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.
Victorian Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate by Minton, Ceramic, England, 1880
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
White Majolica Neptune Platter Minton, circa 1865
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica mythological platter which features four figural panels molded with Juno, Neptune, Mercury and Selene signed Minton, circa 1856. This platter had a rare turquoise blue back...
Ceramic
19th Century Blue & White Daisy Platter Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century blue & white daisy platter signed Minton.
Ceramic
19th Century Minton White Majolica Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Minton white Majolica oyster plate. Dated 1880.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Strawberries Minton Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica cobalt strawberries plate signed Minton.
Ceramic
19th Century Minton Pink Flowers Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Minton Pink Flowers Oyster Plate.
Ceramic
19th Century Minton Pink Flowers Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Minton Pink Flowers Oyster Plate.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Strawberries Minton Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica strawberries plate signed Minton.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Strawberries Minton Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica strawberries plate signed Minton.
Ceramic
Victorian Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate by Minton, Ceramic, England, 1880
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
Set of 6 Antique Barrowclough & Sanders Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of six early 19th century tiles decorated Barrowclough & Sanders on a Minton tile. In Neoclassical style, each 5 inch tile showcases classically dressed figures, musicians, an...
Clay
Large English Bird Plate Mintons, circa 1900
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Large English blue bird plate in a landscape signed Mintons (mark 1873 to 1912).
Ceramic
Arts & Crafts Minton Pottery Kingfisher Tile Designed by Christopher Dresser
By Christopher Dresser, Minton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An Arts & Crafts Minton tile in the Kingfisher pattern, designed by Christopher Dresser, ca. 1870. Arts & Crafts designer Christopher Dresser’s works were true to the movement’s c...
Earthenware
Large 19th Century Neo-Renaissance Majolica Palissy Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century Neo-Renaissance Palissy Plate signed Minton. 9.8 inches diameter.
Ceramic
Reclaimed Minton Tile Panel of Panoramic Seascape
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of reclaimed Minton blue and white glazed tiles depicting a panoramic seascape. Comprising of 95 six-inch tiles and displayed on a custom m...
Clay
Arts & Crafts Minton Pottery Tile Designed by Christopher Dresser
By Christopher Dresser, Minton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Minton pottery tile designed by Christopher Dresser in 1873. This tile, designed by Christopher Dresser and made in 1873, exemplifies the Aesthetic Movement ethos of the home as...
Earthenware
Twelve Framed Minton & Co. Tiles Designed by Walter Crane
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare group of twelve 19th century ceramic Minton & Co. tiles in later frames, depicting the artistic retelling of nursery rhymes by English illustrator, Walter Crane (1845-1915). T...
Ceramic, Wood
A.W.N. Pugin Glazed Coat of Arms Tile by Minton & Co
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique A.W.N. Pugin glazed encaustic tile by Minton & Co depicting the coat of arms of the Talbot family, Earls of Shrewsbury. This 6 inch square tile is adorned with a ramp...
Clay
Pair of Minton Bird Tiles Designed by Christopher Dresser, circa 1875
By Minton, Christopher Dresser
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of framed Minton bird tiles designed by Christopher Dresser ca. 1875. These tiles are beautiful examples of Arts & Crafts pottery. Arts & Cr...
Earthenware
French Majolica Jugendstil Art Nouveau Ceramic Plate, circa 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful French Majolica wall plate from the Jugendstil / Art Nouveau period (ca 1900). Elegant design with a lovely lady in the middle. Nu...
Ceramic
$336Sale Price|31% Off
H 12 in W 15 in D 2 in
Minton Antique Royal Blue Cuckoo Cockatrice Oval Platter
Located in Lomita, CA
This is the rare blue Cuckoo Cockatrice Minton oval platter. It is in very good condition without chips or cracks or any other blemishes. This platter is from the 1800s. There is an area on the surface that is cloudy or off color...
Ceramic
Minton 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Fish Platter
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This fish platter is a true work of art! Classic Aesthetic Movement whimsical decoration with fish in motion and in conversation with the viewer, it has a three-dimensional feel. Rea...
Porcelain
19th Century Austrian Majolica Schutz Cilli Blansko Crawfish / Lobster Plate
By Schütz Cilli
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Austrian Majolica crawfish / Lobster plate circa 1890 signed Schutz Cilli Age is approximate. No noted restoration or repairs. Good condition for age. A beautiful plate.
Majolica, Pottery
Set of 5 Majolica Plates, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A beautiful set of five antique French majolica plates, featuring an elegant relief design of vine leaves, grape clusters, and branches. Their rich palette of greens, browns, and cre...
Majolica
$1,792Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 13.39 in
Set of 12 Majolica Oyster Plates with Matching Server, 19th Century
By Longchamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This striking set comprises twelve majolica oyster plates and one large matching serving platter, beautifully crafted in the style of Longchamp, France. Each plate features a vivid g...
Faience, Ceramic, Majolica
Antique 19th Century French Majolica Floral Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique French majolica floral plate, circa 1890. This beautiful French country style plate has hand painted pink flowers and leaves on a ligh...
Majolica
$1,440
H 6 in W 13.5 in D 5.5 in
Longchamp Majolica Asparagus Set: 10 Plates & Platter, Circa 1900-1920
Located in Winter Park, FL
A beautiful French Majolica faience asparagus set by Longchamp. Ten octagonal plates with hand painted country flowers on a cream background with raised edges and sauce compartment f...
Majolica
$2,287Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 10.24 in
Set of Three Majolica Trompe L'oeil Seafood Wall Plates as Wall Decoration
Located in Barcelona, ES
Trompe L'Oeil wall decoration / decorative wall plates, majolica, ceramic, Portugal, 1940s-1950s A colorful wall composition comprised by three Majolica glazed ceramic wall plates wi...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Adamo Gold Ground Porcelain Plates, Complete Set of Twelve
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Adamo Gold Ground Porcelain Plates, Complete Set of Twelve Designed 1954, this gold-ground edition circa 1970s This complete set of twelve Fornasetti porcelain plat...
Porcelain
$2,296
H 19 in W 19 in D 1.25 in
Large Victorian Gothic Minton tile designed by A. W. N. Pugin in ebonised frame
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Large 12" square Minton polychrome tile designed by A. W. N. Pugin in ebonised oak frame. Minton tiles of this scale are relatively rare.
Ceramic
$440
H 1.15 in Dm 9.45 in
19th Century Sarreguemines Majolica Seaweed and Shell Barbotine Oyster Plate
By Sarreguemines
Located in London, GB
Creating a wonderful display for Oysters or sea food this French Majolica oyster plate in lustrous deep colouring, but the well thought of maker Sarreguemines, circa 1890. Six scallo...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Victorian Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate by Minton, Ceramic, England, 1880
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
Victorian Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate by Minton, Ceramic, England, 1880
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
Minton Christopher Dresser Japonisme Crane Tile
By Christopher Dresser, Minton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Japonisme Aesthetic Movement tile designed by Christopher Dresser for Minton circa 1875. Aesthetic Movement designer Christopher Dresser’s ...
Earthenware
A.W.N. Pugin Glazed Coat of Arms Tile by Minton & Co
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique A.W.N. Pugin glazed encaustic tile by Minton & Co depicting the coat of arms of the Talbot family, Earls of Shrewsbury. This 6 inch square tile is adorned with a rampant ...
Clay
19th Century Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Neo-Renaissance Palissy Plate signed Minton.
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Neo-Renaissance Palissy Plate signed Minton.
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Fruit and Flowers Tile
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica tile which features an assemblage of fruit, flowers and leaves, including an apple, a lemon and a pinecone. Ribbons on either side. Colouration: turquoise, green, whi...
Majolica
19th Century Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica Aqua Oyster plate Minton.
Ceramic
19th Century Minton's China Delft Blue and White Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Minton's China Delft blue and white oyster plate. Japonisme Period.
Faience
19th Century Green Majolica Oyster Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th-century Victorian green Majolica oyster plate signed Minton.
Ceramic, Faience