1930s Jean Gerbino Mosaic Pitcher – Vallauris France, Nerikomi Clay Art, 8″

This striking Jean Gerbino mosaic pitcher was hand-built in Vallauris, France, in the early 1930s. Gerbino’s celebrated technique fuses dozens of patterned clay “canes,” creating a marbled micro-mosaic surface inspired by ancient Chinese Neriage pottery. The squared lip, canted handle, and geometric baluster form feel distinctly Modernist, yet the warm earth-tone palette stays rooted in Mediterranean craft tradition. Base is impressed “Gerbino / Vallauris,” affirming its provenance from the famed Gerbino Mosaic Workshop founded in 1930

Details & Features

• Maker: Jean Gerbino (1876-1966)
• Workshop: Gerbino Mosaic, Vallauris, France
• Date: Early 1930s; post-1931 Concours Lépine award period
• Technique: Laminated multicolor clay canes (mosaic / nerikomi) with clear glaze
• Design: Faceted baluster body, squared mouth, angular brown handle
• Historical Note: Gerbino perfected this mosaic-clay process over 15 years, winning the Paris Concours Lépine prize in 1931 and influencing French modern ceramics.

Measurements
Approximately 8 inches tall × 7 inches wide (spout to handle)

Condition
Overall very good vintage condition with one tight crack at the top of the handle (see close-up photo). Glaze otherwise bright with no crazing; tiny chip under handle blends with brown clay and is invisible on display. Piece remains stable for decorative use.

Styling Notes
Showcase solo on a walnut sideboard, flank with mid-century art glass for color contrast, or slip a few dried stems inside for a sculptural tablescape. Its tonal mosaic pattern plays beautifully against linen, stone, or raw wood—bringing curated French studio pottery charm to modern, boho, or eclectic interiors.