Stoneware Horse-Shaped Box by Contemporary Ceramicist Julie Desert - 6¾"

A whimsical petite lidded box hand modeled in the form of a stylized horse, crafted in glazed stoneware. The domed, ovoid body forms the torso, with the lid rising into a sculpted horse’s head at the front and a small tail knop at the back. The glaze is a variegated blend of earthy umber, chocolate, and smoky black, with subtle flecking and pinholing that enrich the surface with tactile character. The gentle, storybook silhouette balances naïve charm with refined savoir-faire, conceived as a covered box for small keepsakes that combines function with sculptural playfulness.

Stamped JDA to the base, the piece is by French contemporary ceramic artist Julie Desert Armanville. Based in southern France, Desert Armanville is known for her poetic, hand-built stoneware that often takes inspiration from animals and natural forms. She played a significant role at the Roger Capron design studio in Vallauris between 1972 and 1983. Her work celebrates the irregularities of clay, embracing texture, earthy glazes, and expressive modeling to create objects that carry both utility and narrative charm. Each piece is individually crafted and stamped, reflecting her philosophy of slow, attentive making rooted in the traditions of studio pottery yet reimagined with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

This horse box brings a warm, whimsical note to interiors and can be placed on a writing desk for stamps and paperclips, on a console or bookshelf as a sculptural accent, or on a bedside table to hold jewelry.