Clément Massier Cup chandelier, Golfe-Juan, 1890

Description

"Bronze Age. Clément Massier" Cup

Ceramic, iridescent luster glaze.
France, Clément Massier, Golfe-Juan, 1890s.
Dimensions: diameter 14,5 cm; height 7 cm.
Condition: excellent condition.
Signature under glaze: “Clément Massier Golfe Juan”.
Expert attribution (document available).

A small bowl with a slightly wavy rim, entirely enlivened by a glaze with shifting reflections. The surface transitions from golden bronze to shades of green and purple, creating an impression of depth and movement.

Materials and techniques
Metallic luster glaze ceramic. The firing process produces a complex iridescent surface, where the color is not deposited but forms within the glaze itself, interacting with the light.

Dating and historical context
Clément Massier is among the great French ceramists of Art Nouveau. In Golfe-Juan, in the 1890s, he developed highly sophisticated luster glazes, inspired by both oriental traditions and contemporary decorative research.

Artistic characteristics
The form remains deliberately simple, almost organic, to give full rein to the surface. The title "Age of Bronze" accurately reflects the dense, metallic tone of the palette, evoking an ancient, patinated, and living material.

State
Excellent condition, with no missing parts or restorations. The quality of the luster glaze is fully preserved.

Decorative presence and use
The bowl acts as a bright, changing point of light. Depending on the lighting, it reveals different reflections and animates the space with its colorful vibration.

Collectible value
The works of Clément Massier, created in Golfe-Juan in the 1890s, occupy an essential place in the history of Art Nouveau ceramics. Signed pieces, featuring a luster glaze of this quality, are particularly sought after for their technical mastery and visual impact.

 

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massier_(c%C3%A9ramistes)
http://www.vallauris-golfe-juan.fr/La-famille-Massier.html