Large glazed ceramic vase with handles, Marius Bessone, Vallauris, France, 1956

Large vase with handles in “fat lava” glazed ceramic, with abstract decoration in brightly colored enamels.
Yellow glazed interior.
Inscribed signature Bessone Vallauris 56 on the bottom.
Height: 35 cm (13.8 inches)
Diameter: 26 cm (8.3 inches)
Diameter at the handles: 36 cm (14.2 inches)

Biography

Marius Bessone
January 1, 1929 – January 1, 2001
Vallauris, France

Marius Bessone is an iconic figure in 20th-century French ceramics. Working mainly in Vallauris, he developed a unique style that left its mark on the history of ceramic art. His internationally recognized work is a testament to his exceptional skill and ongoing research.

Marius Bessone, born in 1929 in Vallauris, grew up in the world of clay, becoming familiar with the potter’s wheel at an early age under the guidance of his artisan parents. This early immersion in ceramic art formed the basis of his intuitive approach to the material.
He underwent rigorous training in industrial techniques for architecture and ceramic decoration between 1949 and 1954.

The true genesis of Bessone’s work began in 1954, when he opened a studio with his wife, Huguette. This marital and artistic partnership shaped their shared vision, and together they created functional pieces with geometric shapes, punctuated with incisions and adorned with bright colors. These creations, which are expressions of their shared love for clay, reinforce the link between art and utility, beauty and practicality.

Passionate about research, Marius’s work is distinguished by his exploration of relief textures and the revival of processes such as crystallization. During his career, he filed an impressive number of patents, notably for ceramic decoration processes, such as the volcanic effects technique, a method of crystallizing glazes that creates bubble effects on the surface of ceramics.

Marius is particularly known for his “fat lava” style pieces with textured surfaces and colorful abstract patterns.

Recognition of Marius and Huguette Bessone’s work was not long in coming. By the 1960s, their works were being exhibited in prestigious galleries and winning numerous awards, such as the honorary diploma at the Vallauris National Ceramic Art Competition in 1966 and the Silver Medal for Arts and Letters in 1969 for Marius.