Majolica Furniture
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Material: Majolica
French Majolica Heron Saint Clément Pitcher, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant French Majolica Heron Pitcher signed Keller and Guerin Saint Clement, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century French Majolica Egg Vase Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Egg shaped Vase Delphin Massier.
Decorated with flowers a daisy ,a pansy and a wild rose.
H / 4.3 inches.
The Massier family are known for the quality of...
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Belgium Majolica Bird Stork Pitcher
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Belgium Majolica Bird Stork Pitcher.
Category
1890s Belgian Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
French Vallauris Majolica Shell Shaped Vase in Multi Color Glazed Ceramic
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Giant Mid-century Modern Vallauris Ceramid Shell Shaped Vase. France, 1950s-1960s.
Colorful vase with mussel / shell design in glazed ceramic. The exterior part is covered by glazed ceramic in brown color with fat lava decorations in beige, yellow and blue glaze.
Rare find due to its shape.
Use it as decorative vase or flower vase adding a fresh accent in any Mediterranean, Contemporary, or Midentury decoration.
Great gift idea!
Measures: 32 cm H x 16 cm W x 13 cm D
Vallauris Maiolica Mussel Vase // French Vallauris Midcentury Vase // Falt Lava Vallauris Ceramic Shell Vase...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
French Majolica Strawberries Plate Luneville, circa 1880
By Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica strawberries plate circa 1880 Luneville.
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Mafra Palissy Majolica Lobster Plate
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Mafra Portuguese Palissy Majolica wall plate which features a lobster and four shells, sitting on an extruded clay ground. Colouration: green, brown, pink, are predominant. The piece...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Teal Ceramic Vase with Floral Decor Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Floral decor vase, 2022 hand painted majolica 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Art Nouveau floral inspired decor.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of the most representative ceramic production centres in Italy. Founded in 1976 by sisters Saura (b.1956) and Ivana (b. 1948), Bottega Vignoli stands out for its limited production, accurate details and skilful experimentation resulting in stunning unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. Their style is immediately recognizable and expressly follows the path...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$3,505 Sale Price
20% Off
French Majolica Ducklings with Snail Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica ducklings with snail & frog plate Sarreguemines, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Majolica Pitcher George Jones circa 1900, Brown Yellow and Green Colors France
By George Jones
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
George Jones water lily pitcher. Designed with large green leaves, water lily flowers. The top neck with handle circa 1900.
Brown Yellow and Green ...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Vallauris Ceramic Orange Amber Brown Fat Lava Round Astray / Bowl, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
French mid-century Vallauris ashtray / bowl in glazed ceramic.
Beautiful fat lava glazed ceramic ashtray in orange, amber, white and brown colors. Manufactured by Vallauris. France, ...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$901 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Lidded Majolica Grotesque Horned Head Vase, 19th Century
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique Majolica lidded vase moulded with a continuous relief moulded scene of putti in various activity with grotesque horned lion heads applied either side of the rim. The earth...
Category
19th Century European Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
19th Century Majolica Hen
Chicks Plate Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate with hen and chicks signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi, circa 1890.
The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important...
Category
1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Rare 19th Century Majolica Strawberries Wall Platter Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Austin, TX
Very Rare Colorful 19th Century French Majolica strawberries wall platter signed Longchamp terre de fer. The fruits are in high relief with the leaves and branches.
11.5 inches diame...
Category
1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Holdcroft Majolica Putto and Shells Dish
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Holdcroft Majolica dish which features a putto holding a torch, flanked by shells on either side, sits atop rocks embellished with seaweed. Colouration: yellow, green, turquoise, are...
Category
1880s Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Salins-lès-Bains Rare French Art Majolica Ceramic Asparagus Set, Late 19th C.
By Salins
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Majolica Ceramic Asparagus Set by Salins-lès-Bains, France, Late 19th Century.
This exquisite and rare French art majolica asparagus set, crafted by Salins-lès-Bains in t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Jerome Massier Fils Majolica Hunting Dog Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Jerome Massier Fils Majolica figural vase which features a hunting dog stood in front of a tree trunk. Colouration: white, brown, green, are predominant. The piece bears an impressiv...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Pair of Majolica Palissy Vases with Butterflies Thomas Sergent, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of 19th century Palissy chalices vases with butterflies signed Thomas Sergent, the feets are stylized seaweeds in a Renaissance style.
School of Paris.
The School of Paris was composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, Francois Maurice, Thomas Sergent, Georges Pull...
Category
1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Centerpiece / Centrepiece, Bowl, Majolica, Eichwald, Art Deco, 1920, Bohemia
By Eichwald
Located in Wien, AT
Huge pure Art Deco Centerpiece from the famous manufacturer Eichwald.
This exceptional piece is an example of pure art deco art.
The structure consists of a square base with roun...
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$2,040 Sale Price
20% Off
German Majolica Cat Wall Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely German Majolica cat with her kitten plate, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Bitossi Studio Pottery vase or pitcher is a beautiful example of Italian mid-century modern art ceramics. It is decorated in bold abstract pattern using gloss, semi-matte, and lava g...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Vintage 1985 Fitz
Floyd Majolica Tomato Basket With Pea Pod Plate
Located in Centennial, CO
An absolutely charming and collectable Fitz & Floyd vintage 1985 small majolica serving dish or table accessory of a basket of cherry tomatoes that sits on a pea pod plate! The set i...
Category
1980s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Minton Majolica Renaissance Revival Jug or Pitcher
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug or pitcher which features circular panels to the sides, depicting classical figures with dogs. (Diana, the huntress on one side...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Majolica Lily Flower Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica Lily vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an ...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Art Deco Ditmar Urbach Pitcher Czechoslovakia Flame Decor 1920-1938
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Art Deco pitcher with abstract flame design in hues of red, purple and yellow was made by Ditmar-Urbach Porcelain Factory. Urbach pottery was founded in 1882 in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemi...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Majolica Ceramic Radish Wall Salt Container, Vase
Pink Onion Salt Shaker
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of glazed ceramic radish salt wall container, vase
pink onion salt shaker
Beautiful set of Majolica ceramic radishes wall salt container and vase ...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$1,281 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Majolica Rooster By Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in Essex, MA
Imperious looking bird with an assertive stance. Well modeled and painted by the noted Florentine craftsman.
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Lavenia Angelo Biancini Maiolica Vase, 1930, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Lavenia Angelo Biancini Maiolica vase, 1930, Italy.
Category
1930s Italian Other Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Set of Glazed Ceramic Corn on the Cob Glasses and Pitcher, France, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Majolica glazed ceramic corn on the cob jug and tumbler set of four. France, 1960s.
The set is comprised by a large ceramic jug with co...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Two Lobster Plates in Clear Glass, Sweden, Mid-20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two beautiful Lobster plates made of Glass. A nice addition to your Table. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Large 19th Century Majolica Apricots Wall Platter Fives Lille
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th century French Majolica apricots platter in high relief, Fives Lille unsigned.
At the end of the 19th century, Longchamp and Fives Lille produced fruits platters of all k...
Category
1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Majolica Bud Vase with 5 Stepped Cylinders, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Modernist majolica bud vase features a complex sculptural shape with 5 stepped cylinders; minimal form of the piece is accentuated by the monochroma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Sky Large Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Glazed Majolica Italian Contemporary
Located in London, GB
SKY - Large ceramic bowl by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware.
All unique pieces, Italy, 2021. Measure: 30cm diameter....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Majolica White Cat with Dragonfly Sculpture, Italy 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful Italian pottery cat figurine features crouching white cat with half-closed eyes, getting ready to pounce on a dragonfly flying over cat's shoulder. Elegantly sculpted ceramic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
TIC for Raymor Majolica Textured Fritte Glaze Bowl, Italy 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unusual majolica bowl or catchall features wavy, gently manipulated rim, juxtaposed with complex textured Fritte glaze on the bottom of the bowl. The contrast between glossy, organi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta, Majolica
$280 Sale Price
20% Off
A Minton Majolica Dead Game Pie Tureen, Cover, and Liner, English, Dated 1859
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Minton Majolica Game Pie Tureen, Cover, and Liner, the base molded as a wicker basket with green glazed oak leaves and banded branch handles on raised feet, the cover with high rel...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Antique Majolica Quatrefoil Dogwood Cherry Blossom Creamer Pitcher Jug 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Majolica creamer pitcher / jug featuring quatrefoil form with floral cherry blossom / dogwood theme and acanthus handle.
Dimensions:
7.5" x 5" x 8.25" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Early 20th Century Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$262 Sale Price
30% Off
Large Majolica Wall Pocket Dog Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica dog wall pocke Delphin Massier.
Height / 8.5 inches.
The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family produced di...
Category
1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Palissy Ewer Manuel Mafra Caldas Da Rainha
Located in Austin, TX
Unusual Portuguese Palissy ewer signed Manuel Mafra Caldas Da Rainha with his underplate.
A sand background with a large lizard handle decorated with a t...
Category
1880s Portuguese Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Fratelli Fanciullacci Gilt and Sgraffito Vase, Italy 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Modernist vase with complex textured glaze and scraffito and gilt decor features a monochromatic gilded grape wine branch with with leaves and berries on a textured insized w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Gold
19th Century Majolica Fish Heads Oyster Plate Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th century Majolica fish heads oyster plate from North of France (Onnaing unsigned).
Reference: Page 130 "Collecting oysters plates" of J. Snyder.
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Fives Lille
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
19th century French Majolica grapesplatter in high relief, Fives Lille unsigned.
At the end of the 19th century, Longchamp and Fives Lille produced fruits platters of all kinds more...
Category
1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Hugo Lonitz Majolica Table Jardinière Stand with Partridges, Oak Tree, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Hugo Lonitz Majolica figural table Jardinière stand, naturalistically molded as an oak tree, with a pair of partridges nesting among bulrushes and grasses, on a rustic mound-form, lo...
Category
19th Century German Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica Peaches Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica vase which features deeply raised peaches hanging on a blossoming branch to the front. Plums to the reverse. Loop handles either side. Brown grou...
Category
1870s Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf Wilhelm Schiller
Son Vide-Poche
Located in Austin, TX
Small 19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf signed Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche.
High quality.
6.3 by 3.6 inches.
Wilhelm Schiller began production of porcelain and earthenware in ...
Category
1880s Czech Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Victorian Minton Majolica Oak Jug/Pitcher with Snail Handle
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features oak leaves and acorns to the sides and a snail to the handle. Colouration: brown, green, yellow, are predominant. The piece bears maker's m...
Category
1860s English Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
20th Century Italian Hand Painted Porcelain Majolica and Glass Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine and rare 20th century hand painted porcelain table, possibly of Italian origin, bespoke made for a member of the aristocracy of the early 20th century. The top of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$120,494 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Majolica Adams
Bromley Oak Leaf
Acorn Nut Creamer Pitcher Jug 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Majolica Adams & Bromley creamer pitcher / jug featuring an oak leaf and acorn nut theme with branch handle.
Dimensions:
7" x 5.5" x 7.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$367 Sale Price
30% Off
Minton Majolica Cherub Flower Holder
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica flower holder which features a cherub carrying wheatsheaf. Coloration: ochre, green, cream, are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870
Located in Austin, TX
French aqua turquoise Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870.
6 shells and space for the lemon on the center.
Category
1870s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Antique Majolica Turquoise Blue French Barbotine Dog Rose Flower Pitcher Jug 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
A very large and impressive antique Majolica French Barbotine pitcher / jug / carafe featuring a turquoise blue field with lavender purple dog rose flower blossoms with a twig / bran...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$700 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Victorian Majolica Handled Footed Flower Basket Planter Compote 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian English Majolica footed flower basket featuring a basket weave pattern with floral medallion and acanthus leaf design, footed base and double handle. Stoke on Tren...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$434 Sale Price
30% Off
Majolica Sarreguemines Fruit Pitcher, circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica fruit pitcher (cherries, strawberries, white currants, plums) signed Sarreguemines, circa 1930.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Antique Majollica Thomas Forester Crane Dogwood Creamer Pitcher Jug 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Majolica creamer pitcher or jug featuring a basketweave motif with Cranes and Dogwood flowers against a turquoise sky. Attributed to Thomas Forester.
Dimensions:
5.5" x 4" ...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$210 Sale Price
30% Off
Majolica Centerpiece with Tritons and Shell, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
This decorative majolica centerpiece features two young tritons supporting a large shell compote. The piece is crafted with impressive attention to detail: the shell’s textured surfa...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Late Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
1900s Pair, FAENZA Italy Renaissance Revival Painted Majolica Wall Plates Signed
By Deruta
Located in Miami, FL
Collectibles FAENZA from the Early 19th Century, made in Italy decorative Majolica hand-painted Wall Plates.
Depicting Lisa Bel and Faenza mirror facing each other.
Deep blue colors ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950.
High relief of 2 fishs, seaweeds, garlic.
Nautical style.
8.5 inches diameter
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Mid-century French Majolica Cheese Platter Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-century French Majolica Cheese Platter Vallauris
Decorated with tomato,onion,pepper.
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Majolica Duck Tureen Sarreguemines, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large fine Majolica duck tureen signed Sarreguemines, circa 1880.
The base imitate the water of the pond.
Category
1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Set of Three Majolica Pieces, 19th
20th Century, Floral Hand-Painted Designs
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of Three Majolica Pieces, 19th & 20th Century, Floral Hand-Painted Designs
Description:
This beautiful set of three Majolica pieces, consisting of a sugar bowl, a plate, and a small dish, is a charming blend of 19th- and 20th-century craftsmanship. The hand-painted floral motifs, featuring red flowers intertwined with brown and green branches and leaves, create a rich, organic aesthetic. While two pieces date back to the 19th century, the small dish from the 20th century complements the set with its slightly deeper green glaze, adding a harmonious contrast to the ensemble.
Key features include:
Authentic Majolica Craftsmanship: Made from glazed ceramic, these pieces exemplify the vivid, glossy finishes and delicate relief work characteristic of Majolica pottery.
Elegant Floral Decor: The intricately painted red flowers, accompanied by earthy brown branches and lush green leaves, lend a natural and timeless charm to each piece.
Harmonious Color Palette: While each item features a unique glaze, the cohesive color scheme ensures they complement one another, making them ideal for display or functional use.
Versatile Use: Perfect as a decorative set for a kitchen or dining room, these pieces can also serve a practical purpose—the sugar bowl for sweeteners, the plate for serving, and the dish for small delicacies.
Antique Patina & Glossy Finish: The natural patina and high-gloss glaze highlight the rich colors and intricate detailing, making this set a beautiful collector's item.
Historical Charm: Combining two 19th-century pieces with a 20th-century Majolica dish, this set is a wonderful representation of traditional European ceramic artistry.
This Majolica set of three is more than just tableware—it is a testament to historic craftsmanship, offering both decorative appeal and everyday functionality. Whether displayed in a classic or rustic interior or used as part of a unique kitchen setting, it adds a touch of vintage elegance and timeless artistry.
Keywords: 19th-century Majolica pottery, hand-painted floral ceramics, vintage Majolica sugar...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Asparagus Plate Clairefontaine, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica asparagus plate signed Clairefontaine, circa 1880.
Category
1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Antique and Vintage Majolica Platters, Pottery and Other Furniture and Decor
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 majolica plates, pitchers, decorative objects and other pieces 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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