Rating and value 2024 of ceramics, vases and sculptures by Clément Massier

If you own an object by or after Clément Massier, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of works by Clément Massier  

Clément Massier is a French artist well known to collectors of ceramics and sculpture. If you own one of his works, it may be worth more than you think. On the art market, Salto's works can fetch very high prices under the auctioneer's hammer.

His ceramic works are particularly prized by French and European buyers, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €10 to €26,000, a fairly substantial range, but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to Massier's works. In 2012, a ceramic plaque entitled Jeunes femmes autour d'un bassin sold for €26,000, whereas its estimate was between €4,000 and €5,000, more than five times the high estimate.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of artist Clément Massier

Clément Massier is part of a dynasty of Vallauris ceramists, active since the Ancien Régime. His arrival in the workshop marked a more modern turn. He invented iridescent ceramics, characterized by metallic reflections due to a chemical process, thus joining the Art Nouveau movement.

The life of Clément Massier  

Clément Massier (1844-1917) was a 20th-century ceramist active on the Côte d'Azur.

Born in Vallauris, he began his training in the family workshop with his father, Jacques Massier. Gaetano Gandolfi taught him various ceramic techniques, in particular glazed ceramics. After the death of Jacques Massier, the artist went into partnership with his brother, Delphin Massier. In 1883, he set up his own workshop and acquired a wealthy clientele throughout the Côte d'Azur (Golfe Juan, Cannes, Nice, Monaco...). His production grew extremely fast to keep pace with orders, and he had 120 employees just one year after opening his business. In 1887, he was officially appointed supplier to the Crown of England, thus consolidating his legitimacy and popularity and boosting his market value. He collaborated with various ceramic artists, including Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, who was appointed artistic director of the factory.

Driven to innovate by the growing success of his work, Massier researched iridescent ceramics and presented turquoise ceramics with a metallic sheen at the 1900 Universal Exhibition, winning a gold medal in the process.

Clément Massier died in 1917, but his daughters continued to publish his works. 

Clément Massier on the auction block

Today, there is no longer a monopoly factory or gallery marketing Massier's work. As a result, the auction market is the preferred route for acquiring one of his works. They are very popular at auction, and whether it's a stoneware sculpture, an animal model, a ceramic bowl or some other work, they are all in demand. 

Recognizing Clément Massier's signature   

Not all objects produced by Clément Massier are signed. Moreover, there are many copies, which is why it is important to appraise your work.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Clément Massier, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as ad hoc information about it. If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.