Majolica Mermaids Jardinière by Minton

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Majolica Mermaids Jardinière by Minton

About the Item

This monumental majolica jardinière by Minton represents the artistic heights of this highly important British firm. The design, which features two mermaids supporting a scallop shell, was used by Minton to represent their creations in majolica at nearly all of the important international exhibitions of the late 19th century, including South Kensington in 1871, Vienna in 1873, Philadelphia in 1876 and at the Imperial Institute in London in 1894. The form is attributed to the celebrated French sculptor Albert E. Carrier-Belleuse, and it was also made in a smaller version as a table centerpiece. A true masterpiece from this British firm, the jardinière fully displays the vigorous modeling and vibrant lead glaze that makes Minton's majolica so beloved. One of the best-known pottery firms ever to operate, Minton was almost wholly responsible for the creation and development of Victorian majolica. Led by three generations of the Minton family, the company consistently produced excellent pottery in a variety of designs. The natural world was a tremendous source of inspiration, and Minton majolica featuring animal and floral motifs were especially prized. Minton's innovative and often imitated style was a result in large part of the work of Joseph Léon Francois Arnoux, Minton's chemist and art director from 1848 to 1892. Arnoux developed majolica for Minton in 1849, seeking to emulate the work of the famed 16th-century French Renaissance potter Bernard Palissy. Stamped "Minton / 1301" Circa 1875 39 1/2" wide x 12 5/8" deep x 24" high References: The Masterpieces of the Centennial International Exhibition, 1876, by W. Smith, p. 182 (illustrated) Minton: The First Two Hundred Years of Design & Production, Shrewsbury, 1993, by J. Jones, p. 155 (illustrated).

Creator:
Minton (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Depth: 12.63 in (32.09 cm)
Style:
Rococo (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Majolica
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1875
Condition:
Repaired.
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31-28481stDibs: LU891123856212

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Minton

Pottery is one of the oldest decorative art forms, and Minton is one of its historical masters. For more than 250 years, the English company was a premier producer of porcelain and ceramic wares. Its factory was known for detailed and brightly colored Victorian tableware, including dinner plates and serving pieces.

Thomas Minton founded the Minton factory in 1793 in Stoke-upon-Trent, England. It initially made earthenware but introduced bone china in 1798. When Minton died in 1836, the company passed to his son, Herbert Minton. The younger Minton was a savvy businessman with an eye for design. He introduced glossy majolica earthenware to the factory’s repertoire and hired skilled artists and designers like Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, boosting the company’s reputation.

In 1851, Minton debuted its majolica at the Great Exhibition in London. It became a royal family favorite and was even used to tile the Royal Dairy at Windsor Home Park. Minton majolica was also displayed on the monumental Saint George and the dragon fountain at the 1862 London International Exhibition.

Colin Minton Campbell, a nephew of Herbert Minton, took over the family business in 1858. He led the company to the head of the 1870s English art pottery movement. In the 1890s, French porcelain artist Marc-Louis Solon helped modernize Minton with his Art Nouveau designs.

Minton ceased operating as an independent company when it merged with Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd. in 1968. It was the end of an era, but not the end of widespread appreciation for Minton ceramics.

In 1982, the ”English Majolica” exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum featured 75 Minton pieces. When the Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened its British Galleries in 2020, it included a display of three colorful Minton majolica bird sculptures. Minton pottery was also on display from September 2021 to January 2022, along with other English pottery, at the Bard Graduate Center’s ”Majolica Mania” exhibition.

On 1stDibs, find exquisite Minton serveware, decorative objects, wall decorations and more.