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.
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
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
$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
$24,498
H 23.23 in W 12.6 in D 9.85 in
Young woman with roses
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
Young woman with roses by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bust sculpted in white Carrara marble signed "A. Carrier" France circa 1860 total height 59 cm width 32 cm dep...
Marble
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
$3,266
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
$14,932
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
Winged Victory
Located in PARIS, FR
Sculpture in bronze with a nuanced greenish brown patina Signed " F. Sicard " on the base With the foundry stamp " Fumière et Cie Sucrs, Thiébaut Fres, Paris " Stands on its original green marble base With a dedication to the wellknown French chef Edouard Nignon : "A Mr Nignon, ses fournisseurs. En souvenir de son élévation au grade de Chevalier dans la Légion d'Honneur. Paris le 7 mai 1921" France cast around 1920 height 100 cm Biography : François-Léon Sicard (1862-1934), known as François Sicard, was a French sculptor. Originally from Tours, he obtained a municipal grant to study at the Fine arts Schoool in Paris. He learned sculpture there under the direction of Jules Cavelier and Louis-Ernest Barrias and became a laureate of the Prix de Rome in 1891. As a resident of the Villa Medici in Rome from 1892 to 1895, he befriended Adolphe Déchenaud who painted his portrait. His career earned him numerous public and private commissions and Sicard received various awards at fairs and exhibitions, including the medal of honor at the 1900 World's Fair and the medal of honor at the 1905 Salon. Having become a professor at the School of Fine Arts in Paris, François Sicard was elected member of the Institute in 1924 and president of the Fine arts Academy in 1930. He was the appointed sculptor of Georges Clemenceau, of whom he sculpted the bust, the group statue of Sainte-Hermine, and which commanded him the Minerva in blond Egyptian stone...
Bronze
$8,121Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.49 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
La Rieuse napolitaine
Located in PARIS, FR
La Rieuse napolitaine (The Laughing Neapolitan Woman) by Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX (1827-1875) Bust in terra cotta, in "Propriété Carpeaux" Signed on the side " JBte Carpeaux " Marked...
Terracotta
The Source
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
"The Source" by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Bronze sculpture with nuanced brown patina Raised on a beige marble base signed on the base "Carrier" France circa 1860 ...
Bronze
$26,254
H 14.49 in W 13.78 in D 5.52 in
Tartar warrior stopping his horse
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Tartar warrior stopping his horse by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) Bronze group with a nuanced greenish dark brown patina Signed "Barye" on the base Cast by "F. Barbedienne Fonde...
Bronze
$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
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
$11,432
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
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