Jacques Sagan, Vallauris

Large mid century pottery vase by Jacques Sagan, Vallauris, available to buy now

Vallauris pottery has a long and illustrious history. But it was Picasso who brought new fame to the French pottery town, when he began working with Suzanne and Georges Ramié at the Madoura pottery in 1947.

In the 1950s, a host of French designers flocked to Vallauris. They included Jacques Blin, Georges Jouve, Charles Voltz, Roger Collet, Gilbert Portanier, Marius Bessone, André Baud, Jacques Innocenti, Albert Thiry, Gilbert Valentin and Alexander Kostanda. The pretty French seaside town became the focus for an exciting creative revival in French ceramics.

Jacques Sagan was one of them. He made this large and very sassy abstract vase, with its folded shape and contrasting decor on either side.

Sagan came to Vallauris in 1952, the same year as Roger Capron set up his Callis studio in the town. His life was almost as colourful as his pottery. In his past life, he had a performing poodle act in the Paris music halls – probably around the time he was romantically linked with Edith Piaf. There’s no business like show business…