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 Ceramic Sculpture, French School, 1950s, Signed
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
$22,500
H 68.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Monumental Antique French Bronze Sculpture Statue Cupid & Marble Ormolu Pedestal
Located in Portland, OR
An incredible antique 19th century French bronze of Cupid seated on a gilt ormolu marble column, cupid shown feeding rose to a butterfly (L'Amour Prenant un Papillon) after Antoine-D...
Marble, Bronze
$3,800
H 31.5 in W 13 in D 16 in
Tall Antique French Academic Realism 19thC Bronze Roman Warrior Statue Sculpture
By Émile Louis Picault
Located in Portland, OR
A very handsome tall antique French patinated bronze statue of a Greco-Roman warrior, circa 1890, by Émile Louis Picault (1833–1915). This very dynamic bronze at almost three feet t...
Bronze
The Spring
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
The Spring by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Sculpture made in white Carrara marble signed on the base "A. Carrier " presented on its red marble base France circa 1860...
Marble
$55,146Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 7.49 in D 4.34 in
Tantric Couple Sculpture, Resin and Paint, French School, Circa 1930s
By Niki de Saint Phalle
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare and beautiful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle, certificate by Niki de Saint Phalle Foundation. Some small lacks of gilding on the wings of the bird. Signed and numbered at the...
Resin, Paint
$29,296
H 8.67 in W 18.12 in D 5.52 in
Wolf seizing a stag by the throat
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Wolf seizing a stag by the throat by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze group with a nuanced dark brown patina signed "Barye" on the base bears the number "23" A rare old edit...
Bronze
Reclining Doe
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Reclining Doe by Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875) Bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina signed "Barye" on the base old edition cast – probably from the Barye's workshop (...
Bronze
$27,573
H 13.19 in W 14.57 in D 6.7 in
Theseus slaying the Centaur Bienor
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Theseus slaying the Centaur Bienor by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze sculpture with a nuanced light brown patina Signed on the base "A-L. Barye" Old edition cast – from t...
Bronze
$6,500
H 28.75 in W 18 in
La Pensee Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
La Pensee, by Henri Michel Antoine Chapu (French, 1833 - 1891) Fine patinated bronze bas relief mounted to variegated rouge marble, depicting a seating woman. Cast H. Chapu on rig...
Bronze
Child asleep
By Émile Antoine Bourdelle
Located in PARIS, FR
"Child asleep" - Head by Antoine BOURDELLE (1861-1929) A black and dark brown patina bronze sculpture Signed on the side " E.A. Bourdelle " A very fine cast by " A.A. Hébrard " (wit...
Bronze
Small fawn Axis
By Rembrandt Bugatti
Located in PARIS, FR
Small fawn Axis by Rembrandt BUGATTI (1884-1916) A bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base "R.Bugatti" A lost wax cast by "A.A. Hébrard" (with founder s...
Bronze
$11,259
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
$25,849
H 13 in W 17.72 in D 7.68 in
Horse training with its stable lad
Located in PARIS, FR
Horse training with its stable lad by Arthur Marie Gabriel comte du Passage (1838-1909) A very fine bronze group with nuanced dark brown patina Signed on the base " Cte du Passage "...
Bronze
$8,616
H 17.33 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Carpeaux Jean-Baptiste (1827-1875)+ Terracotta Cast, Francine
Located in Gent, VOV
Created by Carpeaux, Francine is a terracotta bust. It is a private commission which Carpeaux accepted from rich citizens. This bust bears the number 1079 and is a lifetime cast. It...
Terracotta
Inkwell with Arabesques
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Inkwell with Arabesques by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) Rare bronze inkwell with dark brown patina signed on the side "Barye" old cast France around 1875-80 height 5 cm length...
Bronze
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
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