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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
20th Century Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Gerbing Stephan, AT ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare Art Nouveau majolica vase by the world famous manufactory of Gerbing Stephan from the early period in Austria around 1910. The beautiful shaped grey blue color...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Wheat Jardiniere With Birds Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century Majolica wheat vase jardiniere with birds signed Delphin Massier. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family p...
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Large Vallauris Hand-Made Faience Ceramic Centerpiece, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Large Vallauris Hand-Made Faience Ceramic Centerpiece, France, 1950s An absolutely stunning large ceramic fruit bowl or centerpiece, featuring an intricate sculptural body in rich o...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Wall Pocket/Planter - Hand Painted with Lemons - Italy - Circa 1990 s
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage majolica wall pocket/planter - large size - molded ceramic form - featuring hand painted lemons and branches against a midnight blue background - green leaf borders to ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Romantic Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890. Height / 4 inches. Lenght / 5.2 by 2.5 inches.
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Vintage Italian Porcelain Animal Figurine Rooster Ceramic Cockerel Bird Figure
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Art Deco mid Century Italian porcelain 2 roosters on a tree trunk Material: Porcelain, Ceramic, Tin glazed Design: In the manner of Cacciapuoti Origin: Italy, first half 20th century...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

Italian Whippet Greyhound Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding Italian Greyhound statue in glazed and hand painted terracotta. Perfectly placed on a pedestal stylized as a cushion, lifelike ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Vallauris Yellow White Brown Ceramic Fat Lava Round Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
French Mid-Century Vallauris ashtray / bowl in glazed ceramic. Beautiful fat lava glazed ceramic ashtray in yellow, amber, white and brown colors. Manufactured by Vallauris. France, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Fanciullacci Majolica Ceramic Dresser Box with Lid Horse Relief Italy 1950s-1960
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage pottery dresser box features a minimal rectangular form with matching lid and Mid Century Modern relief and sgraffito decor. A prancing horse motif is done in brigh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery, Terracotta

Rare French Majolica Rabbit Pitcher, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica beige pitcher rabbit with a medal 1900, made for the International Exhibition in Paris of 1900. The pitcher is stamped by the store where he was sold Compagnie Franco...
Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Mid Century Vase by Deruta Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A unique piece by the renowned producer Deruta of Umbria, Italy. This piece is produced in the 1950's and has a greek motif in vibrant pink, white, black and gold. The condition is p...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Country Majolica Pheasant Tureen, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pheasant tureen from Caugant, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large Handled 19th Century French Majolica Flowers Vase
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century French Majolica Flowers Vase, Impressionist period and style. 22 inches Height.  
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Art Nouveau Majolica Planter Jardiniere by Hector Guimard Barbotine
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Hector Guimard was a renowned French architect and designer who is best known for his Art Nouveau style. He was born in Lyon in 1867 and later moved to Paris, where he became a promi...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair of White Majolica Ceramic Doves, Italy 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The vintage porcelain or ceramic dove figurines feature finely detailed bodies, artfully hand painted with light green accents on bright white majolica glaze, creating a reserved, natural color palette of white and tone-on-tone green. The birds are realistically sculpted with wide, flowing tails, standing calmly with their heads slightly turned. They are not mirror images of each other; each presents subtle differences in posture, adding visual interest and another layer of complexity to the set. Highly detailed figurines convey a touch of historical elegance and whimsical charm of traditional Italian country style. Each sculpture is marked with ITALY and model numbers on the inner surfaces. While many Italian artists and studios created their version of dove figurine, most of them are stylistically different from this pair; Bitossi and Zaccagnini birds have more streamlined, Modernist silhouettes, and the doves created for Raymor were less detailed and intentionally less realistic, as well as most often marked with distributor name in writing. We're attributing the pair to Mottahedeh, who sourced Italian majolica in similar style; the pieces will be simply marked ITALY and Mottahedeh will add their paper stickers. As the sculptures are quite old, the stickers often get lost or destroyed. The convenient size and small footprint allows the set to be used in a multiple ways, such as dining room centerpiece, console table accent, shelf or fireplace mantel decoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Mid-Century Vallauris “Sea Shell” Vide-Poche / Catchall, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Mid-Century Vallauris “Sea Shell” Vide-Poche / Catchall – Red, Brown Yellow Ceramic A very beautiful Vallauris “céramique” vide-poche or catchall, sculpted in the form of a se...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica

Bitossi Aldo Londi Midcentury Vintage Italian Large Ceramic Vase/Pitcher, 1960s
Located in Valencia, VC
Rare Bitossi for Ceramiche Paoli Large Vase – Mid-Century Neolithic-Inspired Design A striking example of Aldo Londi’s masterful work, this large ceramic vase embodies the timeless influence of Neolithic utility pottery, reinterpreted through Bitossi’s signature craftsmanship. Featuring the iconic sgraffito hand decor, inspired by Etruscan ceramics, this piece is part of the Sahara line, distinguished by its earthy, textured aesthetic. Unlike the standard Bitossi Sahara...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica, Stoneware

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica box with oysters and snail signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880. Measures: Height / 8", length / 15" on 6.5".
Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Galgo Greyhound Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding Italian Greyhound statue in glazed and hand painted terracotta. Perfectly placed on a pedestal stylized as a cushion, lifelike ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Fratelli Fanciullacci Majolica Vase with Floral Decor, Italy Mid Century
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unusual vase with complex, slightly textured glaze features applied relief in shape of abstract flowers and leaves. Top and bottom parts of the vase are decorated with delicate gree...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Lobster Platter Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large oval Majolica Palissy wall platter Vallauris, circa 1950. Large fishes, lobster, seaweeds, shells. From Provence. Measures: Length / 22.5 inches on 9 inches, height / 2.5 inche...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Surrealistic Artistic Majolica Pitcher Signed by Alabbo Amalki, Italy, 1960s
Located in Valencia, VC
Unique Surrealistic Faience / Majolica Vase-Pitcher with Seahorse Handle by Alabbo Amalki, RC Italy A very unique and highly decorative faience (majolica) vase-pitcher, showcasing a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Faience, Majolica

A Stunning French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Centerpiece by Fives-Lille
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Stunning French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Centerpiece by Fives-Lille  France, circa 1900s, Gustave de Bruyn & Fils, Fives-Lille  A stu...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Rooster Hen Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Charming Majolica vase with a rooster and hen against a trunk signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. Reference / A similar example of this piece page 83 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur"...
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Large Majolica Parrots Centerpiece Delphin Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Parrots Centerpiece Jerome Massier, circa 1900. 14 inches.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

19th Century Majolica Monkey Pianist Humidor Tobacco Jar Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Amusing Majolica monkey pianist tobacco jar Sarreguemines, circa 1880.Rarely found complete with his lid ,he wear a costume of Oriental style, he play piano and two books are represe...
Category

1880s French Rococo Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Art Nouveau Faience Handled Vase with Drip Glaze, Belgium
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking large ceramic vase features the organic, rounded shape with 3 curved, free-flowing decorative handles. It is decorated in characteristic Belgian Art Nouveau style with the u...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Art Nouveau Handmade and Hand Glazed Planter Jardinière, 1930 Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant Handmade Majolica Hand-glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1920. Imperiale Royale, NIMY Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant deta...
Category

1920s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Rare Minton Majolica Posy Vase, circa 1875
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Minton Majolica Posy small vase modelled as three upright yellow bamboo canes all supported on an earthy ground.
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Jasba Fat Lava Op Art Vase Earthy Colors Western Germany Ceramic
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Jasba N3221120 vase is a part of N series of objects; this series covers a large segment of Jasba’s production. Items within the series come in a wide variety of forms and decors, a...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

French Majolica White Rose Vase Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica White Rose Vase Circa 1900. H / 6.5 inches.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Oxen Cart Clement Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Antique Majolica oxen cart jardiniere circa 1900, signed Clement Massier Golfe-Juan. Reference: Page 111 "Barbotines de la cote d'Azur" of Bottero.
Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Palissy footed wood box jardiniere School of Paris. A large spotted fish on the front of the jardiniere surrounded by leaves and white dai...
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Art Deco Italian Ceramic Animal Figurine Macaw Parrot Porcelain Bird Figure
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Art Deco tall Italian animal Figurine Ceramic Parrot Macaw on a tree trunk Material: porcelain, ceramic, tin glazed Design: Cacciapuoti style...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

Glazed Art Nouveau Centerpiece Planter Jardinière, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1930s Wonderful Art Nouveau period/ monumental ceramic planter jardinière, handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant blue ...
Category

1930s French Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Boxer Dog Life-Size Majolica Statue Sculpture, Glazed Ceramic, Italy, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
An eye-catching and ornamental vintage life-size figurine of a boxer dog, standing 34 inches tall. This handcrafted and hand-painted statue, made from glazed ceramic/pottery, was pro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

French Art Nouveau Majolica Earthenware Vases ca. 1900
Located in Poperinge, BE
Rare pair of Art Nouveau glazed vases made of crackled majolica earthenware, polychrome design, soft colors typical of the Art Nouveau period, floral and organic decoration of flower...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica

Majolica Swan Jardinière Stamped Imperiale Nimy, Belgium, circa 1900
Located in Verviers, BE
Majolica white swan jardinière Nimy, circa 1900. Stamped: Nimy Faiences imperiale 1789-1951 Belgium. A real treasure for the ceramics' collector. ...
Category

Early 1900s Belgian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century English Majolica Gurgling Fish Pitcher Jug
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English majolica glazed ceramic gurgling fish pitcher or glug jug, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This whimsical fish pitcher has a stylish design in a lovely ...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Renaissance Vase Serpentine Handles Bacchus Italy 19th Century Revival
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall Italian majolica serpentine handles vase with a mythological scene Depicting The Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne - Annibale Carracci - 1597...
Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

English Majolica Turquoise Nautilus Shell Vase on Rockwork Base, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking English majolica nautilus shell vase dating to circa 1880, modeled in vibrant turquoise glaze. The vessel takes the form of a finely ribbed shell with textured surface, it...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Live Size Italian Dachshund Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding statue of an Italian dachshund made of glazed and hand-painted terracotta. Perfect, lifelike, and life-size representations of this loving creature, faithful, affectio...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Large English Victorian Hunt Scene Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large English Victorian Hunt Scene Jardiniere Circa 1890. Decorated with hound dogs with a deer. Dogs heads handles. 19.5 by 8.5 inches.
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

A rare early 20th-century French majolica "barbotine" crab trinket box
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A French majolica "barbotine" trinket box or catchall from the early 20th century, crafted in the shape of a crab. The lid, representing the crab’s shell, opens to reveal a storage c...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rococo Revival Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Karlsruhe Majolika Manufactory Sculpture, Dogs, Dachshund, Germany, 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful figure of two dachshund puppies from the well-known Karlsruhe Majolika Manufactory. Marked on the bottom '5338', the production number. On the bottom we see the coat of arm...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century French Majolica Beehive Tobacco Jar
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Beehive Tobacco Jar. North of France.
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Austrian Majolica Lily Jardinière Greiner Sohn, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica Lily Jardinière Julius Greiner & Sohn Bodenbach, circa 1900. Art Nouveau.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900. Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category

Early 1900s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Boxer Dog Terracotta Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Italian Boxer Majolica dog statue figurine. Nice addition to your room or entry hall. It is approx. 32 inches high, 20 inches wide and 13 inches deep. Made of Ma...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier. 2 pansies, 2 wild roses , 1 daisy. Table vases decorations , very rare form and size. Around 4 inches height ...
Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare French Majolica Pineapple Basket Box Sarreguemines, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare French Majolica Pineapple Basket Box Sarreguemines, circa 1890. Height / 6 inches , Diameter / 3.8 inches.
Category

1920s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Small Lonitz Majolica Snipe Wall Plaque
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Lonitz Majolica wall plaque which features a snipe. Coloration: Cream, grey, brown, are predominant.  
Category

1880s German Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Large English Leaves White Flowers Jardiniere
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Large English Leaves & White Flowers Jardiniere. 15.5 by 7.5 inches. H / 7 inches.
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Antique Wilhelm Schiller Majolica Planter, 19th Century
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique ormolu-mounted Majolica twin handled planter or centre piece attributed to Wilhelm Schiller. The Majolica planter is of wide rounded form with a raised ornate rim and with...
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Mid-Century Vallauris Ceramic Vide-Poche with Fat Lava Glaze, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Beautiful Sculptural Vallauris Ceramic Vide-Poche, 1950s A striking sculptural ceramic vide-poche (trinket dish) from Vallauris, South France, dating to the 1950s. This handmade pie...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Faience, Earthenware

Large French Majolica Morning Glory Jardinière, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica jardinière with morning glory flowers from North of France, circa 1880.
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century Large Majolica Swan Vase Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
Large rare French Majolica swan vase signed Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. Height / 23.3 inches. 16 inches by 12 inches. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most im...
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Large Italian Albisola Blue and White Tin-glazed Majolica Urn/Vase
Located in San Francisco, CA
the impressive vessel with everted lip above an ovoid body flanked by double mask handles all over a splayed foot; painted overall with a female figure and putti in a landscape setti...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Baroque Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Antique and Vintage Majolica Vases, Bowls, Candleholders and Other Decorative Objects

The popularity of Victorian majolica, the gaily colored, metallic-oxide-glazed earthenware, has ebbed and flowed for more than a century. Right now, antique and vintage vases, bowls and other decorative objects appear to be having a moment — again.

Starting in the 1850s, people in the U.S. and the U.K. embraced these affordable housewares with unusual polychrome palettes (turquoise and pink) and whimsical forms (candlesticks shaped like dolphins). By the 1870s, majolica was being mass-produced for an ever-expanding middle class in countries like England, France, Sweden, Hungary and Portugal. Majolica was Art for Everyman. Its popularity coincided with interest in exotic Japonisme and scientific studies by the likes of Carl Linnaeus, Charles Darwin and John James Audobon.

Despite a similarity in name, Victorian majolica is significantly different in subject matter and form from its Italian forebear, Renaissance maiolica. That earlier earthenware bore gaily painted religious and mythological scenes, and unlike majolica, with its  lively contours, was not molded or three dimensional.

What was the attraction of majolica for the 19th-century collector? “Imagine what it looked like in a Victorian interior, with dark woods, heavy drapes and upholstered chairs and sofas,” says Susan Weber, founder of the Bard Graduate Center in New York. “Majolica is robust and extremely tactile. With its naturalistic shapes, colorful glazes and often humorous themes, it appealed to the growing consumer society.” 

In England, manufacturers like Minton began to produce decorative, relief-molded majolica tiles for the interiors of taverns, train stations, even the famous Queen’s Dairy at Frogmore, on the grounds of Windsor Castle. In 19th-century France, Sèvres and smaller ceramics firms began to reinterpret the snake-decorated platters made by Bernard Palissy, a 16th-century self-taught French potter. The result was a type of majolica called Palissy ware, which, like the originals, was festooned with odd creatures (lobsters, lizards and snakes) modeled by hand.

The late Moroccan-born, Paris-based decorator Alberto Pinto often placed Palissy ware in his clients’ living rooms, posing individual pieces on brackets against a background of stamped, gilded leather. Pinto, in turn, influenced such contemporary decorators as Harry Heissmann of New York. After 1900, people got swept up in the romanticism of Art Nouveau and ceased buying majolica. The 1970s saw a revival of interest, and in 1982, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, organized “English Majolica,” an exhibition featuring 75 examples from Minton, Wedgwood and George Jones, among other makers. 

On 1stDibs, find antique and vintage majolica tea sets, vases, candlesticks, tureens and other furniture and decorative objects.

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