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, 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
Catalan Diaz Costa Hand-Painted Ceramic Plate, Circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceramic hand painted plate artwork by Catalan artist Diaz Costa, circa 1960. Enrich your dining experience with this stunning traditional hand-painted ceramic plate by renowned Cata...
Ceramic
Pair of 19th Century English Minton Ceramic Plaques by J. E. Dean
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring architectural character and Victorian artistry to an interior with this elegant pair of antique ceramic wall plaques. Crafted in England circa 1890, each hand-painted Minton plaque...
Ceramic, Oak
$3,245 / 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
$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
Antique Set Eight Hand-Painted Minton Plates Depicting Fish Signed A. Holland
By Minton
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite and beautifully made set of Eight Hand-Painted Minton Porcelain Plates Depicting Fish signed A. Holland originate from England, Circa 1900. The border of each plate f...
Porcelain
$283Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1 in Dm 8.75 in
Antique Ridgway Porcelain Botanical Plates, Hand Painted, Circa 1830
By Ridgway Porcelain
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful pair of very decorative, Porcelain Botanical plates by John Ridgway, of Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire Potteries, England, dating to the William IVth period of th...
Porcelain
Mason's Ironstone Desert Plate, Hand Painted, Circa 1818
By Mason's Ironstone
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good hand painted Mason's ironstone Desert Plate, in the Fence, Rock and Tree gilded pattern, from their earliest George IIIrd period, circa 1818. The piece is well p...
Ironstone
$159Sale Price|20% Off
H 1 in W 9 in D 9 in
Vintage Famille Rose Hand-Painted Ceramic Plate, Chinese Export
Located in Lomita, CA
The turquoise and green touches in this famille rose plate with strokes of white and yellow make it irresistible. This fits into the Famille Rose Mandarin...
Enamel
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Cabinet Plate, Hand Painted, Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Worcester, GB
19th Century Meissen Hand Painted Cabinet Plate 19th century Meissen porcelain cabinet plate. Finely hand painted to the centre with a dramatic classical scene depicting a man and w...
Porcelain
17th Century Dutch Delft Blue & White Plate, Hand Painted Chinoiserie, 9in
By Delft
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Rare antique Dutch Delftware plate dating to the late 17th – early 18th century. Hand-painted in cobalt blue on a white tin-glazed earthenware body, this plate features a classic chi...
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Volute Shell Spoon Warmer
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica spoon warmer which features a volute shell resting on coral. Colouration: yellow, brown, cream, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the Minton pottery....
Majolica
$200 / set
H 0.79 in W 9.06 in D 7.88 in
Mintons, England, Two Antique Plates in Hand-Painted Faience, Chinese Style
Located in København, Copenhagen
Mintons, England. Two antique plates in hand-painted faience. Chinese style, early 20th century. Largest measures: 23.5 x 20.5 cm. In excellent condi...
Faience
Minton Pigeon Pie Tureen
By Minton
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Minton Majolica pigeon pie tureen with wickerwork design. Supported by three realistically modelled grey fantailed pigeons roosting...
Majolica
"Vintage Palissy Style Hand-Painted Ceramic Plate, 9\" Diameter, 1950"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Palissy Style art pottery fruit and leaf plate by Caldas Da Rainha Portuguese Measures: 9" diameter x 2.5" height.
Ceramic, Paint
$3,800 / set
H 4 in W 10 in D 10 in
A Fine 19th Century Hand-painted Sevres Porcelain Cabinet Plate & Saucer
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Fine 19th Century Hand-painted Sevres Porcelain Cabinet Plate & Saucer Circa 1770 Origin: France Plate Depth: 10" Width: 10" He...