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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
Art Nouveau Handmade Imperiale Royale, NIMY Planter Jardinière, 1930 Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant Handmade Majolica Hand-glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1920. Imperiale Royale, NIMY Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant deta...
Category

1920s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Antique French Onnaing Majolica Pumpkin Cachepot Jardiniere Planter, circa 1880
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French Onnaing majolica pumpkin cachepot / jardiniere / planter, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This fine jardiniere is a nice large size decorated with vibr...
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

20th Century Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Gerbing & Stephan, AT ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare Art Nouveau majolica vase by the world famous manufactory of Gerbing & Stephan from the early period in Austria around 1910. The beautiful shaped grey blue color...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Vintage Animal Figure Figural Group Italian Ceramic XL Roosters Porcelain
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Art Deco mid Century Italian porcelain 2 roosters on a tree trunk Material: Porcelain, Ceramic, Tin glazed Design: In the manner of Cacciapuoti Origin: Italy, first half 20th century...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

Antique Blue Art Nouveau Vase Rococo Style 38cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Ceramic vase made of majolica earthenware, elaborately decorated with a typical Art Nouveau design, featuring leaves, stems, and curves inspired by the rocaille or rococo style, circ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890. Height / 4 inches. Lenght / 5.2 by 2.5 inches.
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Vallauris Yellow White Brown Ceramic Fat Lava Round Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
French Mid-Century Vallauris ashtray / bowl in glazed ceramic. Beautiful fat lava glazed ceramic ashtray in yellow, amber, white and brown colors. Manufactured by Vallauris. France, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Large Handled 19th Century French Majolica Flowers Vase
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century French Majolica Flowers Vase, Impressionist period and style. 22 inches Height.  
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of 2 fishs, seaweeds, shells, onion , oyster. Nautical style. 10 inches diameter  
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves Cache Pots Luneville Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves signed Luneville Cache Pots Circa 1890, H / 7 inches , D / 9 inches by 7 inches.
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare French Majolica Rabbit Pitcher, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica beige pitcher rabbit with a medal 1900, made for the International Exhibition in Paris of 1900. The pitcher is stamped by the store where he was sold Compagnie Franco...
Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Rooster Tureen Caugant
Located in Austin, TX
French country majolica rooster tureen, circa 1950 signed Caugant.
Category

1950s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Art Nouveau Majolica Planter Jardiniere by Hector Guimard Barbotine
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Hector Guimard was a renowned French architect and designer who is best known for his Art Nouveau style. He was born in Lyon in 1867 and later moved to Paris, where he became a promi...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Ceramic Hand-Painted Candlestick Candle Holder by DeSimone, Italy
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This vintage figural candlestick by Giovanni Desimone Italy is a unique and eye-catching piece of decorative art. DeSimone was a renowned Italian ceramicist and designer who worked in the mid-20th century, known for his whimsical and colorful ceramic sculptures...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Stork Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant and rare Majolica stork with a bamboo vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels an...
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Bitossi Aldo Londi Midcentury Vintage Italian Large Ceramic Vase/Pitcher, 1960s
Located in Valencia, VC
Rare Bitossi for Ceramiche Paoli Large Vase – Mid-Century Neolithic-Inspired Design A striking example of Aldo Londi’s masterful work, this large ceramic vase embodies the timeless influence of Neolithic utility pottery, reinterpreted through Bitossi’s signature craftsmanship. Featuring the iconic sgraffito hand decor, inspired by Etruscan ceramics, this piece is part of the Sahara line, distinguished by its earthy, textured aesthetic. Unlike the standard Bitossi Sahara...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica, Stoneware

Art Nouveau Faience Handled Vase with Drip Glaze, Belgium
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking large ceramic vase features the organic, rounded shape with 3 curved, free-flowing decorative handles. It is decorated in characteristic Belgian Art Nouveau style with the u...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

A Stunning French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Centerpiece by Fives-Lille
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Stunning French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Centerpiece by Fives-Lille  France, circa 1900s, Gustave de Bruyn & Fils, Fives-Lille  A stu...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Antique Onnaing Majolica Love Birds Parakeets Jardiniere Cachepot, Circa 1880
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French Onnaing majolica barbotine love birds parakeets cachepot / jardiniere / planter, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This fine jardiniere is a nice large s...
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Large Majolica Wild Rose Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Wild Rose Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900. H / 10.5 inches , L / 11.3 inches , D / 6 inches. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and p...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Country Majolica Pheasant Tureen, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pheasant tureen from Caugant, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Mid Century Vase by Deruta Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A unique piece by the renowned producer Deruta of Umbria, Italy. This piece is produced in the 1950's and has a greek motif in vibrant pink, white, black and gold. The condition is p...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Galgo Greyhound Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding Italian Greyhound statue in glazed and hand painted terracotta. Perfectly placed on a pedestal stylized as a cushion, lifelike ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Fratelli Fanciullacci Majolica Vase with Floral Decor, Italy Mid Century
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unusual vase with complex, slightly textured glaze features applied relief in shape of abstract flowers and leaves. Top and bottom parts of the vase are decorated with delicate gree...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Antique Belgian Wasmuel Majolica Barbotine Sunflower Jardiniere Cachepot c. 1880
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique Belgian Wasmuel majolica barbotine sunflower cachepot / jardiniere / planter, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This fine jardini...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Palissy footed wood box jardiniere School of Paris. A large spotted fish on the front of the jardiniere surrounded by leaves and white dai...
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Art Deco Italian Ceramic Animal Figurine Macaw Parrot Porcelain Bird Figure
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Art Deco tall Italian animal Figurine Ceramic Parrot Macaw on a tree trunk Material: porcelain, ceramic, tin glazed Design: Cacciapuoti style...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

Rare Minton Majolica Posy Vase, circa 1875
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Minton Majolica Posy small vase modelled as three upright yellow bamboo canes all supported on an earthy ground.
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Vallauris Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, Oxblood Faience, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Large Vallauris Hand-Made Faience Ceramic Centerpiece, France, 1950s An absolutely stunning large ceramic fruit bowl or centerpiece, featuring an intricate sculptural body in rich o...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Dramatic Pair of Very Large Portrait Motif Majolica Lidded Vases
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of dramatic large and elegant Italian portrait motif lidded vases in the manner of Orazio Fontana.
Category

20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Boxer Dog Terracotta Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Italian Boxer Majolica dog statue figurine. Nice addition to your room or entry hall. It is approx. 32 inches high, 20 inches wide and 13 inches deep. Made of Ma...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Art Nouveau Handmade and Hand Glazed Planter Jardinière, 1930 Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant Handmade Majolica Hand-glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1920. Imperiale Royale, NIMY Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant deta...
Category

1920s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century English Majolica Gurgling Fish Pitcher Jug
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English majolica glazed ceramic gurgling fish pitcher or glug jug, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This whimsical fish pitcher has a stylish design in a lovely ...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Jasba Fat Lava Op Art Vase Earthy Colors Western Germany Ceramic
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Jasba N3221120 vase is a part of N series of objects; this series covers a large segment of Jasba’s production. Items within the series come in a wide variety of forms and decors, a...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica box with oysters and snail signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880. Measures: Height / 8", length / 15" on 6.5".
Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Renaissance Vase Serpentine Handles Bacchus Italy 19th Century Revival
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall Italian majolica serpentine handles vase with a mythological scene Depicting The Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne - Annibale Carracci - 1597...
Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Karlsruhe Majolika Manufactory Sculpture, Dogs, Dachshund, Germany, 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful figure of two dachshund puppies from the well-known Karlsruhe Majolika Manufactory. Marked on the bottom '5338', the production number. On the bottom we see the coat of arm...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Frog with Mandolin Delphin Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Art Nouveau Majolica frog who playing mandolin signed Delphin Massier circa 1900. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Italian Whippet Greyhound Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding Italian Greyhound statue in glazed and hand painted terracotta. Perfectly placed on a pedestal stylized as a cushion, lifelike ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Fanciullacci Majolica Ceramic Dresser Box with Lid Horse Relief Italy 1950s-1960
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage pottery dresser box features a minimal rectangular form with matching lid and Mid Century Modern relief and sgraffito decor. A prancing horse motif is done in brigh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery, Terracotta

French Art Nouveau Vase Majolica Gustave De Bruyn 29cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful French Art Nouveau vase made of polychrome crackle majolica earthenware, decorated with peonies and floral motifs, numbered and marked on the bottom. Gustave De Bruyn (Leu...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

18th-19th Century Spanish Colonial Majolica Pottery Angel Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Guatemalan majolica pottery vase, with hand painted floral design on front. Two angels adorn the upper rim, appearing at the top of each side peering out over their angel win...
Category

19th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

19th Century French Hand Painted Barbotine Faience Vase with Floral Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
This impressive antique French barbotine vase is a masterful example of faience artistry, distinguished by its richly applied floral relief and painterly glaze. Standing 27 inches ta...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Pair of White Majolica Ceramic Doves, Italy 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The vintage porcelain or ceramic dove figurines feature finely detailed bodies, artfully hand painted with light green accents on bright white majolica glaze, creating a reserved, natural color palette of white and tone-on-tone green. The birds are realistically sculpted with wide, flowing tails, standing calmly with their heads slightly turned. They are not mirror images of each other; each presents subtle differences in posture, adding visual interest and another layer of complexity to the set. Highly detailed figurines convey a touch of historical elegance and whimsical charm of traditional Italian country style. Each sculpture is marked with ITALY and model numbers on the inner surfaces. While many Italian artists and studios created their version of dove figurine, most of them are stylistically different from this pair; Bitossi and Zaccagnini birds have more streamlined, Modernist silhouettes, and the doves created for Raymor were less detailed and intentionally less realistic, as well as most often marked with distributor name in writing. We're attributing the pair to Mottahedeh, who sourced Italian majolica in similar style; the pieces will be simply marked ITALY and Mottahedeh will add their paper stickers. As the sculptures are quite old, the stickers often get lost or destroyed. The convenient size and small footprint allows the set to be used in a multiple ways, such as dining room centerpiece, console table accent, shelf or fireplace mantel decoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incredible whole rang...
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Art Nouveau Majolica Barbotine Box Jar Pheasant on Basket by Sarreguemines
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A hand-painted majolica lidded jar / box or tureen in the shape of a pheasant hen sitting on a basket, made by Sarreguemines around 1900. This beau...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Large Italian Albisola Blue and White Tin-glazed Majolica Urn/Vase
Located in San Francisco, CA
the impressive vessel with everted lip above an ovoid body flanked by double mask handles all over a splayed foot; painted overall with a female figure and putti in a landscape setti...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Baroque Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Majolica Flowers and Insects Basket, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French majolica basket with flowers and butterfly, bug, and insect accents, circa 1880. No maker's mark. Some chips.
Category

1880s British Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Oxen Cart Clement Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Antique Majolica oxen cart jardiniere circa 1900, signed Clement Massier Golfe-Juan. Reference: Page 111 "Barbotines de la cote d'Azur" of Bottero.
Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Vase Painted Two-handled Amphora Majolica Renaissance Vessel Italian Ceramic
Located in Recanati, IT
This large luxurious amphora, in majolica handmade in Italy and hand-painted in polychrome, is characterized by a dense presence of naturalistic ornamental motifs that decorate the v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

18th Century Italian Blue & White Faience Albarelli Apothecary Jar Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable pair of two antique European tin-glazed earthenware apothecary jars. circa 1770 Originally used as medicinal pottery jars that held ointments and dry drugs at apothecar...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

A rare early 20th-century French majolica "barbotine" crab trinket box
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A French majolica "barbotine" trinket box or catchall from the early 20th century, crafted in the shape of a crab. The lid, representing the crab’s shell, opens to reveal a storage c...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rococo Revival Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair Neoclassical French Sarreguemines Majolica Cobalt Blue & Gilt Vases c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of antique Neoclassical style French Sarreguemines cobalt blue majolica vases, circa 1900. Maker's mark on reverse. These stylish chic vases are decorated with gold g...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Early 20th Century Italian Majolica Urn
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Italian majolica urn. This gorgeous Italian majolica or maiolica urn or jardiniere is hand decorated with serpents, dolphins an...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Maiolica, Majolica

Royal Worcester Majolica Floral Basket
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Royal Worcester Majolica basket which features pink flowers and green leaves, which are hand painted and overglazed. Green branch molded handl...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Spectacular Majolica rose vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. ...
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Cheetah Cub Figurine in Majolica Pottery by Ronzan Italy, 1950's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice expressive Ronzan Italian majolica cheetah cub figurine. Signed to the base in black script: RONZAN MADE IN ITALY 1571/A. Dating from arou...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Mid-Century Vallauris “Sea Shell” Vide-Poche / Catchall, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Mid-Century Vallauris “Sea Shell” Vide-Poche / Catchall – Red, Brown & Yellow Ceramic A very beautiful Vallauris “céramique” vide-poche or catchall, sculpted in the form of a se...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica

Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large oval Majolica Palissy wall platter Vallauris, circa 1950. Large fishes, lobster, seaweeds, tomato, garlic. From Provence, Mediterranean fishes. Length / 20 inches on 9 inches, ...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Antique and Vintage Majolica Vases, Bowls, Candleholders and Other Decorative Objects

The popularity of Victorian majolica, the gaily colored, metallic-oxide-glazed earthenware, has ebbed and flowed for more than a century. Right now, antique and vintage vases, bowls and other decorative objects appear to be having a moment — again.

Starting in the 1850s, people in the U.S. and the U.K. embraced these affordable housewares with unusual polychrome palettes (turquoise and pink) and whimsical forms (candlesticks shaped like dolphins). By the 1870s, majolica was being mass-produced for an ever-expanding middle class in countries like England, France, Sweden, Hungary and Portugal. Majolica was Art for Everyman. Its popularity coincided with interest in exotic Japonisme and scientific studies by the likes of Carl Linnaeus, Charles Darwin and John James Audobon.

Despite a similarity in name, Victorian majolica is significantly different in subject matter and form from its Italian forebear, Renaissance maiolica. That earlier earthenware bore gaily painted religious and mythological scenes, and unlike majolica, with its  lively contours, was not molded or three dimensional.

What was the attraction of majolica for the 19th-century collector? “Imagine what it looked like in a Victorian interior, with dark woods, heavy drapes and upholstered chairs and sofas,” says Susan Weber, founder of the Bard Graduate Center in New York. “Majolica is robust and extremely tactile. With its naturalistic shapes, colorful glazes and often humorous themes, it appealed to the growing consumer society.” 

In England, manufacturers like Minton began to produce decorative, relief-molded majolica tiles for the interiors of taverns, train stations, even the famous Queen’s Dairy at Frogmore, on the grounds of Windsor Castle. In 19th-century France, Sèvres and smaller ceramics firms began to reinterpret the snake-decorated platters made by Bernard Palissy, a 16th-century self-taught French potter. The result was a type of majolica called Palissy ware, which, like the originals, was festooned with odd creatures (lobsters, lizards and snakes) modeled by hand.

The late Moroccan-born, Paris-based decorator Alberto Pinto often placed Palissy ware in his clients’ living rooms, posing individual pieces on brackets against a background of stamped, gilded leather. Pinto, in turn, influenced such contemporary decorators as Harry Heissmann of New York. After 1900, people got swept up in the romanticism of Art Nouveau and ceased buying majolica. The 1970s saw a revival of interest, and in 1982, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, organized “English Majolica,” an exhibition featuring 75 examples from Minton, Wedgwood and George Jones, among other makers. 

On 1stDibs, find antique and vintage majolica tea sets, vases, candlesticks, tureens and other furniture and decorative objects.