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.
Pair of 19th Century English Minton Framed Painted Ceramic Wall Plaques
By Minton
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in England circa 1880, and set in the original carved oak frames, each plaque is hand painted and stamped on the back Minton, London, England. Each porcelain, signed by the a...
Ceramic, Oak
Minton, A. D. Holland, Hand Painted China Cabinet Plate, U.K, circa 1950's
By Minton
Located in Chatham, ON
MINTON - Arthur Dale Holland (Artist/Painter, 1896-1979) - Fine and rare vintage bone china cabinet plate - hand painted - featuring a display of fr...
Gold Leaf
$330
H 2.38 in W 3.5 in D 2.63 in
Fine Georgian period Minton Porcelain Coffee Can Pattern 641, Circa 1805
By Minton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely painted porcelain coffee can made by the Minton factory, England, in the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1805 Straight sided coffee cans wer...
Porcelain
$1,081
H 16.34 in W 5.32 in D 0.79 in
Set of Three 19th Century Spanish Hand Painted Glazed Ceramic Patterned Tiles
Located in Marbella, ES
Set of three 19th century Spanish hand painted glazed ceramic patterned tiles Dimensions exclude frame.
Ceramic
$3,500 / set
H 71 in W 28.25 in D 1 in
Pair of Late 19th Century Painted Decorative Italian Wall Panels
Located in Round Top, TX
A very lovely pair of late 19th century painted decorative wall panels, Italian circa 1900. Charming romantic scenes painted on dense paper. These panels will be a delightful ornam...
Paper
Vintage Regency Minton “Henley” China - Set of 63
By Minton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated 63-piece dinnerware service by the legendary English maker Minton features the celebrated "Henley" pattern. Renowned for their superior fine bone china, this set s...
Porcelain
19th Century French Limoges Enamel Plaque in Gilt Bronze Frame
By Limoges
Located in London, GB
This beautiful Limoges enamel plaque depicts a knight in full armour. He is portrayed turning towards the viewer, as though he is about to unsheathe his sword. The knight stands...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
$1,021
H 11.03 in W 11.03 in D 0.79 in
Set of Four 19th Century Portuguese Hand Painted Glazed Ceramic Patterned Tiles
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique set of four 19th century Portuguese hand painted glazed ceramic patterned tiles with white frame Dimension do not include frame.
Ceramic
$3,426 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 9.85 in
Dinner Plates Hand Painted by Froment-Richard for Creil & Montereau circa 1880
By Creil et Montereau
Located in Paris, FR
Table set for 12 people "Le Parisien" by Creil & montereau. 12 different patterns with children playing with vegetables, eggs, frogs, nuts, snails, etc. Creil & Montereau marks with ...
Ceramic, Faience
$5,785Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in D 4.25 in
Fine Pair of 19th Century Porcelain Plaques of George and Martha Washington
By KPM Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Continental 19th century porcelain plaques each depicting George Washington, the first President of the United States and his wife Martha Washington within an ornate V...
Porcelain, Gesso, Giltwood
$1,885
H 14.25 in W 9.5 in D 5 in
Minton Majolica Wine Ewer Designed by Hugues Protât, English, circa 1875
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Minton Majolica Wine Ewer Designed by Hugues Protât (active 1835-90), English, ca. 1875, the body molded as a wine barrel with grape vines to the center, surmounted by four Bacchanalian cherubs, with a Renaissance-style shaped and scrolled spout; the entire piece from the pedestal to the spout is entwined with purple-glazed grapes and green leaves with tendrils, the handle formed by overlapping vines; the reverse with impressed marks, 'MINTONS' and design number '900,' which corresponds to 'Barrel Jug with Cupids (M)' as recorded in the Minton Majolica Ornamental Shape and Design books and partially reprinted in Bergesen. BOOK REFERENCES: Victoria Bergesen, MAJOLICA: British, Continental, and American Wares. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1989, p. 181. Minton Ornamental Shapes (i.e., design numbers) listed in Appendix D, pp. 180-182. Joan Jones, MINTON: THE FIRST TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF DESIGN AND PRODUCTION. Shrewsbury, England: Swan Hill Press, 1993, p. 348. Susan Weber et al., MAJOLICA MANIA: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States, 1850-1915, Volume Two, fig. 12.63. Full-page color photo of this actual piece. The author incorrectly dates the production of this example as 1863, but as it is impressed 'MINTONS,' it would have to be later than 1873 when the 'S' was added Minton. Victoria Cecil, MINTON MAJOLICA, Jeremy Cooper Ltd., Exhibition 7-26 June 1982, Galen Place, London, p. 48, cat. No. 17. Marilyn G. Karmason with Joan B. Stacke, Majolica, A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, New York, 1989, p. 41. The Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue for the International Exhibition 1862...
Majolica
Set of Three Antique English Minton Plates, circa 1881
By Minton
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of three antique Minton English plates with chrysanthemum motif, yellow border, black trim. Retail shop stickers on verso. Dimensions: 10" W Conditi...
Porcelain
19th Century Framed Hand Painted Painting of Family Crests
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century framed painting of family crests was hand-painted in the late 19th century and framed in the 20th century. The artist used ink and wat...
Paper
19th Century French Hand Painted Framed Porcelain Tile
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A gorgeous hand painted porcelain tile in original giltwood frame. The tile with hand painted blue birds and wildflowers in an elegant original giltwood...
Porcelain, Giltwood
Sold
H 16 in W 16 in D 2.4 in
Minton Set of 4 Porcelain Plates in Italianate Gilt Frames, a. Boullemier, 1882
By Minton
Located in London, GB
On offer is a stunning set of four framed cabinet plates made by Minton in 1882. The plates are painted by the famous porcelain artist Antonin Boullemier and are framed in gilt Italianate Rococo scroll frames with velvet cartouches. Minton was one of the pioneers of English china production alongside other great potters such as Spode, Davenport, Ridgway, Coalport and others. They were located in Staffordshire and were known specifically for their wonderfully fine white bone china and bright colours; there is a colour called "Minton Blue" which is a fresh azure blue that was very fashionable during the Victorian era. Throughout the different phases of its existence, the factory made top quality creamware, porcelain, majolica and ultimately the finest parian porcelain. Minton excelled in their decorations and gilt work; these were often executed by artists who came from the Sèvres factory in France and brought their skills with them. The plates were decorated by the famous porcelain artist Antonin Boullemier, who was the son of a Sèvres porcelain decorator and was apprenticed and employed by Sèvres before moving the England in 1881, where he was employed by Minton. For many years he worked exclusively for Minton as one of their most celebrated artists; later on his career he started working freelance from his own studio at home for various factories. Boullemier is known for beautiful portraits, cupids and mythological subjects and both 18th Century and contemporary styles. These plates are decorated with charming scenes of a lady and the set may have been meant as depictions of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. On the first plate you see a young girl standing in the fields, a vegetable garden with bean stalks in the background. It looks like a very British spring day; perhaps sunny but not very warm. On the second plate we see a lady in a dune landscape, the blue sea glittering behind the dunes in the background. The lady's cheeks are flushed - this is obviously a hot summer day. On the third plate you see the lady and a black and white dog in an autumnal forest, spotting a deer that seems to be about to run away. In true Boullemier style, the deer in the background is slightly hazy, creating a realistic mood of an autumnal forest. On the fourth plate we see the lady with a brown dog...
Porcelain