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.
$9,596
Scarce sconce by HO
By Georges Jouve
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare applique murale par HO, Céramiste malheureusement inconnu mais avec une grande qualité d’émail, ayant collaboré avec Jacques Adnet ou avec Bernard De Swarte.
Ceramic
Sconce by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sconces by Stilnovo. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Beautiful milk glass tulip sconces with a polished brass clasp that adheres to...
Opal, Brass
$1,850
H 5.52 in W 11.03 in D 3.55 in
Rare Mermaid Theme Glazed Ceramic Single Sconce by Livia Gorka - Hungary 1950's
By Georges Jouve, Livia Gorka
Located in New York, NY
Marine theme elegant terracotta wall sconce with a white and green glaze, featuring a mermaid at its center. A work by Hungarian ceramicist Livia Gorka from the 1950s. Two light arms...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Torcia Sconce by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian wall light with hand blown black Murano glass, mounted on polished brass metal finish frame / Designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy. 1 light / E26 or E27 ty...
Brass
Rare Sconces by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare sconces by Stilnovo. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. These sconces contain a flush brass wall mount that is connected to a circular horizontal holder that carries a top frosted opaline glass shade, with a supporting opaline glass plate on the bottom. These rare lamps are from an early industrial era of Stilnovo and were originally accredited as theatre lighting...
Brass
Tera Sconce by Ceramicah
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tera Sconce is Ceramicah’s signature wall sconce. Its compact size and clean proportions make it perfect for use in any space. The Unglazed Tera Sconce is fired without any glaze...
Ceramic
Unique Sconce by Diego M
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Amazing wall light with 2 arms in brass and off-white lacquered metal. Numbered and signed piece by the artist Diego M. Italy, 2022.
Metal, Brass
Rare Sconces by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare sconces by Stilnovo. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa the 1950s. Black enameled dishes with a clam-like design. The upper dish encompasses the lower, allowing for a gorg...
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Sconces by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Stilnovo sconces. Designed in Italy, circa the 1960s. All black enameled bow-tie wall lamps featuring a brass collar. Perforation on the upper half allows for a nice detail. Holds a single E27 socket type, adapted for the US. We recommend a single 40-60w max bulb or LED equivalent Authentic Stilnovo...
Brass, Aluminum
George Jouve style Pair of Ceramic Wall Sconces
By Georges Jouve
Located in Miami, FL
George Jouve style Pair of Ceramic Wall Sconces
Ceramic
Tera Sconce by Ceramicah
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tera Sconce is Ceramicah’s signature wall sconce. Its compact size and clean proportions make it perfect for use in any space. The Unglazed Tera Sconce is fired without any glaze...
Ceramic
Tera Sconce by Ceramicah
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tera Sconce is Ceramicah’s signature wall sconce. Its compact size and clean proportions make it perfect for use in any space. Once the ceramic pieces are fired, Lime Plaster is ...
Ceramic
Trunk Sconce by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian wall light with smoky brown Murano glass hand blown into cylinder shaped diffuser with textured patterns, mounted on full brass back-plate / designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fab...
Brass
Pair of ceramic wallights, Model Sirenes, by Georges Jouve.(1910-1964)
By Georges Jouve
Located in London, GB
Pair of well sized, rare, ceramic wallights, Model 'Sirenes' by the master ceramicist Georges Jouve.Published on page 204 in Georges Jouve by Jousse enterprises. France 1948 Georges ...
Ceramic
'Palme' Sconces by Georges Jouve for Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three 'Palme' sconces by Georges Jouve. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1950s. Organic and anatomical sandstone forms make up these striking sconces. A steel structure beh...
Sandstone, Steel
Georges Jouve & Marcel Asselbur, Wall Sconces with Pots, France, circa 1955
By Marcel Asselbur, Georges Jouve
Located in New York, NY
Each of these charming mid-century wall sconces by French designer George Jouve possesses an elegant, fabric shade, and in as a faint, playful echo, an enameled ceramic planter. One...
Ceramic
Pair of stoneware wall lights by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of "Palme" stoneware wall lights by ceramist Georges Jouve for Jouve France in the 1960s. The molding was made from a real palm leaf. A steel structure is hidden behind the ston...
Stoneware
Sold
H 13.01 in W 13.01 in D 13.76 in
Paire d'appliques en céramique de Georges Jouve Edition Marcel Asselbur
By Marcel Asselbur, Georges Jouve
Located in PAU, FR
Georges Jouve pair of wall lights Editor Marcel Asselbur circa 1950s Ceramic, brass and iron and glass Including lamp shades in glass
Ceramic
'Palme' Sconces by Georges Jouve for Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Palme' sconces by Georges Jouve. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1950s. Organic and anatomical sandstone forms make up these striking sconces. A steel structure behind th...
Sandstone, Steel
Georges Jouve French Ceramic Palme Wall Scones
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Palme wall sconces designed by Georges Jouve, edited by Jouve France in the 1960s. These tiles were manufactured shortly after the death of George Jouve i...
Ceramic
Ceramic ‘Palme’ sconces by Jouve France, 1960s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Palme wall lamps designed by George Jouve, edited by Jouve France in the 1960s. These tiles were manufactured shortly after the death of George Jouve in h...
Brass
'Palme’ Sconces by Georges Jouve for Jouve France
By Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two 'Palme' sconces by Georges Jouve. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1950s. Organic and anatomical sandstone forms make up this striking sconce. A steel structure behind ...
Sandstone, Steel
Sold
H 15 in W 9.5 in D 4.5 in
Original Vintage Georges Jouve & Mathieu Matégot Wall Light for Maison Asselbur
By Mathieu Matégot, Georges Jouve
Located in North Miami, FL
Collaboration of Maison Asselbur and famed ceramic artist, Georges Jouve (1910-1964) with Mathieu Mategot mesh shade. This French modernist wall sconce...
Crystal, Brass
Georges Jouve Sconce
By Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wall sconce by Georges Jouve. Asselbur. France, c. 1950. Glazed earthenware, enameled steel, brass, linen. Provenance: Private Collection, New...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Sconces by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of sconces by Georges Jouve. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1950s. Ceramic, metal. Rewired for U.S. standards. We recommend one E12 25w maximum bulb per sconce.
Metal