Pair of ceramic thistle vases signed Jérôme Massier, Vallauris, France, circa 1880.

This fantastic pair of ceramic vases with thistles decoration is authentic by its signature “Jérôme Massier”. It is dated to the end of the 19th century.

The Massier family has been established in Vallauris since the 18th century with Pierre Massier (1707-1748) recognised as a master potter. In the south of France, this period was favourable for the manufacture of ceramics intended for everyday use such as culinary pottery. It was not until the following century that art ceramics began to emerge, with an emphasis on aesthetics rather than utility.

Delphin and his brother Clément (1844-1917) and then their cousin Jean-Baptiste, known as Jérôme fils (1850-1916) were at the origin of this development. The Massiers owe this new direction to the systematic use of plaster moulds, which allowed the distribution of models, and to the use of glazed earthenware, which allowed a varied palette of colours. Delphin and Clément worked in the same workshop at the beginning and presented their joint creations at the 1883 Universal Exhibition in Amsterdam before each went their own way. Jérôme set up a factory in Vallauris.