Glazed ceramic vase by La Grange aux Potiers, René & Madeleine de Valence

Important glazed ceramic vase made in the 1950s by La Grange aux Potiers , a workshop founded by René (1910–1963) and Madeleine de Valence , singular figures in post-war French ceramics. Active from 1940 to 1993, the workshop developed a production that was both utilitarian and decorative, quickly moving away from traditional rural pottery by developing a modern and highly graphic approach.

Presented at the first Cannes International Ceramics Festival in 1955 alongside major ceramists such as Pol Chambost and Jacques Blin, René and Madeleine de Valence established a personal style based on balanced forms, rich glazes, and stylized, often engraved, decoration. After René's accidental death in 1963, Madeleine continued the workshop alone until 1993.

This vase, with its slender and architectural silhouette, is composed of a long, narrow neck surmounting a generous and balanced body. An incised decorative frieze surrounds the body with geometric motifs and vertical rhythms, typical of the workshop's decorative vocabulary.

The enamel, with its nuanced mineral texture, displays mottled shades of brown, grey, and sand, giving the piece a striking sculptural presence. The underside bears the stamp "Unique Piece" along with the workshop's monogram.

Features

• Era: 1950s

• Origin: France

• Style: Modernist ceramics, Vallauris, Mid-Century

• Creators: René & Madeleine de Valence – La Grange aux Potiers

• Material: Glazed ceramic

Dimensions

• Height: 33 cm (12.99 inches)

• Maximum width: 16 cm (6.30 inches)

• Neck diameter: 5.5 cm (2.17 inches)

• Base diameter: 10.5 cm (4.13 inches)

• Weight: 1830 g

State

Very good overall condition. Normal signs of use and firing, variations in enamel inherent to artisanal production from the 1950s. Small chips visible at the base (see photos).

Fast and careful international delivery.
Domestic shipping within France is free.

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