French Mid-Century Ceramic Vase by Atelier du Grand Chêne (circa 1950s) - Small

French vintage ceramic vase by Atelier du Grand Chêne (circa 1950s). Painted with the image of a woman whose body conforms to the contour of the piece on one side and, on the other, a tulip whose long stem mimics that of the woman's neck. The ceramic is small in stature but large in charm and, at the same time, possesses a low-key sophistication reflecting the talents of the ceramicists who were initially trained as painters in Paris. The piece is in very good overall condition notwithstanding an almost invisible chip where the body meets the base. Maker's mark on the underside. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request a video will be provided.

About the Artist: L'Atelier du Grand Chêne was founded in Vallauris, France in 1948 by Odette Roche-Gourju (1904-1954) and Ljuba Naumovitch (1898-1955). These two painters, trained notably at the Paris Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, turned out to be excellent potters after the war. They set up their pottery near a large oak tree - hence the name 'Le Grand Chêne'. There were never more than five employees including their son, Jacques Innocenti, who set up his own pottery in 1952. During the 1950s, they produced two distinct types of pottery: production runs of everyday objects decorated on a white background with animals, birds, flowers or women, and one-off pieces where the utilitarian dimension disappeared in favour of sculptural considerations. Their training as painters and their fondness for the work of De Chirico (1888-1978) are evident in plates, dishes and vases with metaphysical decoration. After the death of Odette and Ljuba in a tragic car accident in 1955 between Nice and Antibes, their son Jacques Innocenti took over Le Grand Chêne. Their maker's mark is a stylised oak tree drawn with a brush under the glaze. (Ref: La Céramique Française des Années 50, by Pierre Staudenmeyer). 

Dimensions:

H 15 cm / 5.9"

Dia 8 cm / 3.1"