Mid 20th Century Robert Picault Vallauris Ceramic Caquelon (Fondue Pot)

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Description

An authentic Robert Picault ceramic caquelon (fondue pot) produced in Vallauris during the postwar revival of French studio pottery. This … Read more An authentic Robert Picault ceramic caquelon (fondue pot) produced in Vallauris during the postwar revival of French studio pottery. This piece exemplifies Picault’s distinctive decorative vocabulary: rhythmic geometric friezes in deep green with earthy brown accents, set against a luminous white ground. The bold zigzag band and circular motifs reflect the graphic clarity and Mediterranean spirit that made Vallauris ceramics internationally sought after in the 1950s and 1960s.

The caquelon form, traditionally used for fondue or rustic cooking, is here elevated through careful hand-decoration and balanced proportions. The glaze reveals subtle tonal variations and fine craquelure consistent with vintage earthenware, enhancing its artisanal character.

About Robert Picault
Robert Picault (1919–2000) was a French ceramicist associated with the post-war revival of pottery in Vallauris, on the Côte d’Azur. Arriving there in 1946, he became part of the town’s artistic renewal and formed a personal friendship with Pablo Picasso, who was then working at the Madoura workshop. In 1948, Picault co-founded the Atelier Callis alongside Roger Capron and Jean Derval, contributing to the renewed creative energy that defined Vallauris during this pivotal period.

Picault’s work is characterized by hand-thrown forms decorated with incised and painted geometric, vegetal, and sun motifs, often rendered in earthy greens, browns, and ochres. Produced in relatively small batches, his ceramics reflect the spirit of mid-century Mediterranean modernism. Today, pieces by Robert Picault are appreciated as collectible examples of 20th-century French studio pottery and as part of the broader Vallauris movement that reshaped modern ceramic design.

Approx. dimensions
Diameter: 8.66 in (22 cm); height: 3.94 in (10 cm); maximum length (including handle): 12.99 in (33 cm)

Approx. weight
2.74 lb (1.24 kg)

Item will be carefully packed and shipped fully insured.

Styled image for presentation purposes only. See less