation Gift Box
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in New York, NY
Limoges x Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Authorized Porcelain Plate in Box, 2014 Porcelain Plate in Blue Presentation Box with Estate Logo This plate is in excellent condition and comes in an elegant blue gift box...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Screen
Decorative Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
Decorative pottery, mimicking barnacles. Surface has a nice texture and color.
Clay
Summer
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
"Summer" by CARRIER-BELLEUSE Albert-Ernest / 1824-1887 A bronze group with a nuanced dark brown patina signed "A. Carrier-Belleuse" inscribed on a front plaque "Eté par Carrier-Bel...
Bronze
The Vanquished
By Alfredo Pina 1
Located in PARIS, FR
The Vanquished by Alfredo PINA (1887-1966) A bronze sculpture with a dark brown patina signed on the base "A. Pina" old edition cast France circa 1925 height 29 cm width 20 cm d...
Bronze
Half-blood Horse, head raised
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Half-blood Horse, head raised by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze sculpture with a dark brown patina Signed on the base " Barye " Cast by " F. Barbedienne fondeur " (with th...
Bronze
Untitled (with rattle)
By Toshiko Takaezu
Located in Wilton, CT
glazed stoneware
Ceramic
Lion strucking a wildboar
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Lion strucking a wildboar by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze sculpture with dark brown patina Signed on the base with moulding " Barye " Posthumous cast probably by Graux-M...
Bronze
$524
H 2.17 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in
Vintage ~1940s Delft Royal Sphinx Petrus Regout of Maastricht Big Wall Plate
By Otto Eerelman
Located in Riga, LV
Vintage circa 1940s Delft Royal Sphinx Petrus Regout of Maastricht Big Wall Plate. A rare vintage collectible. Hand-painted by a Dutch artist. Plate diameter: 39.5 cm, height: 5.5 cm...
Porcelain
$1,350
H 19 in Dm 6 in
"Mid-Century Modern Red Vase" Burnished Red, Black Stripe, Ceramic
By Dante Baldelli
Located in Detroit, MI
The Mid-Century Modern red vase by Dante Baldelli is an elegant example of the work his studio could produce for the consumer to enhance the décor of th...
Ceramic, Glaze
Half-blood Horse, head raised
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Half-blood Horse, head raised by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base "Barye" Stamped "Barye" Numbered "25" A rare ...
Bronze
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