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 Majolica Acorn and Snail Jug/pitcher
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, ochre, are predominant. The piece bears maker's ma...
Majolica
19th Century Victorian Majolica Minton Lily Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Victorian Majolica Minton Lily Pitcher.
Majolica, Ceramic
Minton Majolica Blackberry Jug
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features a blackberry bush bearing fruit. Barrel effect ground. Brown ground version. Colouration: brown, green, blue, are predominant. Marks includ...
Majolica
Majolica Art Pottery Pewter Mounted Jester Jug, 1870
By Minton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique Victorian majolica pewter mounted lidded pottery jester jug by renowned makers Minton and dated 1870. The earthenware jug is of tall waisted ...
Earthenware
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English Minton Majolica Pottery Blue Pottery Beer Jug Pitcher 1870
By Minton
Located in Portland, OR
Antique English Minton majolica jug/pitcher, circa 1870. A very handsome majolica jug, with a cobalt blue background, the spout of the jug is decorated with a yellow glazed mask of a...
Majolica, Pottery
English Minton Aesthetic Movement Majolica Pineapple Palissy Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England, a Majolica glazed pitcher in the Palissy style, formed as a pineapple, registered and dated October 5th, 1858. From a set of thr...
Earthenware
English Minton Aesthetic Movement Majolica Pineapple Palissy Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England, a Majolica glazed pitcher in the Palissy style, formed as a pineapple, registered and dated October 5th, 1858. From a set of thr...
Earthenware
Blue Victorian Majolica Pitcher Banana Leaf Minton, circa 1859
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th pastel blue Majolica banana leaf pitcher signed Minton dated October 1859.
Majolica
Large Victorian Minton Majolica Lily Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, white, dark pink, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the Minton pottery...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Cream Jug with Snail Handle
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica creamer which features a blossoming branch, snail shell on handle and feet. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, gree...
Majolica
Minton Towered Jug w/ Pewter Lid & Medieval Dancers, English, date code 1876.
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Towered Jug w/ Pewter Lid & Medieval Dancers, English, date code 1876. For over 28 years we have been among the Nation’s preeminent specialists in f...
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Wheat And Leaves Jug Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features corn forming the handle. The sides in the form of banana leaves. Colouration: green, yellow, are predominant. Marks include a factory speci...
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...
Majolica
Large Minton Majolica Lily Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, white, dark pink, are predominant. The piece bears m...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Lily Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, dark pink, white, are predominant.
Majolica
$420Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.75 in W 5.25 in D 6.25 in
Antique Majolica Fielding Bamboo Basketweave Hummingbird Butterfly Pitcher Jug
By Simon Fielding
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English Aesthetic movement Majolica pitcher or jug featuring a bamboo and basketweave design with hummingbirds, butterfly and flowers, turquoise interior. British Registrati...
Majolica
Onnaing Majolica Coligny Art Nouveau Pitcher/Jug, France, c. 1880
By Frie Onnaing
Located in London, GB
A bright and colourful Art Nouveau Majolica pitcher made by Frie Onnaing in northern France in c. 1880. This design is known as Coligny, and features a combination of groups of hyd...
Ceramic
English Majolica Pitcher with Flowers, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
English Majolica pitcher with flowers, circa 1890 Measures: H 6", L 5.5" et 3.5".
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century French Orchies Majolica Rabbit Pitcher
By Orchies
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare French majolica barbotine rabbit pitcher by Orchies, circa 1890. Model number LP2 on reverse. This highly collectible pitcher is depicted as a wh...
Majolica
$520Sale Price|34% Off
H 13 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in
19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher
By Saint-Clément
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An unusual and very quirky vintage Majolica barbotine water or wine pitcher in the shape of a mallard duck, made by Keller et Guérin's earthenware factory at Saint Clément, near Luné...
Faience, Majolica
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 7.88 in
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 ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$1,214Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in
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...
Ceramic, Majolica
$965 / item
H 9.5 in W 6 in D 7.5 in
Wedgwood English Majolica Snail Shell and Ivy Pitcher date marked 1870
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English Wedgwood Majolica pitcher, an aesthetic movement mold showing a snail shell against sprays of climbing ivy on a tortoiseshell ground. A branch form handle, yellow ochre ri...
Earthenware
$1,250 / set
H 18 in W 9 in D 13 in
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Silver Plated Pitcher on Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent classical American fancy silver plated ice water pitcher and swing stand serving set. Circa 1860s Exquisitely crafted in the mid-19th cent...
Silver Plate
Victorian George Jones Majolica Rustic Blossom Pitcher
By George Jones
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
George Jones Majolica jug/pitcher which features pink and white blossom (hawthorn or mayflower), and green leaves on brown, bark effect ground and a rustic branch...
Majolica
$325
H 14 in W 8 in D 8 in
Antique Stoneware Pottery 2 Gallon Water Jug Pitcher Blue Paint Decorated "2"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Stoneware Pottery 2 Gallon Water Jug with Blue Paint Decorated "2". Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 8" W x 8" D
Pottery
19th Century French Pitcher
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century French Jersey pitcher.
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Mermaid and Cherub Wine Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features a handle in the form of a mermaid with entwined tail, a satyr mask below the spout and cherubs hanging from grape vines across the sides. T...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Lily Leaves Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features overlapping leaves and a stem-like handle. Colouration: green, brown, white, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the Minton ...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Cellini Ewer Jug
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica ewer with a mythological theme which features putti, birds and vine fruits. The ewer has a tapered neck, with mask head and Sphinx handle. Sits on circular fluted foo...
Majolica
Victorian Minton Majolica Lily Pad and Flower Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, white, dark pink, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the Minton pottery...
Majolica
1880 Minton Porcelain Pitcher with Feather Motif
By Minton
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bulbous water pitcher. It was made from porcelain by the English manufacturer Minton ca. 1880. The whole jug is covered in feather motives painted in vibrant ...
Porcelain, Paint
Minton Majolica Pottery Ale Jug Decorated with Hops
By Minton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine early and unusual Minton majolica art pottery ale jug decorated with relief fruiting designs dating from 1866. The finely made pottery jug is of round bulbous shape with a pin...
Majolica, Pottery
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 p...
Majolica
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 pre...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Pitcher with Ferns and Pink Berries, English, Dated 1860
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Majolica pitcher with ferns and pink berries, the reverse with impressed British Registry lozenge and Minton date cipher for 1860. This...
Majolica
Sold
H 8.5 in W 8.5 in D 6.5 in
Minton Majolica Large Christmas Wine Ewer with Bacchus Mask, Cobalt, Dated 1868
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Majolica large Christmas wine ewer, the body of the jug with relief molded holly branches encircling, with mistletoe, on a cobalt blue ground, the spout with a Bacchus mask...
Majolica
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. Bark effect ground. Colouration: brown, green, yellow, are predominant. The p...
Earthenware
English Minton Aesthetic Movement Majolica High Pineapple Palissy Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England, a majolica glazed pitcher in the Palissy style, formed as a pineapple, registered and dated October 5th, 1858. From a set of thr...
Earthenware