Large Art Nouveau planter; Jérôme Massier Fils, Vallauris, France, c. 1905.

Large Art Nouveau flowerpot; JÉRÔME MASSIER FILS, Vallauris, France, ca. 1905.
Glazed ceramic.
It exhibits wear consistent with age and use, as well as a few minor cracks.
Stamped on the inside of the base.
Measurements: 145 x 60 cm.
With a monumental presence and a distinctly ornamental character, this large planter is an outstanding example of the renewal of artistic ceramics that took place in Vallauris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its upper body, with a fluted and sinuous profile, is topped by an elegant wavy rim, creating an interplay of curved lines that visually extends into the piece’s decoration.The surface is enriched by a vibrant combination of pink, turquoise, and green tones, whose hues are intensified by the glossy glaze finish. The result is a surface of great visual richness, in which color, light, and the ceramic material take center stage.
Of particular interest is its base, conceived as a sculptural element in its own right and decorated with childlike figures or putti. These classically inspired figures introduce a narrative and playful element that contrasts with the monumentality of the piece as a whole and reinforces its eminently decorative character.
The piece is part of the body of work by Jérôme Massier Fils, a member of one of the great dynasties of ceramic artists associated with Vallauris. The Massiers—Jérôme, Clément, Delphin, and Cédric—played a decisive role in transforming this town on the French Riviera into one of Europe’s leading centers for artistic ceramics.
The family’s history dates back to generations before the French Revolution, but it was during the 19th century that their work gained particular prominence. Clément Massier (1844–1917) played a fundamental role in the modernization of ceramic production in Vallauris, gradually moving away from the manufacture of utilitarian items to focus on ceramics conceived as artistic and ornamental objects.