Paul Quéré Le Minotaure Vallauris Vide Poche Tray French Art Pottery 1960s

Paul Quéré “Le Minotaure” Vallauris Vide Poche – Glazed Ceramic Art Deco Tray, France c.1960s

Offered here is a refined and highly collectible glazed ceramic vide poche tray by Paul Quéré, created for his celebrated workshop “Le Minotaure” in Vallauris, in the south of France. Dating from around the 1960s, this compact square tray is a beautiful example of French mid‑century art pottery, with a strong decorative presence and clear echoes of the Art Deco aesthetic in its stylised, coloured motifs.

Vallauris has long been recognised as one of the most important centres of French ceramic production, renowned for its artistic innovation and craftsmanship. Within this context, Paul Quéré’s “Le Minotaure” pieces stand out for their distinctive designs, painterly glazes and sculptural forms. This small tray embodies that spirit: at once functional and decorative, it is ideal as a vide poche (catch‑all dish) or as a display object in a curated collection of fine ceramics.

The tray is formed in glazed ceramic with a rich, colourful surface pattern. The coloured motifs are characteristic of Quéré’s work, combining a modernist sensibility with a subtle nod to classical mythology and the decorative language associated with the French Riviera. The glaze has a beautiful sheen, enhancing the depth of colour and the tactile quality of the ceramic surface.

This piece is in excellent condition, with no restorations. The glaze is fresh and luminous, with no cracks or repairs, making it especially desirable for collectors of vintage Vallauris pottery and mid‑century French ceramics. The undersurface bears the signature on the back, confirming its authenticity as an original work from Paul Quéré’s “Le Minotaure” atelier.

Dimensions (approx.):

• Length: 9 cm (approx.)
• Width: 9 cm (approx.)

Its compact square format makes this tray particularly versatile. It sits elegantly on a console, desk, bedside table or dressing table, and can be used to hold keys, jewellery, cufflinks, coins or other small precious objects. Equally, it can be displayed on its own or grouped with other Vallauris pieces, vintage studio pottery or Art Deco ceramics to create a sophisticated design vignette.

For collectors, this vide poche offers:

• An authentic Paul Quéré ceramic from his “Le Minotaure” workshop
• Original French art pottery from Vallauris, c.1960s
• Striking glazed ceramic with coloured decorative motifs
• Excellent, unrestored condition
• Clear signature on the back for assured authenticity

This luxurious little tray will appeal to connoisseurs of mid‑century French design, admirers of Art Deco–inspired ceramics, and anyone seeking a distinctive accent piece with genuine artistic pedigree. Whether you are building a curated collection of Vallauris pottery or searching for a singular gift for a lover of fine ceramics, this Paul Quéré “Le Minotaure” vide poche is a refined and timeless choice.

Carefully packed and shipped with the attention such a delicate and collectible ceramic deserves, this tray is ready to grace an elegant interior or join a serious collection of 20th‑century French art pottery.