The Cazaux story begins in the 19th century when a group of modest potters, from Cagnotte in the Landes region of South-west France, evolves a cottage industry, producing earthenware jugs and plates for their wives to sell in local village markets. Amongst their number are Jean-Baptiste and Marie Cazaux, whose son Alcide, born in 1857, becomes well known in the region for his ‘Pegas’ or large water jugs their extreme delicacy of design and lightness.
Alcide marries Valerie who gives birth to a son, Edouard. The family moves across the Adour river to Bayonne, where a second son Vincent is born and in 1893 the young family moves to the Negresse quarter of nearby Biarritz, where a third son Armand is born in 1895. Alcide continues to create his famous ‘Pegas’ made with local earth from the villages of Arcangue and Espelette. Working a great deal with local house builders the couple dream of building a homeand workshop of their own.
In 1908 Alcide and Valerie’s dream comes true ; having acquired a piece of land at Chemin de Larreguy, they build their own house and workshop. It is here their three sons Edouard, Vincent and Armand grow up. The pottery becomes more elaborate and sophisticated after young Edouard serves an apprenticeship in Oustau, from where he returns with a few potter’s ‘secrets’, before departing for Paris at the age of 18.

The 1914-18 war is a difficult period for the aging Alcide and Valerie, all three of their sons serve in the army and when Armand returns from serving his country, their faltering business is saved by a large order of resin pots. In 1920 Edouard returns to Paris for good, settling in La Varenne St Hilaire. Armand arrives to help his brother establish production of artistic ceramics. Having accumulated great experience, Armand returns to the Negresse workshop in 1922 and resumes working with his father and older brother Vincent. The three Cazaux brothers maintain contact through weekly correspondence, exchanging drawings, techniques, recipes and discoveries. Production is gradually changing with more emphasis on decorative pieces, both indoor and outdoor. In 1921 the first order is placed for interior decoration, this is the beginning of Cazaux tilework.

In 1928, as demand for Cazaux ceramics increases, an enlarged workshop is built.  From this year Edouard starts his collaboration with Degue glassworks. Moving into the 1930’s, with the construction of many beautiful villas and houses on the Basque coastline, Cazaux's expand their repertoire and evolve a totally original style. Armand and Vincent still receive Parisian contributions from Edouard and their ceramics range expands to encompass furniture.

Together, Edouard, Vincent and Armand create the ‘3 B’ fountain, for the Basque pavillion within the 1937 Paris International Exhibition. In addition, they design a great ceramic murale, the mould for which remains in the Chemin de Larreguy workshops to this day. As a result of this combined effort, the brothers receive the exhibition’s prestigious Gold Medal and Edouard begins building a successful reputation in Paris. While meeting many other artists, Edouard remains in touch with his Basque based brothers, Vincent and Armand. He regularly sends letters detailing ideas and sharing information gleaned from his own artisanal circle.

Soon Vincent is named ‘Best French Craftsman’ while Armand continues with his interior decoration at Chateau de Brindos in Biarritz. In 1942, a son Jean-Marie is born.

In the 1950’s Armand adopts a new series of motifs for his work; incorporating deer and women as the principal themes... these designs echo primitive cave paintings. This stunning work is enhanced by the flames and smoke within the Cazaux wood fired kiln, and during this same period Armand fires large reddish-brown plates, pieces which eloquently symbolize a bold era of Cazaux creativity.

In 1952, Edouard writes to his brother Armand : “be quite sure to watch Jean-Marie grow... he will be better than us. In times to come, when people speak about Cazaux, they will say only that we were three !”

(source : Musée des Arts Décoratifs)