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
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
$11,458
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 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
$12,277
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
Bust of Jules Dalou
By Auguste Rodin
Located in PARIS, FR
Bust of the sculptor Jules Dalou by Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) A stunning bronze bust with a nuanced dark brownish green patina presented on a fine Belgian black marble base Signed o...
Bronze
Cupid and Psyche
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Cupid and Psyche by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze group with nuanced brown patina signed on the base "Carrier-Belleuse" old edition cast France circa 1870 hei...
Bronze
$39,755
H 19.8 in W 9.5 in D 7.5 in
Small head of the Man with the broken nose
By Auguste Rodin
Located in PARIS, FR
Petite tête de l'Homme au nez cassé Small head of the Man with the broken nose by Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) Sketch for the Gates of Hell Variant with symmetric neck Bronze with blac...
Bronze
Grande Baroquial (Acropolis)
By Arman
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande Baroquial (Acropolis) by Armand FERNANDEZ known as ARMAN (1928-2005) Accumulation of cuts of miniature cellos, welded bronze, patinated gold, signed "Arman" numbered "71/100"...
Bronze
The Pardon
Located in PARIS, FR
The Pardon also known as The Return of the Prodigal Son by Ernest DUBOIS (1863-1931) A bronze group with a dark brown patina titled on the side of the base "Le Pardon" signed on the...
Bronze
Helen
Located in PARIS, FR
Helen by Auguste CLESINGER (1814-1883) Bronze sculpture with dual patina signed " J. Clésinger " on the base cast by " F. Barbedienne Fondeur " (with the foundry mark) stamped " Réd...
Bronze
$3,270
H 14.38 in W 6.7 in D 6.3 in
Busto Impero in Terracotta Ritratto di Bambina Virginie- Constance Lemercier
Located in Pistoia, IT
Busto in terracotta di Virginie-Constance Lemercier (1812-1875), circa 1818. Virginie-Constance Lemercier era la figlia di Louis-Jean-Népomucène Lemercier, poeta e drammaturgo fran...
Terracotta
$14,950
H 23.04 in W 11.42 in D 7.09 in
Bust of a Young woman wearing a tiara
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Bust of a Young woman wearing a tiara by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Sculpture in bronze with a nuanced dark brown patina signed on the shoulder "A. Carrier Belleuse"...
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