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)
Clement MASSIER (1857-1945) Majolica flower vase/column vase, France
By Clement Massier
Located in Berlin, DE
Clement MASSIER (1857-1945) Majolica flower vase/column vase, France Very decorative and of high quality. Marked: Clement Massier Unique running glaze. A guaranteed eye-catcher. A...
Majolica
19th Century French Oxblood Massier Cherub Jardiniere Pedestal
By Clement Massier
Located in Dallas, TX
A tall circa 1900 or earlier glazed redware ox blood Majolica jardinière and pedestal representing a winged Putti cherub with Art Nouv...
Ceramic
Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Jardinière
Located in New Orleans, LA
For the serious collector of Art Nouveau, a charming and unique antique French Art Nouveau majolica jardinière with lovely hand painted natural decoration, rolled scalloped edge and ...
Faience, Majolica, Pottery
Large French Majolica Palissy Jardiniere Circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Palissy jardinière with leaves and branches, circa 1880.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Large French Cast Iron Jardiniere
Located in High Point, NC
Large scale jardiniere, dating to circa 1890-1900. This jardiniere is of decorative cast iron construction. These were historically overpainted, but this one is without paint which...
Iron
19th Century Castiron Jardinière or Planter
Located in Brecht, BE
sublime grey and blue patina on this castiron jardinière or planter.
Iron
$6,397Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in Dm 18.9 in
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica Jardinière on Stand, Planter by Jerome Massier
By Jerome Massier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica jardinière on stand, planter by Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Ceramic
19th C Large French White Cast Iron Jardiniere
Located in Hastings, GB
Dove Grey large scale Jardiniere, dating to circa 1890-1900, deep and heavy, decorative cast iron construction, historically overpainted in an aged dove grey paint which has resulted...
Iron
$1,305
H 44.89 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Vintage French Turned Column Screw Plinth, Reminiscent of Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Hitchin, England
A French plinth with a turned column stem, reminiscent of Charles Dudouyt designs. The plinth form most probably dates from the early 20th Century with the turned screw column fro...
Wood
19th Century Bronze Jardiniere
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Bronze Jardiniere features a classic design inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, with a generous coupe that can hold your centerpiece design for all to appr...
Bronze
Majolica White Swan Jardinière Delphin Massier, circa 1890
By Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica white swan jardinière Delphin Massier Vallauris, circa 1890.
Majolica
$931Sale Price|43% Off
H 9.45 in W 27.17 in D 12.21 in
19th Century Planter Jardinière Antique Fountain Basin, SW France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French fountain basin can be used as a planter or jardinière This item also may have served of children bath tub Very old, the wood wor...
Wood
Rare Majolica Rooster Jardinière Delphin Massier, circa 1890
By Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica rooster jardinière signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. Country, Rustic style. Beautiful colors. Reference / A similar example of this piece page 93 "Barbotines de la Co...
Majolica, Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Chesnut Jardinière Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica chesnut handled jardinière signed Onnaing. This jardinière is inspired by the Art Nouveau and the Naturalism movement of the end of 19th century.
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Antique Clement Massier French Art Nouveau Majolica Griffin Jardiniere Stand
By Clement Massier
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally executed antique, circa 1900, French majolica figural jardinière stand by Clement Massier (French, 1844-1917). Hand-crafted in Golfe-Juan, Southern France, around the turn of the late 19th / early 20th, period Art Nouveau styling, sculptural tripartite pedestal form in a visually striking mottled blue / brown drip glaze, featuring three griffin dragon supports rising on paw feet, accented by stylized foliage, resting on conforming triangular plinth base. Signed; 'Clement Massier Golfe Juan' embossed on base. Impressed mark at base. Used as a outdoor jardinière...
Majolica
19th Century Jardinière and Pedestal by Clement Messier
By Clement Massier
Located in New York, NY
Stunning ceramic jardinière and pedestal by master French ceramist Clement Massier, circa 1880s-1890s. This example is in very good, original c...
Ceramic
Majolica Birds Well Clement Massier, circa 1890
By Clement Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Naturalistic Majolica birds well signed Clement Massier Golfe Juan ( A.M ), circa 1890.
Majolica, Ceramic
A Massive French TurquoisePottery Jardiniere by Clement Massier Golfe-Juan
By Clement Massier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A massive French turquoise drip-glaze pottery jardiniere; stamped 'Clement Massier Golfe-Juan'; the large portly body emanating 4 exaggerated dou...