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.
Set of 4 Antique Minton Tiles of Delft Design
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four antique Minton tiles after designs by Dutch Delft tiles, sourced from an ex British private collection. Dating to circa 1860, these striking 5-inch tiles have been in ...
Clay
Collection of Ten Antique Carpet Balls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Ten carpet balls crafted in stoneware, decorated and glazed in several different colors and designs including a white cue ball.
Stoneware
$642Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.94 in W 6.5 in D 3.35 in
Collection of 8 Antique American Cloth Sad Irons, Rare & Collectibles, Set of 8
Located in Bochum, NRW
A beautiful collection of eight antique clothes irons / sad irons. They are oval-shaped and feature a cast iron base with a detachable wood handle. Ma...
Iron
Set of Four 18th Century Blue and White Delft Tiles, 1780s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Four 18th Century Blue and White Delft Tiles Framed in Custom Iron Frame. Wonderful piece to display.
Iron
$519 / set
H 3.55 in Dm 3.55 in
Antique Boule Set, Boule Balls, Pétanque, 1880s, France, Craftsmanship
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful, unique Boule set of three Boule balls and one target ball, France, late 19th century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boule balls underwent significant developmen...
Olive
$165 / set
H 3.55 in Dm 3.55 in
Pair Of Antique Boule Balls "3", Pétanque, 1880s, France, Craftsmanship
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair and one target ball, France, late 19th Century. Decorated with the numer "3" on each of the Boule balls. In the 19th century, the manufacture of b...
Olive
Large Set Of Antique Boule Balls, 13 Pieces, Pétanque, 1880s, France
Located in Greven, DE
Large Boule ball set of 13 pieces, France, late 19th Century. Unrestored, original condition with signs of age and use. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwen...
Metal, Copper, Steel
$212Sale Price / set|75% Off
H 9.85 in Dm 0.79 in
Pair of Antique Hand-Painted Longwy Plates - "Vacance" Design, France, 2Y116
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this charming pair of antique Longwy plates, each featuring the delightful "Vacance" motif. Crafted in France, these plates b...
Porcelain
Set of 4 Antique Bilboquets, France
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Beautiful set of four antique Bilboquets from France,around 1920, cup-and-bowl children toys in turned Beechwood, dark tinted, pretty patina, a set full of charm and authenticity ...
Beech
$767 / set
H 7.49 in W 8.27 in D 0.4 in
Antique Set of Dustpan and Brush in Patinated Brass and Wood 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Set of Dustpan and Brush in Patinated Brass and Wood 19th Century A very nice and decorative set of a late 19th century dustpan and a brush. Very detailed and elegant - the...
Brass
Set of Two Antique 19th Century Rural Altarpieces in Wood
Located in Leuven , BE
Set of two antique 19th C Rural Altarpieces in wood and with heavy encrusted patina 25,5 x 12,5 x 2,7 / 18,5 x 8 x 4 cm.
Wood
$365 / set
H 3.55 in Dm 3.55 in
Antique Boule Set, Boule Balls, Pétanque, 1880s, France, Craftsmanship
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful, unique Boule set of three Boule balls and one target ball, France, late 19th Century. Diameter 8,5 cm. Fantastic colour and patina! In the 19th century, antique metal boules balls experienced a renaissance that took the game of boules to a new level. These ornately crafted balls were not only instruments of the game, but also symbols of elegance and sophistication in leisure activities. Made from high-quality metals such as steel or brass, Boule balls were forged and polished by skilled craftsmen to ensure a smooth and even surface. The antique boules...
Metal
$424 / set
H 3.15 in Dm 3.15 in
Antique Boule Set, Boule Balls, Pétanque, 1880s, France, Craftsmanship
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful, unique Boule set of three Boule balls, France, late 19th century. In the 19th century, antique metal boules balls experienced a renaissance that took the game of boules to a new level. These ornately crafted balls were not only instruments of the game, but also symbols of elegance and sophistication in leisure activities. Made from high-quality metals such as steel or brass, Boule balls were forged and polished by skilled craftsmen to ensure a smooth and even surface. The antique boules...
Metal