Robert Auguste and Gyn Gausserand – Glazed ceramic pitcher with geometric decoration

The Balance of Modernism: A Sculpture of Form and Line

This glazed earthenware pitcher perfectly captures the essence of the Robert Auguste and Gyn Gausserand (RGA)partnership. Standing at the intersection of functional object and sculpture, it embodies the modernist spirit that transformed Vallauris into the epicenter of ceramic creation in the 1950s.

The piece is distinguished by a luminous white glaze that serves as a canvas for a powerful graphic composition. The hand-painted geometric motif blends the rigor of abstract black lines with a touch of vibrant orange enamel, creating a chromatic contrast typical of the era's mid-century modernism. Its slender silhouette and generous handle testify to Robert Auguste’s technical mastery at the potter’s wheel.

Details:

• Artist: Robert Auguste (1922–1991) & Gyn Gausserand (1932–2018)
  
• Period: Circa 1955
  
• Origin: Vallauris, France
  
• Materials: White glazed earthenware, black and orange geometric decor on a red clay body
  
• Dimensions: Height: 23 cm
  
• Marking: Bearing the workshop monogram under the base: “RGA”
  
• Condition: Excellent original condition

The Eye of Studio Cinquante

What fascinated us about this piece is the striking dialogue between its organic form—with a glossy glaze that offers an almost sensual haptic quality—and the radical, almost brutalist nature of its graphics. It is an object of contrasts, where the softness of the silhouette seems to contain the raw energy of an almost architectural drawing.

Styling Tip

To showcase this pitcher, we recommend pairing it with natural materials: a raw wood table, washed linen, or stone. These organic textures will echo its Mediterranean soul and allow the intensity of the black and orange decor to take center stage.