Vide poche - Vallauris, Scuola Francese (XX Sec.) - RARA Sculptural Bowl with Metallic Iridescent Sheen - Designed by Delphin Massier

03
days
10
hours
30
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08
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Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Elena Napoleone
Expert
Selected by Elena Napoleone

Holds a bachelor's degree in history of art and architecture, with 12 years of experience in decorative arts.

Estimate  € 100 - € 140
FR
€1

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Terracotta decorative sculpture bowl by Delphin Massier of Vallauris, circa 1900–1910, with iridescent metallic lustre glaze; dimensions 100 mm wide, 50 mm high, 100 mm deep, in good condition with signs of age.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Extraordinary work of great collectible significance: a sculptural bowl / snuff bowl with a fluid and organic design, created by the renowned French ceramist Delphin MASSIER (1836–1907) in Vallauris (France).

The piece is executed in the iconic and renowned technique of iridescent metallic luster glaze (reflets métalliques / metallic luster glaze). The dark, deep finish ranges between gunmetal tones, titanium black, and splendid iridescent bronze-bronze reflections that change with the angle of light. Soft forms, natural shell-like folds, and the customary Art Nouveau / Proto-modernist sculptural mastery make this piece a true decorative art sculpture.

The folded and asymmetric shape surprisingly anticipates the organic design of the 20th century, making it perfect both in historic settings and in modern and contemporary interiors.
Origin: Vallauris, French Riviera, France
Era: Art Nouveau / Fin de Siècle period (circa 1895–1905)
Technique: Terracotta/maiolica with iridescent reactive metallic luster glaze
Conditions: Vintage, shows signs of age that emphasize its antiquity - see photos in the gallery

Seller's Story

Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects. Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep: • A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco. We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths. • Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design. • We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves. • Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally. This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector. • Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction. • Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood. We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost. Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust. Happy bidding!
Translated by Google Translate

Extraordinary work of great collectible significance: a sculptural bowl / snuff bowl with a fluid and organic design, created by the renowned French ceramist Delphin MASSIER (1836–1907) in Vallauris (France).

The piece is executed in the iconic and renowned technique of iridescent metallic luster glaze (reflets métalliques / metallic luster glaze). The dark, deep finish ranges between gunmetal tones, titanium black, and splendid iridescent bronze-bronze reflections that change with the angle of light. Soft forms, natural shell-like folds, and the customary Art Nouveau / Proto-modernist sculptural mastery make this piece a true decorative art sculpture.

The folded and asymmetric shape surprisingly anticipates the organic design of the 20th century, making it perfect both in historic settings and in modern and contemporary interiors.
Origin: Vallauris, French Riviera, France
Era: Art Nouveau / Fin de Siècle period (circa 1895–1905)
Technique: Terracotta/maiolica with iridescent reactive metallic luster glaze
Conditions: Vintage, shows signs of age that emphasize its antiquity - see photos in the gallery

Seller's Story

Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects. Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep: • A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco. We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths. • Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design. • We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves. • Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally. This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector. • Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction. • Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood. We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost. Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust. Happy bidding!
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Era
1900-2000
Model
RARA Sculptural Bowl with Metallic Iridescent Sheen - Designed by Delphin Massier
Material
Earthenware
Designer/artist/maker
Delphin Massier
Manufacturer/brand
Vallauris, Scuola Francese (XX Sec.)
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
50 mm
Width
100 mm
Depth
100 mm
Estimated period
1900-1910
ItalyVerified
9112
Objects sold
88.64%
pro

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