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.
English Antique Minton Tile Roman Style Mosaic Wall Panel
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A framed collection of antique English Minton tiles creating a decorative roman style mosaic wall panel. Dating from the late 19th century, this tile...
Ceramic, Wood
Minton Hollins Antique Renaissance Style Tiled Frieze Panel
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 4 antique dust-pressed ceramic tiles by Minton Hollins (stamped) creating a decorative blue and white glazed frieze panel depicting a renaissance style winged cherub playing...
Ceramic
$4,250
H 33.25 in W 25 in D 3 in
"Samson and the Lion, " Large, Rare Art Deco Sculptural Panel with Tile Mosaic
By Valentin Shabaeff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A tour de force example of Art Deco wall sculpture, this depiction of Samson slaying the lion was made by Valentin Shabaeff, a Russian-Canadian artist who settled in Montreal. Shabae...
Ceramic
$474Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in W 12.01 in D 1.19 in
Decorative Carved Wood Panel, Renaissance Style, France, 19th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Decorative Carved Panel France, 19th Century 15,5 x L 30,5 x 3 cm Carved in richly grained wood, this 19th-century decorative panel draws direct inspiration from Renaissance ornamen...
Wood
Italian Rococo Terracotta Frieze
Located in Chireno, TX
Italian Rococo terracotta frieze in superb condition from the mid-18th century.
Terracotta
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.5 in W 13 in D 0.75 in
"Male Nude Frieze", Art Deco Sculptural Panel, Bertoni, Traction Avant Designer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the 1930s, when Italy was once again valorizing and idealizing the male nude -- witness the famous crescent of nude male athletes at the Foro Italico in Rome -- this silvered bron...
Bronze
$1,039Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 13.19 in D 1.38 in
Antique Classical Wall Frieze, Continental, Relief Plaque, Grand Tour, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique classical wall frieze. A Continental, silvered copper Grand Tour relief plaque in later frame, dating to the late Victorian perio...
Copper
$2,127
H 18.71 in W 18.71 in D 1.58 in
Brutalist Abstract Ceramic Tile Wall Panel / Wall Decoration, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rare Ceramic Tiles Abstract Wall Mounted Sculpture / Wall Decoration Spain, 1950s. Eye-catching series of decorative tiles mounted on black base as a wall sculpture. Made of four squ...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 28.75 in D 1.25 in
Heidi Melano Contemporary Sculptural Mosaic Wall Panel
By Heidi Melano 1
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderfully decorative mosaic wall art sculpture executed by Heidi Melano the world renowned artist responsible for multiple works completed for Fernand Leger, Chagall, Braque. Hand-crafted, beautifully proportioned, this rectangle mosaic is inlaid in a slim frame. This rare work of art would make a great accent piece would enhance any wall. A true iconic piece by this artist. Signed on the bottom right, back of panel also signed with Heidi Melano's initials. Measures: Depth 1.25 in. x Width 28.75 in. x Height 20 in. Would enhance any traditional, mid-century, contemporary, modern, country, beach house, ski resort setting. About The Artist: Heidi Melano, her maiden name Heidi Hoegger, she was born in Geneva on April 20, 1929. Granddaughter of the great Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler, she was passionate about art from an early age: she created, painted and lets her imagination speak by expression through different techniques. Very quickly, she wanted to become a mosaic artist. At the age of 23, she won a mosaic competition with her work "La Volière". On this occasion, she meets Lino Melano...
Ceramic, Glass
Floral Mosaic Tile Wall Hanging / Plaque
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand crafted mosaic tile wall plaque. Cobalt blue vase with cut flowers. Signed verso, unknown? Retains original solid oak frame.
Ceramic, Oak
$250
H 9.25 in W 9.25 in D 5 in
Antique Persian Iznik Qajar Style Ceramic Pottery Square Tile Hunter & Horse C4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Persian Iznik Qajar style ceramic pottery square tile horse riding hunter C4. Item feature original crackle glazed finish, heavy ceramic pottery construction, very impressive...
Ceramic
$474
H 26.78 in W 17.72 in D 1.58 in
Copper Wall Panel with the Coat of Arms of English Family, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb copper wall pannel representing the coat of arms of a 19th century English noble family. It rests on a mahogany frame. Very nice work. Object of ...
Copper
$1,850Sale Price|56% Off
H 29.75 in W 59.25 in D 1.13 in
Mexican Modern Mosaic Tile Wall Sculpture Signed Genaro Alvarez
By Genaro Alvarez
Located in Houston, TX
Large Mexican Modern Mosaic Tile Wall Sculpture Signed Genaro Alvarez. Our mid century modern wall sculpture is made up of an abstract ceramic tile design mounted on wood with a bra...
Brass
Mosaic Inspired Wall Panel Made from Repurposed Tole Elements
Located in Dallas, TX
Mosaic Inspired Wall Panel Made from Repurposed Tole Elements Piece from our one of a kind collection, Le Monde. Exclusive to Brendan Bass. Globally curated by Brendan Bass, L...
Metal
Sold
H 16.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
Minton Majolica Hanging Planter Basket, Bird's Nest, Cherries, Dated 1872
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Majolica Hanging Planter/Basket, the planter molded as a birds nest with red glazed cherries and green leaves, the interior glazed in turquoise, t...
Majolica