Bernard Palissy: In Search of Earthly Paradise by Leonard N. Amico The authoritative book on the life of Bernard Palissy! Amico, former decorative arts curator at the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, moved to Paris in the 1980s to join the French government team of archeological historians during the excavations of Palissy's 16th-century Parisian workshops under the courtyard and adjacent grounds of the Louvre Museum where more than 10,000 ceramic shards were discovered. Bernard Palissy has long been of great interest to Amico and was the subject of his doctoral thesis at Yale. For those who have much more than a passing interest in the subject, this is the "bible!" The erudite text is accompanied by a rich visual sampling of Palissy's works, which reveal his profound influence on the development of the period's distinctive rustic style, with its strange bestiary of reptiles, amphibians, fish and seashells. Including the results of the author's own original research, much of it published here for the first time, this unprecedented monograph is certain to become an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history of the decorative arts. Also contains a long chapter on the 19th-century French followers of Palissy entitled "The Palissystes." How to Order.

Les Barbotines by Pierre Faveton This is an excellent primer for beginners in French Majolica. Full of high quality color photos, contains many sections with examples of work by each maker and all of the important 19th-century French factories. A good reference book for antique collectors to help identify each maker. Large format, 8 1/2" x 11" hardback book, 97 pages, Massin Editeur, Paris 1994. French text. For those who read French, easy to understand, but the historical narratives are not very accurate. Contains a section on Palissy Ware with good photos. To my knowledge, there are no other books on French Majolica. This one is worthwhile.How to Order.

			Bernard Palissy: Mythe et Realite
		Tuileries grotto fragments, attribution workshop of Bernard Palissy ca.1565-1567		Tuileries grotto fragments, attribution workshop of Bernard Palissy ca.1565-1567
		This superbly written history of Bernard Palissy was the most erudite study prior to the monumental work published four years later by Leonard Amico (listed at top of page). Published in 1990 upon the 400th anniversary of Palissy's death in the Bastille. This 161-page paperback book is full of many previously unpublished photos, some black and whites, most in color, and was the joint effort of three French museums in Agen (Palissy's birthplace), Saintes (the city where Palissy lived for many years) and Niort (another western French city located in the general area of Palissy's travels). The book consists of numerous essays by the leading French Palissy authorities. French text, not an easy read for beginning French language students, but an important document for all Palissy enthusiasts. How to Order.

Ceramiques de Bernard Palissy by Alan Gibbon This out-of-print book published in 1980 is the only book I've read that compares and identifies plates made by Palissy's contemporaries such as Le Pre D'Auge, Avon, Manerbe. Book contains hundreds of illustrations, most in color, some black and whites. Text in French. Very difficult to read by beginning French students. Many references to historical artists. Also available a complete English translation by Mark Sanford with complete historical annotations by Marshall Katz. How to Order.