Clément Massier, an accomplished ceramist born into a multi-generational family of potters working in Vallauris, France in the second half of the 19th century, transcended his family’s metier. Rather than creating utilitarian objects as a means unto themselves, he used the ceramic medium as an aesthetic platform to make art.
Among the many international awards earned during his lifetime, Massier was awarded a gold medal at the world’s fair, Exposition Universelle held in Paris in 1889. At the Exposition, it was Massier’s ceramic glazing techniques, using turquoise metallic luster, which captured the world’s attention.
Massier’s metallic luster glazes produce the dual properties of reflectivity and transparency to create iridescence. To achieve this, Massier fired his ceramics in a three-tiered process at increasingly lower temperatures. He applied the final glaze created from a metallic clay compound with a brush. When the blackened vessels had fully cooled, they were buffed until shiny to reveal his iridescent inspirations of nature. Each piece produced was a unique object revealing not only the hand of the artist but also the variable effects of temperature, natural elements and their interactive relationships. His glazes are illusory interpretations fused into fired earthenware. Conversely, the ceramic object’s solidity belies its ephemeral nature which constantly changes in light. This duality naturally inherent to this art medium is a theme that Massier echoes in his subject matter.
Find Clément Massier vases and other decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Galerie Fledermaus)
Thorny Iridescent Art Nouveau Vase
By Clement Massier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An encounter with Massier’s luster-glazed ceramics is an embarkation on an acid-colored trip, the sort of exploration which inspires deep reflection and requires transparency. Clemen...
Earthenware
Art Nouveau Spore Vase attributed to Sándor Apáti-Abt for Zsolnay
By Zsolnay
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Established in 1853 by Miklós Zsolnay, Zsolnay began as a small business producing basic stoneware and earthenware. Ten years later Miklós’ son, Vilmos, joined the company and led it...
Earthenware
Iridescent Art Nouveau Monumental Beetle Vase by Delphin Massier
By Delphin Massier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Earthenware
Iridescent Art Nouveau Leaves Vase by Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer for Clement Massier
By Clement Massier, Lucien Levy-Dhurmer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stamped Lucien Levy Dhurmer for Clement Massier. Literature: Coleman B., The Best of British Arts & Crafts, Atglen, 2004, p.213 Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs f...
Earthenware
Art Nouveau Asymmetrical Vase by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat
By Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Much fuss is made about Dalpayrat’s signature red, but what many have not realized is that “Dalpayrat Red” refers not simply to a vivid red color glaze but just as often to a nuanced appearance of color resulting from the artist’s technical expertise navigating a complex play of minerals and various firing temperatures. Mossy greens, amber and chestnut tones dance together over Dalpayrat’s blood red base. The result is just as surprisingly modern as the geometric planes forming this asymmetrical vase...
Stoneware
Art Nouveau Flower Vase by Ruben Rising for Rörstrand
By Rörstrand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Reuben Rising for Rörstrand. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel ser...
Porcelain
Turn-of-the-Century Art Nouveau Vase
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A lovely turn-of-the-century Austrian Art Nouveau vase with an iridescent glaze and naturalistic form. Vase is unsigned, but have several nu...
Ceramic
French Japonesque Art Nouveau Lusterware Vase Clement Massier
By Clement Massier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic vase with iridescent glaze in the shape of an elephant foot cache pot by the legendary French ceramist Pierre Clement Massier (1845-1917). Massier is widely considered as t...
Silver
Antique French Art Nouveau Flambé Stoneware Vase Grès de Rambervillers, c. 1910
Located in London, GB
Antique French Art Nouveau Flambé Stoneware Vase – Grès de Rambervillers, c. 1910 Creator / Studio: Société des Grès de Rambervillers (Vosges, France) Moveme...
Pottery
Montieres Art Nouveau Iridescent Ceramic Vase, Early 1900s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Montieres Art Nouveau iridescent ceramic vase. Early 1900s. Measures: 20 cm x 9 cm. Stamped. In perfect condition.
Art Nouveau Vase by Amphora
By Amphora
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Nouveau vase in blue and green enamelled porcelain, with gold details and handles with an elephant head design, made by AMPHORA. Signed crown seal, AMPH...
Porcelain
Bohemia Loetz Art Nouveau Twisted Dephi Glass Vase 1899
By Loetz Glass
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A large Loetz Delphi pattern vase in green with a bulbus near spherical top with a large opening over a round base with a typical Loetz twist to the body. Finely iridised a classic L...
Art Glass
