Lot Essay
Joseph Landais (1800-1883) was born in Touraine and at the age of eleven left home for Tours. He is recorded working at several faience workshop, until forming a friendship with Charles-Jean Avisseau. In 1822, he married Avisseau's sister Anne-François and in 1849 they opened a workshop together producing wares that resembled those of Bernard Palissy. Unfortunately Landais and Avisseau subsequently parted on poor terms, each claiming credit for the rediscovery. For further information on the kinship between Landais, Avisseau and the Rohard family see lot 226.