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.
Minton Aesthetic Movement Plum Red Glazed Art Pottery Monkey Candlestick
By Minton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and unusual Minton Aesthetic Movement plum glazed art pottery monkey candlestick dating from around 1885. The candlestick stands on a rou...
Earthenware
A Late 19th Century Minton Ceramic Dolphin Candlestick
By Minton
Located in London, GB
A late nineteenth century Minton pottery candlestick, modelled in the form of a recumbent dolphin, supported on a circular base and painted in polychrome glaze. Stamped to the base.
Ceramic, Pottery
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
$4,177
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Japonism Style Green Minton Plate, 1876
By Minton, Christopher Dresser
Located in Paris, FR
Green Aesthetic Minton Porcelain Plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representi...
Porcelain
$300Sale Price|33% Off
H 1.38 in W 13.25 in D 10.58 in
1874 Minton Chinese Blue and White Transferware Platter
By Minton
Located in Sheffield, MA
An antique 19th century Minton Chinese blue and white transferware platter. It has a lovely pastoral scene. The underside is marke...
Pottery
Vintage Black Glazed Pottery
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Medium black glazed pottery, wabi sabi style with perfect imperfections. Overall Size: 8.5"D x 11.5"H Opening: 7"
Clay
Tall Late 19th Century Brass Repousse Church Pricket, Candlestick
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Originally used in a French chapel, this exquisite brass repousse pricket or candlestick from the late nineteenth century stands at over two and a half f...
Brass
Vintage Glazed Brown Pottery
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage Glazed Pottery Beautifully glazed and rich in character, this vintage glazed oil pot adds just the right amount of texture + warmth where you need it. Stunning glazed finish...
Clay
Black Glazed Pottery
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Medium black glazed pottery, wabi sabi style with perfect imperfections. Size 9.5"D x 10"H Opening: 4.5"
Clay
$879 / set
H 10.24 in Dm 4.73 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Ormolu Candlesticks Griotte Marble Bowls
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique French candlesticks, made of gilded bronze. At the center a bowl made of red "Griotte" marble. Under the marble bowl foliage around the stem. Made in France, at the...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Venetian Multicolored Glass Candlesticks, Late 19th Century
Located in valatie, NY
A pair of blue and white Venetian hand blown glass candlesticks with spiral columns, late 19th century. Trent Antiques has been a respec...
Blown Glass
Arts & Crafts Mintons Secessionist Vase
By Minton
Located in Petworth, GB
Arts & Crafts tubeline Secessionist Vase In blues and yellows Stamped Mintons 3547 Circa 1900 Height 13.5cm. Diameter 8cm
Pottery
$588 / set
H 15.36 in W 10.24 in D 7.09 in
Late 19th Century Renaissance Style Brass Candelabras Dolphins
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A nice pair of antique candelabras, made of brass. The candelabras have ornate ornaments and dolphins at the base. They date from about 1890. The bottom is covered with red felt. Bot...
Brass
Vintage Black Glazed Pottery
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Small black glazed pottery, wabi sabi style with perfect imperfections. Each piece is unique, embodying a one-of-a-kind charm that adds character to any space. The deep, lustrous bla...
Clay
Pair Minton Majolica Putti Candlesticks
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Minton Majolica candlesticks which feature putti draping a leafy garland around a central column. Colouration: cobalt blue, cream, green, are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Majolica