Ashtray "Pestle and Mortar" by Marius Giuge

Ashtray / catch-all "mortar and pestle" by Marius Giuge. The white colour is speckled with black and brown cells that contrast with the transparent glaze. There are some signs of wear on the cigarette rests, but otherwise it is in perfect condition. The technique used to achieve this effect involved adding chemical compounds to the glaze. Depending on the chosen dosage, variations in the size and depth of the cells were obtained. This decoration, invented by Marius Giuge, inspired the "Fat Lava" ceramics, which were very popular in Germany in the late 1960s and 1970s. An emblematic piece of Marius Giuge's production from the 1960s and 1970s, it is signed on the underside: MG – VALLAURIS – AM for "Marius Giuge – Vallauris – Alpes-Maritimes". Marius Giuge, an iconic figure of Vallauris (1909-1980), experienced the prosperous years of the post-war period, creating pieces with classic shapes and sometimes kitsch glazes. He inherited the know-how from his father, Philippe, who was based in Vallauris, where he learned the pottery trade. In 1947, he opened his own workshop. He initially worked on traditional pieces before specialising in decorative ceramics. An excellent artisan potter, his workshops enjoyed great success.