Jean Gerbino Mosaic Vase, Vallauris, France, c. 1960

This French art pottery piece was created in Jean Gerbino's workshop in Vallauris. It features the complex inlaid mosaic technique, a process of assembling colored clays that the master perfected throughout his career.

Object History: Jean Gerbino (1876-1966), of Italian origin, settled in Vallauris where he developed a secret method of "terres mêlées" to create geometric patterns that run through the entire thickness of the piece. This style, influenced by Venetian millefiori, became the distinctive signature of his production and is now a benchmark of mid-20th-century French designer ceramics.

Technical Details:
- Period: 1960s
- Technique: Ceramic mosaic (terres mêlées)
- Dimensions: Approximate diameter 11 cm (4.3 inches); Height 11 cm (4.3 inches)
- Material: Polychrome and glazed stoneware clay
- Condition: Excellent preservation with no visible cracks or restorations. The base features the hand-incised marks "GERBINO" and "VALLAURIS".

This specimen has multiple top holes for controlled stem arrangement, allowing its use for ikebana-style displays. It is a high-value piece for collectors of the Vallauris school.