Jean Jaffeux (1931- 2015) Design Coffee Table 50

Beautiful Design coffee table circa 1950 signed Jaffeux (Jean Jaffeux 1931- 2015 famous ceramicist enameler and painter born in Auvergne) Free-form structure in ceramic composed of a thick slab of sculpted lava stone and decorated with a large abstract polychrome enameled pattern, architectural base in black lacquered metal. Good condition, dimensions: 100 cm X 83 cm X 64 cm / Height: 40 cm Jean Jaffeux was born in 1931 in Riom (Puy de Dôme - Auvergne) Inspired by the work of his father, he painted as an autodidact from the age of 15 and quite naturally in the parental line, he drew advertisements and illustrations. He said "The only thing I had from my father was my eyes to observe his works." After discovering the technique of enameled lava at the Saint Martin workshop in Mozac, he decided to use his talent as a decorative painter on this new medium, volcanic stone, which was abundant in the Auvergne region. Jean Jaffeux thus worked alongside Jean Borel (1896-1990), a great enameler on lava. Subsequently, the 'local boy' decided to open his own craft workshop. For more than fifty years, Jean Jaffeux worked there on the art of enameled lava for interior decoration (coffee tables, wall paintings, etc.) and outdoor environments. His studio also serves as a place for exchange and sharing: young artists from the region come there to learn the technique of enameling on lava, such as the painter Louis Dussour (1905-1986), Yves Seurat, Léopold Chevalier, Adrien Rougier, Marie-Alix Delaire, or Marie and François Lienhard (sons of Jean Lienhard, enameler on lava) ... The painter and cartoonist Jean Lurçat (1892-1966) has been interested in enameled lava since 1948 thanks to his friend Paul Corriger (1923-2009), who has his own studio in Sainte Foy la Grand (Gironde). On several occasions, he met Jean Jaffeux for tapestry projects. Approaching retirement, Jean Jaffeux decided to paint on canvas again. A renowned lava enameller throughout France and a fan of unique pieces, Jean Jaffeux has produced numerous works for interior decoration (tables, bedside tables, etc.) and for exteriors. It should be noted that one of the physical characteristics of enamelled lava is its resistance to thermal shocks and winter frost, which explains the many lava works in this central and cold region of France. Among the favourite themes of the decorative artist are sacred art with altars, Stations of the Cross for churches in Auvergne (Saint Ours-les-Roches, Brassac-les-Mines, Vergheas, Le Vernet La Varenne, Riom (St Amable church and Marthuret church), Murat-le-Quaire, Notre Dame de la Route, etc.), Pas de Calais (the Sainte Barbe church in Bruay-en-Artois, later transferred to the church in Bruay Labuissière) and Corsica. Jean Jaffeux also decorated the hall of the Clermont-Ferrand train station as well as the thermal baths of the Suzanne and Louise springs in Châtelguyon. His sometimes abstract graphic style in connection with his color palette gives his work a uniqueness and a recognizable authorship. A fan of the unique piece, he leaves a work that still retains an aesthetic modernity today.