Jacques Pouchain Atelier Dieulefit Rare Gilt Ceramic Vase Mid Century French Ext For Sale

Rare and highly unusual sculptural ceramic vase by Jacques Pouchain (1927–2015), associated with his celebrated Atelier Dieulefit production in France.
This exceptional vessel is considerably more experimental in form than the conventional Pouchain vases most often encountered on the market.
The vase is constructed as a tall, irregular quadrangular vessel composed of overlapping and folded ceramic panels. The edges are deliberately serrated or “stitched”, creating the extraordinary illusion that the vessel has been assembled from cut sheets of fabric, leather or paper rather than ceramic.
The upper opening rises and falls dramatically into a crown-like, undulating rim. The serrated edge has been extensively highlighted in gold, as have the vertical panel joins, producing a striking contrast against the warm ivory/cream glazed body.
The result is an exceptionally sculptural object which changes appearance significantly depending upon the viewing angle.
The interior continues the complex folded-panel construction, demonstrating that the unusual seams and serrated elements are an intentional and integral part of the original design rather than later damage.
The cream glaze displays attractive natural craquelure/crazing throughout, adding further texture to the surface.
The underside retains a number of original workshop and production markings, including the characteristic impressed JP monogram associated with Jacques Pouchain, together with additional impressed marks and handwritten/workshop inventory numbers.
One handwritten number appears to read approximately “1015”, together with another small notation. These are retained exactly as found and have not been cleaned or altered.
Jacques Pouchain was one of the important figures in post-war French studio ceramics and established his own workshop at Dieulefit in the late 1950s. His ceramic work ranges from functional vessels to highly individual sculptural and anthropomorphic forms.
This particular vase is especially interesting because of its remarkable trompe-l’œil construction, extensive gilding and architectural form.
I have not located another identical example during my research, making this an intriguing opportunity for a collector of Pouchain, Dieulefit ceramics, French post-war design or European studio pottery.
Artist / Maker
Jacques Pouchain
Atelier Dieulefit, France
Period
Mid-20th century / probably circa 1960s–1970s
Material
Glazed ceramic / earthenware with gilt decoration.
Colour
Warm ivory / cream glaze with gold-highlighted edges and seams.
Marks
Impressed JP monogram.
Additional impressed workshop/production marks.
Handwritten/inventory notation including approximately “1015”.
Please study the detailed photographs of the underside, which form an important part of the description.
Condition
Good vintage condition overall with age-related surface wear.
There is visible fine craquelure/crazing to the glaze, together with some scattered marks and areas of rubbing or loss to the gilding consistent with age and handling.
The irregular serrated rim, folded edges and projecting “stitched” seams are intentional elements of the original ceramic construction and should not be mistaken for damage.
No major break is apparent in the photographs supplied, although buyers should examine all photographs carefully as these form part of the condition report.
The piece has deliberately not been aggressively cleaned, particularly around the underside markings, in order to preserve the surviving workshop marks and original surface.
Dimensions
Please add exact measurements:
Height: 30cm
Provenance
Private collection.
Further provenance information can be added if available.
Collector’s Note
The combination of Pouchain’s characteristic marking, sculptural folded construction, serrated ceramic “seams” and extensive gilding makes this a particularly distinctive example.
Suitable for an important collection of French studio ceramics, Mid-Century Modern design, Dieulefit pottery or 20th-century European decorative arts.
A rare opportunity to acquire an unusually experimental Jacques Pouchain vessel.
International buyers are welcome.
The vase will be exceptionally carefully packed for shipment because of the complex projecting rim and sculptural edges.