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.
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Artist Black Coupe
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Georges Jouve c1910 - 1964 French ceramic artist black glazed coupe vide poche or dish. Signed with Jouve cypher. Excellent condition, no ships or restorations. One of the most defin...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve and Marcel Asselbur Ceramic and Brass Wall Mounted Hat Coat Rack
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall-mounted coat or hat rack by Georges Jouve, produced by Marcel Asselbur, France, circa 1950. Glazed matte black stoneware forms, with a brass frame. Four abstract Jouve ceramic...
Brass
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Artist Dish Leaf Motif
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Georges Jouve French ceramic artist small leaf dish.Black glaze with multi color hand carved glazed motif of leaf in the interior. Signed with Jouve cyph...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve "Snail form" Ceramic Plate, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve (1910-1964) Decorative Ceramic plate "Snail form or free form " 1950's Signed JOUVE on back (engraved) New Oak frame Ceramic Measures : 25 cm x 25 cm. (Framed 41 x 41 cm)
Ceramic
Ceramic Pitcher by Georges Jouve, France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic pitcher by Georges Jouve, France, 1950s.
Ceramic
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Artist White Ceramic Cylinder Vase
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Georges Jouve cylindriacl white glazed vase France c 1950"s. Matte white exterior exhibiting the most desirable subtle texture with a shiny turquoise and dark green interior glazes....
Ceramic
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Polychrome Dish
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
French ceramic by Georges Jouve, polychrome decoration on white background. Signed with cypher and name. Excellent condition, no chips or restorations.
Ceramic
20th Century Georges Jouve Ceramic Centerpiece, France, 1950's
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
French 20th century vintage circular rare collector's ceramic dish or centerpiece by Georges Jouve of exceptional craftsmanship. Signed at the base. France, Circa 1950's. ----- We...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Ceramic Dish, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve's Ceramic cup or vide-poches "La Figue" signed with apollon mark Measures: 15 x 15 cm.
Ceramic
$20,300Sale Price|20% Off
Ceramic plate by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic plate by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Ceramic "Apple" Dish, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve's Ceramic cup or vide-poches " La pomme " signed Jouve & apollon mark on back in deep enamel. White cracked enamel with a turquoise/green/pink apple Measures: 17 cm ...
Ceramic
Vintage French Ceramic Dish
Located in High Point, NC
This vintage ceramic decoration offers an attractive accent. Made in France in the 20th century, the flowing curves of the scalloped edges create an attractive form, reminiscent of a...
Ceramic
$377 / set
H 3.9 in W 2.1 in D 3.3 in
Contemporary Organic Modern Moroccan Handmade Terracotta Ceramic Coat Racks
Located in Marseille, FR
- Handbuilt ceramic coat hook - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by the potter Houda. - co...
Clay, Earthenware
Large Georges Jouve Style Black Matte Cylinder Vase, France, c. 1950's
By Georges Jouve
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rich Matte Black Glaze, minimal perfect black.
Ceramic
$2,360
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 4.73 in
1950s by Gilbert Portanier Vallauris France Glazed Ceramic Vase
By Gilbert Portanier
Located in Brescia, IT
Glazed ceramic Excellent condition. "Portanier" signed.
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Boston Terrier and Panda
Located in Hanover, MA
Delightful large-scale ceramic figures of a nearly life-size black and white glazed Boston Terrier and a Panda bear. Marked with numbers and Made in Italy. Attributed to Eugenio Patt...
French Majolica Jugendstil Art Nouveau Ceramic Plate, circa 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful French Majolica wall plate from the Jugendstil / Art Nouveau period (ca 1900). Elegant design with a lovely lady in the middle. Nu...
Ceramic
$825
H 8.94 in W 8.94 in D 1.11 in
Modernist West German Ceramic Wall Plate Object by Helmut Schäffenacker, 1960s
By Helmut Friedrich Schäffenacker
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Ceramic wall plate Decade: 1960s Producer: Atelier Schäffenacker, Ulm Germany Design: Helmut Schäffenacker This original vintage ceramic wall plate...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Ceramic "Apple" Dish, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve's Ceramic cup or vide-poches " La pomme " signed Jouve & apollon mark on back in deep enamel. White cracked enamel with a turquoise/green/pink apple Measures: 17 cm ...
Ceramic
Small Ceramic Dish by Jean de Lespinasse, France, 1950s
By Jean De Lespinasse
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Charming small ceramic dish by Jean de Lespinasse, a notable figure in 20th-century French ceramics. This piece features a beautiful hand-painted design in shades of blue, black, and...
Ceramic
Fish-shaped ceramic dish, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A decorative ceramic dish depicting a stylized fish, typical of 1970s design. Its expressive shape and detailed reliefs, mimicking the fish's scales, fins, and lines, give it a graph...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Vase
Located in New York, NY
Georges Jouve (1910–1964) was a highly influential French ceramicist known for redefining postwar ceramic design through bold forms and luminous glazes. Trained at the École des Beau...
Ceramic
$424
H 14.97 in W 12.21 in D 0.79 in
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Verviers, BE
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany Was produced in the 1960's handmade, and made in Germany. Very collectible.
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Ashtray
By Georges Jouve
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie céramique par Georges Jouve.
Ceramic
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Artist Black Coupe Vide Poche Small
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Georges Jouve c1910 - 1964 French ceramic artist black glazed coupe vide poche or dish. Signed with Jouve cypher. Excellent condition, no ships or restorations. One of the most defin...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve France Black Ceramic Dish Masterpiece
By Georges Jouve
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. He was born in 1910 in Fontenay-sous-Bois and his parents were both decorators. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the pr...
Ceramic
Sold
H 7.49 in W 5.91 in D 4.34 in
Georges Jouve Yellow Mid Century Ceramic Pitcher Produced in France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare mid century ceramic pitcher in a faded yellow glaze by Georges Jouve produced in France 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 19 cm / 7.5" W: 15 cm / 5.9" cm D: 11 ...
Ceramic
Fig Ceramic Dish Georges Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. He was born in 1910 in Fontenay-sous-Bois and his parents were both decorators. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the pr...
Ceramic
Bunch of grapes large format Ceramic Dish Georges Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. He was born in 1910 in Fontenay-sous-Bois and his parents were both decorators. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the pr...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve "Mermaid" Ceramic Plate, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve (1910-1964) Decorative Ceramic plate "La sirène" or "Mermaid" 1950's Signed JOUVE on back (engraved) New Oak frame Ceramic Measures : 25 cm x 25 cm. (Framed 41 x 41 cm)
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.76 in W 7.29 in D 7.49 in
French Mid Century Red Ceramic "Bear Hand" Ashtray Bowl by Georges Jouve, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century ceramic "Bear Hand" ashtray / bowl in warm red glaze by Georges Jouve produced in France, 1950s. In good original condition and signed with the iconic "alpha". ...
Ceramic
Black Ceramic Ashtray Georges Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. He was born in 1910 in Fontenay-sous-Bois and his parents were both decorators. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the pr...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.37 in W 3.75 in D 3.55 in
Rare Mid Century White Ceramic Cup by Georges Jouve Produced in France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century ceramic bowl / cup in white, red and black glaze by Georges Jouve produced in France, 1950s. In good original condition. Signed "Jouve" with the iconic alpha. ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 20 in W 4.5 in D 18 in
Georges Jouve and Marcel Asselbur Ceramic and Brass Wall Mounted Hat Coat Rack
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall-mounted coat or hat rack by Georges Jouve, produced by Marcel Asselbur, France, circa 1950. Black matte glazed ceramic with brass frame. Excellent condition with no chips or re...
Brass
Sold
H 25.75 in W 11.5 in D 10.88 in
Rare Georges Jouve + Mathieu Mategot 'Patte D'Ours' Ashtray in White
By Mathieu Matégot, Georges Jouve
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Georges Jouve 'Patte d’Ours' ashtray in rare crackled white glaze on a Mathieu Matégot black lacquered metal and woven rattan stand. France c. 1951. Und...
Metal