Description: (French potter and scientist)
Bernard Palissy was a French potter, hydraulics engineer, and craftsman known for his dedication to imitating Chinese porcelain, particularly through his distinctive "rusticware" style. His large oval platters adorned with small animals and vegetation were highly decorated and influenced many followers who adopted his style. Palissy's pottery style persisted in France until the 19th century and later inspired Mintons Ltd's Victorian majolica, exhibited at the London Great Exhibition of 1851 as "Palissy ware". He also made significant contributions to natural sciences, including geology, hydrology, and fossil formation.