Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.13633

Clément MASSIER, Splendid Japanese earthenware vase with fishes, circa 1900-1901

This very beautiful earthenware vase with a Japanese aquatic decor was made by the ceramicist Clément Massier circa 1900-1901, as indicates the signature under the base "MCM Golfe Juan AM".

Clément Massier (1844 -1917) was one of the represent and certainly the most known, of the Massier dynasty, famous ceramicists from Vallauris who participate to the renaissance of this art in the region during the 19th century. The pottery family tradition began with Pierre Massier (1707-1748) then with Jacques Massier (1806-1871) who gave to the workshop a new lease of life. Indeed, their factory, which was at first a simple workshop with an utilitarian vocation, stood out from the local production tanks to an innovative and artistic production. In Vallauris they introduced an art ceramic, notably thanks to the arrival of the Italian potter Gondolfi Gaetano in 1859, who initiated Delphin and his brother Clément (1844-1917) to numerous practices such as plaster molds and enamelled earthenware decoration techniques. The glory of the Massier family peaked at the turn of the century with Delphin and Clément and their cousin Jerome and son (1830-1916), son of Jerome (1820-1909).
When his father died, Clément was first associated with his brother Delphin Massier for at the end create his own factory in 1883 in Golfe-Juan, on the road joining Monaco, Nice and Cannes. This location allowed him to be in contact with the wealthy tourists and to benefit from the railway to send away his production. Clément Massier became a true entrepreneur by opening shops in his region, but also in Paris and in Germany. Many contests and exhibitions through the world will get him an international reputation and prestigious clients suche the Queen of England, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and many others…

The production of the different family members is differentiated by their signature, we usually find on Clément Massier's one the following signatures : "Clément MASSIER", "C. Massier" or "CM" accompanied from 1883 with the mentions "Golfe Juan" and "AM" for "Alpes Maritimes". Nevertheless, between 1900 and 1901, following the death of his wife and partner, Marie Clément Massier, before geting married called Marie Elisabeth Dewick (1853-1900), he signed some of his pieces with "MCM" in her memory, as it is the case on our vase, allowing us to date it very precisely.

Shaped as a baluster, our vase depicts a splendid and original decoration of marine background with metallic reflection. We find on it three gold fishes looking like Koi carps, swimming through the waterplants. Some of them are climbing thei way up to the neck of our vase where they take the colors blue or white and pop out in relief. The exceptionnal decor of this vase thanks to the originality of its technique, can not find comparision on the rest of the ceramicist production, which makes it a true rare piece.