ceramic trinket tray by Olivier Pettit

A remarkable rectangular ceramic trinket tray by Olivier Pettit (1918-1979), a French ceramist and sculptor trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Active from the 1950s onward, Pettit developed a unique body of work characterized by graphic reliefs, architectural volumes, and textured glazes, thus contributing to the revival of French studio ceramics after the Second World War. This piece, signed on the reverse, perfectly illustrates his modernist and sculptural approach. Resting on four small feet, the tray features a raw glaze in ochre and brown tones, enhanced by a geometric motif in relief. A striking decorative object, it will find its perfect place on a console table, desk, or shelf. Evoking the spirit of the great French ceramists of the mid-20th century, this piece echoes the work of Roger Capron, Jean Derval and Georges Jouve, through its graphic language and sculptural character.