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.
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Pair of Matelots Ceramic Wall Lights, Mid-20th Century, French
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of “Matelots” wall lights by French ceramist Georges Jouve measuring 32 x 20 x 10 cm
Ceramic
Pichet Dit Chouette Ceramic Sculpture, French School, 1950s, Signed
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Georges JOUVE (1910-1964) Earthenware zoomorphic pitcher, decorated with black and gray plumage on a white ground, black metallic interior, opening border animated by a green fillet....
Ceramic
$1,000
H 3.25 in W 4 in D 1 in
Daniel Arsham Pokemon Pikachu Sculpture Crystallized Rare Contemporary Urban Art
By Daniel Arsham
Located in Draper, UT
Never opened at all and still sealed in Original Packaging. An absolutely iconic piece from Daniel Arsham and a must have for any Pokemon Fan! Daniel Arsham Pokemon Perrotin Pika...
Ceramic, Plaster
$22,500
H 68.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Monumental Antique French Bronze Sculpture Statue Cupid & Marble Ormolu Pedestal
Located in Portland, OR
An incredible antique 19th century French bronze of Cupid seated on a gilt ormolu marble column, cupid shown feeding rose to a butterfly (L'Amour Prenant un Papillon) after Antoine-D...
Marble, Bronze
$475
H 11.5 in W 11.5 in
Castelli Maiolica Plaque with Medieval Castle Village Italy Mediterranean Trees
Located in Austin, TX
Ceramic Plaque: 11.5 x 11.5 inches Solid Wood Frame: 15.5 x 15.5 inches An exquisite Castelli Maiolica plaque, featuring a richly detailed scene of the Italian Renaissance. The cera...
Ceramic, Wood
The Kiss
By Alfredo Pina 1
Located in PARIS, FR
The Kiss by Alfred PINA (1887-1966) Bronze group with a brownish dark green patina signed on the base "A. Pina" cast by "A. Valsuani" (foundry stamp) France circa 1927 height 51,5...
Bronze
Pablo Picasso, Cavalier et cheval (A.R. 137), Ceramic
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Madrid, ES
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) "Cavalier et cheval" (A.R. 137) stamped, marked and numbered "Edition Picasso / Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso / 274/...
Ceramic
The Spring
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
The Spring by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Sculpture made in white Carrara marble signed on the base "A. Carrier " presented on its red marble base France circa 1860...
Marble
$43,371
H 15.36 in W 12.8 in
Hibou Brillant (A.R. 285), Ceramic Stamped 'Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso'
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Madrid, ES
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Hibou brillant (A.R. 285) stamped 'Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso' (underneath) white earthenware ceramic plate, partiall...
Ceramic
$29,675
H 8.86 in W 7.29 in D 8.86 in
Pichet aux Oiseaux (AR 456), Ceramic Stamped 'Madoura Plein Feu/Edition Picasso'
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Madrid, ES
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Pichet aux oiseaux (A.R. 456) stamped, marked and numbered 'Edition Picasso / Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso / 124/200 / Madoura' (underneath) white ea...
Ceramic
Pablo Picasso, Pichet espagnol (A.R. 245), Ceramic
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Madrid, ES
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) "Pichet espagnol" (A.R. 245) stamped, marked and numbered "Edition Picasso / Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso / 62/200 / Madoura" (underneath) ceramic Le...
Ceramic
$54,785Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 7.49 in D 4.34 in
Tantric Couple Sculpture, Resin and Paint, French School, Circa 1930s
By Niki de Saint Phalle
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare and beautiful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle, certificate by Niki de Saint Phalle Foundation. Some small lacks of gilding on the wings of the bird. Signed and numbered at the...
Resin, Paint
$20,544
H 12.41 in W 15.36 in
Corrida Sur Fond Noir (AR 198), Ceramic Stamped Madoura Plein Feu/Edition Picasso
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Madrid, ES
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Corrida Sur Fond Noir (A.R. 198) dated '25.9.53.' (upper centre); stamped 'Madoura Plein Feu / Edition Picasso' (undern...
Ceramic
$450
H 11.5 in Dm 10 in
Earthenware Vessel with Animal Skin. Believed to be Tarahumara (Northern Mexico)
Located in Chesterfield, MI
This Earthenware Vessel is believed to be Tarahumara (from Northern Mexico). The artist and date of creation is unknown. It measures approximately 11.5 x 10 inches. Dried animal hide...
Earthenware
$1,250
H 6.5 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
'Mammoth' by ArmanH; Sculpture in Clay, Bronze and Ivory, 2023
By Arman Hambardzumyan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 6.5" x 7" x 3.5" sculpture was created by Yerevan, Armenia-based artist ArmanH in 2023. A mixed media sculpture, the mammoth is made of clay, bronze, stone and ivory. The sculpt...
Stone, Bronze
$29,104
H 8.67 in W 18.12 in D 5.52 in
Wolf seizing a stag by the throat
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Wolf seizing a stag by the throat by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A bronze group with a nuanced dark brown patina signed "Barye" on the base bears the number "23" A rare old edit...
Bronze
The Three Graces
Located in PARIS, FR
The Three Graces by Alfred JANNIOT (1889-1969) A bronze group with a nuanced brownish green patina Signed on the side of the base "A. Janniot" Cast by "Susse fondeur Paris" (inscrib...
Bronze
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Patte d'ours et Pied fumeur Matthieu Mategot
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Bear paws in glazed and cracked ceramic PIED FUMEUR BY MATHIEU MATEGOT Lacquered metal and rattan base 7 x 18 x 18 cm (Paw) 55 x 32 x 30 cm (Smoking Foot) 63 x 32 cm (Set)
Metal
Vide poche soleil
By Georges Jouve
Located in PARIS, FR
Glazed ceramic, signed on back, made in Aix en Provence, where the artist studied
Ceramic