Pair of Robert Picault Ceramic Handled Trays, Vallauris, France, circa 1950

A pair of hand-painted ceramic trays by French ceramicist Robert Picault, made in Vallauris, France, circa 1950s. The trays feature shallow rectangular forms with integrated handles and distinctive geometric decoration in turquoise, green, brown, and cream. The contrasting patterns combine swirling lines, zigzags, and intersecting motifs, characteristic of Picault’s graphic approach to ceramic decoration. Robert Picault (1919–2000) was a key figure in the post-war revival of Vallauris as a centre for French artistic ceramics. After arriving in the town in 1945, he founded the Callis workshop with Roger Capron in 1946 before establishing his own pottery in 1948. His work combined functional forms with bold, often two-tone decoration, drawing on traditional Mediterranean ceramic techniques. Both pieces are signed on the reverse. Versatile in use, they can serve as vide-poches on an entry console, small jewelry trays on a dressing table, or decorative soap dishes in a bathroom. In pristine condition. Dimensions (each): Overall length, including handle: 20 cm (7.9 in) Tray: 14 × 12 cm (5.5 × 4.7 in) Handle length: 7 cm (2.8 in) AI-generated interior images are for illustrative purposes only. Proportions and scale may vary; please refer to the listed measurements for the actual dimensions.