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
$1,051
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
$993
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
$3,330 / 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
19th Century English Minton Majolica Oyster Plates Pair
By Minton
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of late 19th Century English Minton Majolica oyster plates with six oyster wells and a large well for crackers surrounding a center well for sauce. Luminous cream and pink gla...
Majolica
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
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
$270
H 1.07 in Dm 8.47 in
Regina Gouda Delft Hand-Painted Plate Red Peacock & Floral Motif Holland, 1950s
By Regina Company, Delft
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Regina Gouda Delft Hand-Painted Plate – Peacock & Floral Motif with Gold Trim, Made in Holland, A beautifully hand-painted Dutch Delft plate by Regina, Gouda, Holland, featuring an ...
Earthenware
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
$3,066
H 21.66 in W 33.67 in D 1.38 in
Pair of 19th Century Polychrome Painted Ecclesiastical Decorative Wall Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of 19th century polychrome painted ecclesiastical decorative wall panels, circa 1850. Each depicting a religious scene with haloed figures in vibrant shades of gilt, red and ...
Wood, Paint
$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
A 19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque of Mary Magdalene
By KPM Porcelain
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautifully painted porcelain plaque in original giltwood frame. The image of Mary Magdalene after the original Italian artist, Pompeo Batoni. The measurements framed are 16 inch...
Porcelain, Giltwood