Jean Derval was born in Châtillon-sur-Indre in 1925. He studied with Roger Capron and Robert Picault at the Ecole des Arts Appliqués de Paris, graphic section, and graduated in 1944. He then entered the decoration workshop of the Christofle house, under the artistic direction of architect-decorator Jean-Charles Moreux. In 1947, he joined his colleagues Roger Capron and Robert Picault in Vallauris, and they founded the Callis workshop. Jean Derval stayed there a short time, and joined Madoura where, for two years, he shot many pieces for Picasso, and helped Suzanne Ramié in her personal production. He founded his own studio in 1951, while continuing to work for other ceramists, such as his brother-in-law Gustave Reynaud (Le Murier), or Roger Capron from 1968 to 1973, for large architectural decorations. His first pieces were bowls, vases, and statuettes inspired by Roman art or the Salons de l’Imagerie. Then he evolves into a more cubist style that he will keep all his life.