23/09/2026
Large Stoneware Sculpture-Vase — La Borne, France, 1970s
Wood-fired, high-temperature firing
An imposing hand-modelled stoneware sculpture, acquired in La Borne, France, in the 1970s.
An archaic and primitive form, almost anthropomorphic, with irregular volumes and numerous sculptural protrusions. Its deeply textured surface reveals a rich palette of red, brown, ochre and black earth tones, enhanced by the effects of firing.
More than a vase, a true stoneware sculpture — raw, primitive and almost archaeological in character, evoking an ancient ritual object.
A striking piece reflecting the experimental and elemental spirit of La Borne ceramics during the 1970s.
🇫🇷 La Borne, France
Circa 1970
Stoneware / wood firing
Unique piece
Multiple positions for different display options
Impressed mark to the underside — signature to be identified.
The particularly rich surface displays brown, ochre, red and iron-rich earth tones, punctuated by darker areas and variations likely resulting from wood firing. The deposits, firing marks, chromatic variations and heavily textured surface give the piece an almost volcanic appearance.
The piece is constructed in several sections, with a clearly visible horizontal seam running around the body, revealing the hand-building and assembly process. It rests on a small circular metal foot.
The piece fully embodies the aesthetic of “grès sauvage” (“wild stoneware”) from La Borne, a movement that experienced significant development during the 1960s and 1970s. La Borne subsequently became a major centre of contemporary French ceramics, attracting artists such as Jean Linard, Anne Kjaersgaard, Pierre Digan, Elisabeth Joulia and Yves Mohy.
