One of the great pleasures of being in the design business is discovering the work of artists that have remained a bit under-the-radar. Such is the case with the work of artists Jacques and Dani Ruelland. Both Ruelland’s had artistic training: Jacques as a painter and Dani as a sculptor. The young couple combined talents and began working with ceramics in a studio at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, setting up their own studio in 1954. They exhibited regularly in Parisian galleries until the early 1990’s.

More recently, fashion designer Raf Simons auctioned off his extensive collection of French ceramics. In December 2013 at the Piasa Rive Gauche, the auction “French Ceramics: 1945-75” (Paris, December 17, 2013) included 10 vases by Jacques & Dani Ruelland. Pre-auction estimates were between $9,500-12,000, with an actual hammer price coming down at $19,300. Said Simons, “Their vases are very romantic and powerful, perhaps because they are the work of a couple.”

With their chic and sculptural simplicity, On Madison thinks their work will not be under-the-radar for long.

1/ Yellow table lamp by Jacques & Dani Ruelland 2/ Orange glazed stoneware pair of lamps in the manner of Jacques & Dani Ruelland from On Madison 3/ Spherical ceramic green vase by Jacques & Dani Ruelland 4/ Collection of Jacques & Dani Ruelland ceramic vases from the French Ceramics auction