Jérôme Massier, “tulip” Planters

Jérôme MASSIER (1830–1916)

MANUFACTURE JÉRÔME MASSIER FILS, VALLAURIS
“Tulip” plant pot

Polychrome glazed earthenware, oval sunken mark “Jérôme Massier” on the base.

Vallauris, circa 1900–1910

Dimensions:
H 34 x W 37 x D 28 cm

Naturalistic-style planter depicting a blooming tulip. The body consists of upright petals with cut-out contours and modeled in relief, coated with an enamel in shades of almond green, water green, and pale yellow.

The body rests on a circular base concealed beneath a composition of large, veined leaves rendered in relief. Two curved side leaves form handles integrated into the object’s structure. The piece as a whole features a particularly sculptural form, characteristic of the naturalistic works produced in Vallauris at the turn of the 20th century.

Beneath the base is the recessed oval stamp of the Jérôme MASSIER factory, attesting to its Vallauris origin.

This model belongs to the Art Nouveau production of the Jérôme MASSIER manufactory, one of the most important dynasties of ceramicists in Vallauris. Beginning in the 1890s, Jérôme MASSIER developed a repertoire directly inspired by the plant and animal worlds, in perfect harmony with the aesthetic explorations of Art Nouveau.

The work illustrates this fascination with living nature: the planters’ utilitarian function takes a back seat to an almost organic conception of the object, whose silhouette evokes a blossoming flower. The piece also attests to the technical mastery of the MASSIER workshops in the use of colored glazes and complex molded forms.

Jérôme MASSIER’s naturalistic creations are among the most sought-after works of French ceramics from the Belle Époque. They contributed to Vallauris’s international renown during the major exhibitions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Bibliography:

Pierre Faveton, Les Massier, céramistes à Vallauris, Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 1994;

Alastair Duncan, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Ceramics, Thames & Hudson, London, 1998;

Marion Garmier, Vallauris, terres de création, Silvana Editoriale, 2013.

DIANE CHATELET - IMPOSSIBLE GALLERY
General Antique Dealer
Expert in Furniture and Works of Art with the European Chamber of Art Experts (CECOA)

FREE APPRAISALS - BUYING - SELLING