Bernard Palissy

Bernard Palissy (1510-90) was an inventive natural historian and potter who developed extensive knowledge and skill in the chemistry and technology of faïence, a tin glazed pottery with stylistic and material similarities to maïolica. However great his achievements were, Palissy refused to delineate any of the achievements and material mastery that he developed. Instead he claimed the right to keep his trade secrets even bey0nd the grave. Palissy's attitude towards shared knowledge was countered by his contemporary, Cipriano Piccolpasso. Palissy has had many followers who have adopted elements of his style, which drew upon casts of live creatures and natural envoronments as well as polychrome in-glaze oxide decorations.