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.
Wall-Mounted Coat Rack with Mirror by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in New York, NY
Vintage, sculptural wall-mounted coat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve and Marcel Asselbur. 4 black, ceramic hooks with gilded metal arms attached to m...
Mirror
Georges Jouve Black Ceramic Wall Mirror, Designed for Marcel Asselbur
By Marcel Asselbur, Georges Jouve
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie miroir en céramique noir par Georges Jouve pour les éditions Marcel Asselbur. Ses parents étaient tous deux décorateurs, et sa sœur aînée, née en 1908, sera céramiste sous l...
Brass
$8,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Wall mounted coat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paddington, NSW
Rare Coat Hanger Mirror by Georges Jouve, France, circa 1950 An exceptional and whimsical coat hanger mirror designed by renowned French ceramist Georges Jouve in the early 1950s. T...
Brass
$7,000 / set
H 78.88 in W 7.25 in D 2.5 in
Set of Seven Vintage "Gronda" Wall Mirrors / Coat Racks by Luciano Bertoncini
By Luciano Bertoncini, Elco
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of seven (four mirrors with coat racks have sold) modular "Gronda" coat rack/mirrors designed by Luciano Bertoncini and produced by Elco (ca. 1970s, Italy). Composed of rectangul...
Metal
$823 / item
H 78.75 in W 7.49 in D 2.37 in
Luciano Bertoncini, a Wall Mirror and Coat-Rack set of eight
By Elco, Luciano Bertoncini
Located in London, GB
Mirrored coat rack by Bertoncini. Italy c1970 8 individual pieces. ** Only the coat hook version available. There are no plain mirror available.
Mirror, Plastic
$6,276 / set
H 78.75 in W 70.87 in D 2.37 in
Italian Coat Rack Wall Mirror by Luciano Bertoncini for Elco, 1970s
By Luciano Bertoncini, Elco
Located in Nicolosi, IT
An iconic modular wall system designed by Luciano Bertoncini and produced by Elco in Italy circa 1970. Model “Gronda” is conceived as an architectural intervention rather than a sim...
Metal
Ceramic Italian Wall Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Italian ceramic mirror designed in the 1950s. Ceramic frame partially gold-platted. mirror about 36cm diameter.
Mirror, Ceramic
French 1950's Ceramic Mirror in the Style of Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully decorative oval shaped ceramic mirror with floral accents and figure at the top in sand toned glazed earthenware. This piece is reminiscent of the work of Georges Jouve.
Ceramic, Mirror
$1,195 / item
H 18.71 in W 22.64 in D 4.73 in
Schonbuch Pina Wall Mounted Coat Rack by Laurent Batisse
By Schönbuch
Located in New York, NY
Inspiring installation. PINA is a wall-mounted coat rack and an absolute eye-catcher. Designed by Laurent Batisse, it immediately calls to mind a series of dance steps with a strong, playful character. The coat hooks are made of powder-coated steel, as are the connecting arcs between them. Inspired by the forms of a skipping rope...
Steel
$4,466
H 1.19 in W 7.09 in D 10.63 in
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Les Argonautes, Modern Design, France, 1960s
By Les Argonautes
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by les Argonautes, France, 1960's Signed
Ceramic
20th century design purple wall ceramic mirror by Accolay 1960
By Accolay Pottery
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Accolay - France Handmade ceramic pottery wall mirror Realised in Accolay Circa 1960 Original perfect condition 20th century design purple ceramic wall mirror Height 30 cm lar...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Wall Mounted Mirror with Shelf and Drawer by Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted mirror unit produced by Dutch manufacturer Pastoe, commonly attributed to Cees Braakman. The piece combines a tall vertical wood backing panel with a full-length pivotin...
Brass
Ceramic wall mirror
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Wall ceramic mirror
Ceramic, Glass
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Les Argonautes, Modern Design, France, 1960s
By Les Argonautes
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic circular mirror by les Arognautes, signed, 1960's
Ceramic
Schonbuch Pina Wall Mounted Coat Rack by Laurent Batisse
By Schönbuch
Located in New York, NY
Inspiring installation. PINA is a wall-mounted coat rack and an absolute eye-catcher. Designed by Laurent Batisse, it immediately calls to mind a series of dance steps with a strong, playful character. The coat hooks are made of powder-coated steel, as are the connecting arcs between them. Inspired by the forms of a skipping rope...
Steel
Coat rack with mirror
Located in Porto, PT
Coat rack with mirror. Early 20th century Portuguese piece made of mahogany wood; decorated with plant motifs. Dimensions: 202x77x34 cm.
Wood
$4,883
H 11.03 in W 6.3 in D 0.79 in
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Les Argonautes, Modern Design, France, 1960s
By Les Argonautes
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by les Argonautes, circa 1960
Ceramic
$1,374
H 11.42 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
Stoneware Brown and Black Freeforms Ceramic Mirror by Prolongeau Design
By Jean-jeacques Prolongeau
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
JJ Prolongeau Original free forms stoneware ceramic wall mirror by the French artist Realized circa 1970, mid-20th century design Elegant brown and black ceramic colors T...
Ceramic
Sold
H 20.08 in W 21.26 in D 4.93 in
Ceramic Coat Rack Mirror by Georges Jouve for Marcel Asselbur , France, 1950s
By Georges Jouve
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This 1950s coat rack mirror, a collaboration between French ceramicist Georges Jouve and metalworking publisher Marcel Asselbur, masterfully captures the organic essence of mid-centu...
Ceramic, Glass
Sold
H 26 in W 16 in D 3.5 in
Georges Jouve Black Ceramic Coat Rack with Mirror in Brass Frame, circa 1955
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall-mounted coat or hat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve for Marcel Asselbur. Asselbur, France, 1955. Glazed matte black stoneware forms, mirrored glass, with a brass frame. It c...
Ceramic, Mirror
Georges Jouve Black Ceramic Coat Rack with Mirror in Brass Frame, circa 1955
By Georges Jouve
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall-mounted coat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve for Marcel Asselbur. Asselbur, France, 1955. Glazed matte black stoneware forms, mirrored glass, with a brass frame. Four abstract...
Brass
Georges Jouve Mirror
By Georges Jouve
Located in Paris, FR
Red enameled ceramic mirror.
Ceramic