Around 1960 - chamotte clay, incised and enamelled decoration.

Signed "Jean Derval" on the reverse

Jean Derval was received among the first at the National School of Applied Arts in Industry in 1938 where he met Roger Capron and Robert Picault. He was drawn to avant-garde sculpture from the turn of the century, especially cubism, the aesthetics of which would underpin his work.

Between 1944 and 1946, he went to Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, with Pierre Pigaglio and Jean Maubrou where he worked in sandstone. In 1946, Capron and Picault called on him in Vallauris, then between 1948 and 1951, he joined the Madoura workshop where he designed and turned pieces. He frequents and works with Picasso. In 1951, Derval set up the Portail workshop. His work then takes all its strength, he finds his very particular style, synthesis of a whole tradition and a certain vision of modernity, he chooses the unique and sculptural piece.