Walking through large design events like Paris Design Week, it’s easy to be drawn to bright colors and intriguing patterns, especially while jet-lagged and being overloaded with visual information.
This September, though, during Paris Design Week / Maison et Objet, there were many fine examples of decidedly humble pottery, made with out tricky shapes or trendy glazes.
As always, the best spots in town to find treasures like this are Merci, Empreintes, and Astier de Villate. The latter is quite expensive, but you can find more reasonable options at the other venues. Most are available directly through vendors in the US.
Humble Ceramics Take the Stage at Paris Design Week
Jiseungmin Ceramics
ARJ Los Angeles
The Seoul-based company produces exquisitely simple wares with perfect proportions and muted, neutral off-whites, beiges, and browns. The shapes are basic but perfect. They feel great in the hand and have a timeless vibe. Everything is made by ceramic artist Seungmin Ji in his studio, which he founded in 2014.
Cecile Preziosa
Flora and Henri
With glazes made from natural minerals and oxides, Cécile Preziosa’s ceramics have a matte, subtly textured finish that reflects light beautifully and is sensual in the hand. She trained in a workshop in the Alsace region, and opened her own business in 2013. Preziosa uses the jiggering technique—in a sort of press mold that prevents warping—or hand thrown.
Benoît Audureau
Merci, Paris
Celebrating natural imperfections is part of the beauty of the humble ceramics work of Benoît Audureau, who works with raw clay from local brickworks. His glazes likewise range from earthy and highly textured to a more serene, matte off-white, using a white magnesian glaze. In addition to plates, tea pots, and bowls, his vessels are also sold as re-fillable.
Story by Stephen Treffinger
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