◇ Modern Tableware - 1920s (minimal restoration)

This stylized plate, Céramiques de Table, presents an illustrative catalogue of contemporary dishware designs across four horizontal tiers. Rendered in a crisp, graphic style, the composition is defined by simplified silhouettes and a restricted palette of primary colors—cobalt blue, yellow, black, and white—set against a neutral, beige background. The overall impression is one of sleek, functional modernity and geometric clarity, suggesting a shift toward cleaner, more rational forms for the domestic sphere. The arrangement has the systematic feel of an architectural elevation or a designer's blueprint.

Why We Picked It
The image is compelling for its direct articulation of early 20th-century design principles, particularly the functionalist aesthetic. The composition relies on a clear, stacked presentation that emphasizes the form and structure of each object. Key elements include the use of bold, horizontal stripes and solid blocks of color to define volume without relying on traditional shading. The selection of objects—from simple storage containers to pitchers and plates—demonstrates an interest in standardizing and elevating everyday items. This schematic approach is less about decoration and more about the honest representation of industrial or mass-producible design.

Notable Context
This print originates from a pivotal moment in the development of 20th-century decorative arts. The Répertoire du Goût Moderne (Repertory of Modern Taste) was a publication dedicated to showcasing new aesthetics, heavily reflecting the Art Deco movement and the broader influence of Modernism in France during the 1920s. 

The designs shown here align with the emerging focus on functionalism and the removal of historical ornamentation. They reflect the aesthetic philosophies of groups like the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM), which advocated for simplicity, utility, and the acceptance of machine production. This style was a direct reaction against the elaborate, organic forms of Art Nouveau. The crisp geometry, bold colors, and emphasis on the object's essential shape demonstrate a commitment to designing for a modern lifestyle that valued efficiency and unadorned elegance in the home. The inclusion of these designs in a published repertory signifies an effort to disseminate and standardize this new aesthetic into everyday life.

About the Artist
The ceramics designs are attributed to Francis Jourdain (1874–1964), a French painter, writer, and, significantly, a pioneering designer and interior decorator. Jourdain was a crucial figure in the Modernist movement in France. He strongly advocated for affordable, mass-produced furniture and objects designed with a strict eye toward simplicity and utility. His work represented an ethical stance, believing that good design should be accessible and not solely the province of luxury crafts. He was a founding member of the UAM in 1929 and actively promoted a functional, rational aesthetic, moving decisively away from the decorative excesses of the past. His contributions helped shape the standard for modern French interior design, prioritizing practical, unpretentious forms over superficial embellishment.