Ray Camart (1908-1980) Antibes white & gold vase - 9¾"

A superb vase from the mid-to-late twentieth century signed Ray Camart (1908-1980), Antibes. Ray Camart, born Raymond Camart in 1908 in Le Havre, France, was a prominent ceramist known for his innovative and eclectic designs. Coming from a family of sculptors—his father Etienne and grandfather Guillaume—Camart was naturally inclined towards the arts. He began his career working in Paris, Annecy, and Nice, contributing to various projects including the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, where he designed monumental façades.

After World War II, Camart settled in Vallauris around 1945, a region famous for its pottery. There, he established a workshop and later expanded his operations by opening a manufacturing plant in Mougins. In the early 1950s, he moved to Antibes, where he set up a new studio and a unique exhibition space designed like a miniature village to display his creations. Camart was a regular participant at the annual ceramics fair in Paris. His work during the 1950s and 60s reflected a blend of practical and artistic elements, making everyday objects aesthetically pleasing.

His style evolved from what some might consider "kitsch" to more diverse and daring forms, embodying the mid-century modernist spirit. Despite the challenges faced by the ceramics industry in the 1960s, he continued to innovate and returned to working with stucco, contributing to notable projects like the Casino of Aix-les-Bains and various grand hotels in Paris.