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 Black Glazed Coupe, Mid-Century Ceramic, France, 1955
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 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
Beautiful figurative pitcher by Georges Jouve, signed
By Georges Jouve
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie pichet par Georges Jouve à décor figuratif et polychrome. Ce pichet reprends le corpus iconographique de georges Jouve. Ce pichet possède un très beau craquelé. Ses parents...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Ceramic vide poches "Feuille de chêne", 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve's Ceramic cup or vide-poches " Feuille " signed with apollon mark on back Red/brown cracked enamel Measures: 18 cm x 11 cm.
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
Signed Georges Jouve Ceramic Centerpiece, France, circa 1950
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Signed ceramic centerpiece by Georges Jouve, made in France around 1950. The low circular body and expressive hand-shaped surface capture the sculptural quality of Jouve’s postwar ce...
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 Snail Form Ceramic Plate, Framed, Vintage 1950s Art
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
$19,881Sale 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 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
Ceramic Pitcher by Georges Jouve, France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic pitcher by Georges Jouve, France, 1950s.
Ceramic
Georges Jouve "Bravo Toro" Ceramic Plate, Framed, Vintage 1950s Art
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve (1910-1964) Decorative Ceramic plate/tile " Bravo Toro " 1950's Signed JOUVE on back (engraved) New Oak frame Ceramic Measures : 25 cm x 25 cm. (Framed 41 x 41 cm)
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
Decorative Ceramic Vide-Poche by Pol Chambost, circa 1950s
By Pol Chambost
Located in London, GB
Decorative ceramic vide-poche by Pol Chambost (circa 1950s). Small yet elegant seashell-shaped form with white base and dark, grape-purple outline and lip. Outside of the centre, the...
Ceramic
$404
H 0.99 in W 10.04 in D 3.71 in
Decorative Handmade Organic Studio Pottery Glazed Ceramic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful handmade ceramic dish or vide-poche by unknown studio potter / maker with an organic oval form and hand painted glaze of cream and dark grey / blue color (color). Would be perfect for serving nuts or other little bar snacks...
Ceramic, Pottery
Isak Isaksson Pink Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
By Isak Isaksson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pink vase with a lovely crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 11.5 cm (4.6") tall and about 10 cm (4") wide and it is in excellent condition. This is a...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Georges Jouve and Mathieu Matégot Style Ceramic Standing Vide-Poche
By Georges Jouve, Mathieu Matégot
Located in North Miami, FL
Sculptural green and black ceramic catchall likely designed by Matégot and Georges Jouve. Iron frame with circular base, zig zag body and circular top. Green and black glazed ceramic...
Metal
Georges Jouve and Mathieu Matégot Style Ceramic Standing Ashtray
By Mathieu Matégot, Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural catchall in the style of Matégot and Georges Jouve. Iron frame with circular base and circular top. Yellow and green ceramic dish sits in...
Iron
Ceramic vide-poche "Figue" by Georges Jouve, France, 1950's
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Blue ceramic vide-poche by Georges Jouve, signed
Ceramic
Isak Isaksson Green Ceramic Vase - Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
By Isak Isaksson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 10 cm (4") high and about 11 cm (4.4") in diameter and it is in excellent condition. This is a ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Jean Lurcat Ceramic Plate, c1955, France
By Jean Lurçat
Located in London, GB
Jean Lurçat 1892-1966 Plate - Red & White – White Siren c1955 Inscribed ''Dessin J. Lurçat Sant Vicens. verso Hand-painted glazed ceramic 25 cm diameter
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Bowl, Hand-Crafted, Glazed, USA, 1960s
By Vallauris
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century American Studio Pottery Oval Bowl, Signed Woodstock, NY, Abstract Glazed Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Bowl, Hand-Crafted, Glazed, USA, 1960s A compelling mid-cent...
Ceramic
$636Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.25 in W 8 in D 7.75 in
1950s French Biomorphic Volcanic Stoneware Bowl Ashtray Vallarius Picasso Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An organic form with volcanic lava black and white glaze and a high-gloss red center.
Ceramic
Victorian George Jones Majolica Rustic Blossom Pitcher
By George Jones
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
George Jones Majolica jug/pitcher which features pink and white blossom (hawthorn or mayflower), and green leaves on brown, bark effect ground and a rustic branch...
Majolica
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Artist Coupe Titled Banane, c1955.
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Georges Jouve c1910 - 1964 French ceramic artist coupe titled Banane, c1955. Signed with Jouve cypher. Grat crackle of the glaze. Signs of use. Wonderful green color. with excellent ...
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