Vintage Creamer by Jean Rivier (1915-2017) - Vallauris 4¼"

This charming creamer by Jean Rivier from the 1960s-70s exemplifies his signature style, highlighted by a earthy tones and abstract character motifs. Crafted in Vallauris, France, this piece echoes Rivier’s iconic designs that marked the era. The rustic glaze and textured surface add a unique touch, typical of his artistic expression, while retaining very good condition, symbolizing Rivier’s mastery in ceramics. Jean Rivier was a celebrated French ceramicist, emblematic of the 1950s Vallauris pottery movement. Born in Tunis in 1915, he moved to France as a child, initially training as a watchmaker-jeweler while composing poetry.

During the war, after being demobilized in 1949, he headed south to the maquis. At war's end, his military training in Aix-en-Provence led him to meet Emilie Decanis, through whom he discovered ceramics in 1946. Rivier later moved to the Caribbean to open a watchmaking jewelry business while continuing to write, with some of his works published by Les Cahiers du Sud. Vallauris, a historic pottery town on the French Riviera, has been celebrated for its ceramics since Roman times, thanks to its rich clay deposits and water resources. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it was known for durable, earth-toned kitchenware in browns, greens, and ochres, reflecting the region’s natural beauty.