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
$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
$2,295
H 9.5 in W 9.5 in D 7 in
Antique 19th Century French Bonze Animalier Brown Bear Statue Sculpture Paris
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique bronze sculpture of a brown bear by the celebrated French Animalier sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye, circa 1870. The bronze depicts a brown bear in a dynamic pose, head h...
Marble, Bronze
Theseus slaying the Minotaur
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Theseus slaying the Minotaur by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A rare bronze group with a nuanced greenish dark brown patina Signed "Barye" on the base Cast by "F. Barbedienne Fon...
Bronze
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
$16,082
H 38.59 in W 12.6 in
The Hunt Large Bronze Sculpture Ferdinand Barbedienne Fondeur Napoleon III
By Louis Ernest Barrias
Located in Pistoia, IT
Louis-Ernest Barrias (1841-1905) "The Hunt. Impressive bronze sculpture with brown patina, 98 cm tall. Signature "E. Barrias" on the rock; "F. Barbedienne fondeur Paris" and mechanic...
Bronze
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
$6,671
H 11.62 in W 5.52 in D 15.36 in
P.J. Mene 1846, Bronze cast+ Djinn, Arabian Stallion
Located in Gent, VOV
Djinn, Arabian stallion 1846 A French bronze horse with a dark patina with brown undertones entitled 'Djinn étalon arabe' cast from the model by Pierre-Jules Mène (1810-1879), secon...
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 nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base "Barye" Stamped "Barye" Numbered "25" A rare ...
Bronze
$11,674
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
$17,631
H 24.02 in W 12.6 in D 11.03 in
Young woman wearing a comb
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Bust of a Young woman wearing a comb by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bust sculpted in white Carrara marble signed on the shoulder "A. Carrier Belleuse" reposing on an ...
Marble
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