1900s Eugène Lion Japonist Grès Ceramic Vase

A wonderful, hand-thrown Japonist grès vase by Eugène Lion (1867-1945; St.-Amand-en-Puisaye, Fr.) with bold contrasting yellow, blue and green colors with an earthen brown background glaze and rendered on a simple narrow necked form. Inscribed underneath in Lion's hand with his signature. Dimensions: 9.6” (height) x 4.5” (weight).

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Eugène Lion was perhaps the most outstanding member of a dynasty of potters, founded by his ancestor Pierre in around 1750 at St. Amand-de-Puisaye. Eugène was one of the last of local potters to concentrate on throwing traditional utilitarian pieces. In 1888, the sculptor Jean Carriès moved to St. Amand-de-Puisaye. He sought the advice of local potters, including Eugene's father, Armand Lion. Eugène, who was then 21 years old, benefited from exposure to the style and methods of Carriès. His fruit-inspired forms and simple bottles with dripping, hire-fire glazes are outstanding examples of Japonist pottery. He sometimes collaborated with William Lee, Paul Jeannerey, and Pierre Pacton, and Jean Pointu. In 1920 Lion began to experiment with coppery reds and purples, which cements his reputation and wins him an award at the Concours Lepine of 1933.

Ducret, M. & Monjaret, P. (1997, Paris). L’Ecole de Carriès, Art Céramique à Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye. See figures on pp. 134-146 (for comparison).