'Cylindre' Vase, circa 1955

Georges Jouve’s ceramics illustrate experiments in glazes and form. In principle, the vases were made not to have anything put in them, as they were “full of life” however, the various shapes are certainly utilitarian, even as archetypal objects. For Jouve, the sculptural, cylindrical forms were “a form of self-expression, a desire for beauty.” The Cylindre vases were sold as early as 1955 at the Galerie Arcade before they were retailed by Steph Simon in 1960. They came in a palette of monotone matte glazes including, gunmetal black, bone white, lime green, vibrant yellow, and selenium red.