“le Murier” Workshop By Gustave And Micheline Reynaud Vallauris: Covered Pot With Anthropom Grip

Workshop "Le Murier" by Gustave and Micheline Reynaud Vallauris: covered pot with anthropomorphic handle

Covered pot, sugar bowl in glazed ceramic with gray background decorated with stylized polychrome foliage and flowers. Handle of the lid in the shape of a smiling character's head.
19 cm X 14 cm
Stamped "le Murier" under the heel
Very good condition

Gustave Reynaud (1915 - 1972) Micheline Reynaud Le Mûrier (1955-1982) "Couple of ceramists, founders of the Le Murier workshop in Vallauris. Under the advice of his brother-in-law, ceramist Jean Derval, Gustave Reynaud, who was looking for a professional path, decided to settle in Vallauris. In 1955, accompanied by his wife Micheline, he was tempted by the ceramic adventure which had been booming since the arrival of the painter turned potter, Picasso at Madoura in 1948. The couple founded their ceramic house-workshop 'Le Murier', in reference to the name of the neighborhood. Already well established in this village since 1946, Jean Derval initially helped Gustave and Micheline with glazing and graphic decoration. Later, the arrival of successive turners, including Jean-François Descombes, and decorators such as Michel Barbier and Jean Rivier allowed the workshop to create a production focused on tableware and interior decoration (lighting, coffee tables, etc.). This high-quality artisanal production is identifiable by its personalized style. Many young ceramists will spend time in the Murier workshop, such as Olivier Roy, who stayed there for a year and a half. Engraved or cast under enamel, the stylized decorations deal with floral or animal themes (most often with the bird) and abstract motifs for utilitarian and decorative ceramics. Inspired by the models of Jean Derval, knight pitchers and virgins and child take shape. The colors used are mainly copper red, cobalt blue most often on a creamy background. After the death of Gustave Reynaud in 1972, Micheline continued the utilitarian production until the closure of the workshop in 1982. Before 1972, the mulberry leaf was the signature of the workshop. Subsequently, the mentions of the stamp 'Le murier' and or Vallauris appear. » Text by Christine Lavenu corrected by Bénédicte Reynaud Lebleu, on the Art – Angelux website; thanks to them