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.
French Mid Century Ceramic Table Lamp by Georges Jouve Produced in France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare French mid century white ceramic / stoneware cylinder desk / table lamp by Georges Jouve produced in France, 1950s. In good original condition signed by the artist. Newer s...
Brass
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A purple-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use Dimensions of Shade (inches): 3” Top Diameter x 10” Bottom Diameter x...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue green-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use Dimensions of Shade (inches): 3” Top Diameter x 10.25” Bottom Dia...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
Dramatic patina on brass. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 10.15"H x 4.15"W x 4.15"D Dimensions of Shade (inches): 7.1" Top Diameter x 8.0" Bottom Di...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11.25"H x 4.15"D Dimensions of Shade (i...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A red-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use Dimensions of Shade (inches): 5.25” Top Diameter x 12.5” Bottom Diameter...
Ceramic
Lamp in the Manner of Jouve, France 1950's
By Georges Jouve
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic table lamp with a simple square stem ending in a rectangular base. France 1950s Base Only 10x3x2
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pink and purple-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use Dimensions of Shade (inches): 3” Top Diameter x 10” Bottom D...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black, green-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina brass with tarnish on one side. Wear consistent with age and moderate use. Dime...
Ceramic
$3,067
H 16.15 in W 7.09 in D 4.34 in
1950s French ceramic lamp with face decoration in the style of Georges Jouve
By Cloutier Freres, Georges Jouve
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
1950s French ceramic lamp with face decoration in the style of Georges Jouve A stoneware lamp, its lustrous black enamel recalls the work of Georges J...
Enamel
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue and grey-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 15.0"H x 6.0"D Dimensions of Sh...
Ceramic
$1,690Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 5.52 in
Mid-Century French Ceramic Table Lamp by Jacques Blin (circa 1950s)
By Jacques Blin
Located in London, GB
Mid-century ceramic table lamp (circa 1950s) by Jacques Blin. This beautifully rust-coloured French lamp (c. 1950s) with sgraffito-etched stylised birds is in very good overall condi...
Ceramic
French Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, Brass, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic and brass table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 9.625"H x 4.55"W x 4.55"D Dimensions of Shade (inches): 4.25" Top...
Brass
Georges Jouve Zoomorphic Lamp with White Crackled Glaze
By Georges Jouve
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Georges Jouve Zoomorphic Lamp with White Crackled Glaze. France c. 1948. Provenance: Gift from Georges Jouve to French ceramicist and sculptor, Robert Cloutier. Provenance document...
Ceramic
French Ceramic Table Lamp by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite ceramic table lamp by Georges Jouve in a metallic graphite-bronze matte finish, circa 1960. Socket and pull string have been added in ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 13.78 in W 0.4 in L 13.78 in
Lamp or Candlestick Ceramic "Bacchus" Georges Jouve, Sign Very Good State
By Georges Jouve
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lamp or candlestick ceramic "Bacchus" Georges Jouve. Sign Very good state Not electrified.
Ceramic
Pair of Ceramic Lamps
By Georges Jouve
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Pair of ceramic lamps, France, 1980 No shades.
Ceramic
Ceramic Lamp by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve, 1910-1964. Lamp "Cylindre" orange, small version Glazed ceramic Measures: H 24 x D 7.5 cm / 9 ½ x 3 in (without shade) Signed "Jouve" on the reverse, with Alpha la...
Ceramic
Georges Jouve Large Table Lamp
By Georges Jouve
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful and rare Jouve red ceramic table lamp. Underside incised with artist's mark and “Jouve/Made in France.” With silver plate over brass metal frame. Measures: 15.5 without sha...
1953 Bird Lamp by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve (1910-1964). Black ceramic bird lamp. Original shade. Height 27: cm. Signed Jouve + Alpha. Bibliography : Jousse Enterprise p. 234.
Georges Jouve, Lampstand "Eve à la pomme"
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Georges Jouve (1910 - 1964) Enamel Lampstand "Eve à la pomme" Polychrome enamel : deep blue and white. Signed at the bottom. Height : 37,2 cm/14.6 in., width : 17 cm/6.7 in., dep...
Enamel
Modernist Ceramic Lamp - Style Of Jean-Michel Frank
By Georges Jouve, Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Rochester, NY
A modernist white lightly textured matt glazed ceramic table lamp in the style of Jean Michel-Frank / Georges Jouve. Incise monogram signed at base by electric cord. We think it is F...
Metal