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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950 Fishs, lemon,starfish,shells,seaweeds. From Provence. Length / 11.5 inches on 7.8 inches,...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Gio Ponti rare model Le Mie Terre vase manufactured by Richard-Ginori
Located in Skokie, IL
Gio Ponti rare large vase designed in 1929-30. Glazed maiolica. Painted designer's and manufacturer's marks. This exquisite piece showcases the artistry of glazed maiolica, combinin...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Large English Victorian Hunt Scene Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large English Victorian Hunt Scene Jardiniere Circa 1890. Decorated with hound dogs with a deer. Dogs heads handles. 19.5 by 8.5 inches.
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Exceptional Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Jardiniere Flowerpot Thistle Motif
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A highly decorative and vividly colored Art Nouveau Majolica jardinière or flowerpot, dating from circa 1900. This exuberant barbotine piece features an ornate relief design dominate...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Vintage Petite Italian Majolica Lemons & Oranges Topiary Basket
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely petite Mid Century Italian majolica lemons and oranges topiary. Marked "Italy" on reverse. Brighten up your kitchen or dining room with this beautiful hand painted arrangeme...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rubboli Lustre Majolica Vase with Mythical Beasts Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Sculptural, large ceramic Neo-Renaissance Rubboli vase is finished in cobalt, red and gold lustre. Hand-painted decor follows the classical shape of the piece, with abstract pattern accentuated the base and the top of the vase, and traditional designs of mythical beasts surrounding central medallion motifs. The vase is a stunning, museum quality example of the revival of the magnificent Italian Renaissance decoration of the 16th century. Late 19th century collecting craze for Renaissance majolica, especially lusterware, prompted the Italian potters to hunt for the secret formulas that were lost four hundred years earlier. Studios owned by such ceramicists as Cantagalli, Molaroni, Rubboli, Santarella, and others attempted to duplicate antique lusterware pieces for the general public. Each studio developed their own closely guarded formulation. In 1870s Paolo Rubboli...
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Vintage Majolica White Cat with Dragonfly Sculpture, Italy 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful Italian pottery cat figurine features crouching white cat with half-closed eyes, getting ready to pounce on a dragonfly flying over cat's shoulder. Elegantly sculpted ceramic...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica White Swan Jardinière Jerome Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica white swan jardinière signed Jerome Massier Vallauris, circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier. 2 pansies, 2 wild roses , 1 daisy. Table vases decorations , very rare form and size. Around 4 inches height ...
Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Sarreguemines Majolica Jardiniere in the Japonisme Style, 1880-1890
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A gorgeous turquoise blue Majolica jardiniere made by the French manufactory Sarreguemines circa 1880-1890. The jardiniere is decorated in the eclectic Japonisme-style with beautifully hand-painted birds among pine branches, faux cloisonne...
Category

Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica, Pottery

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

Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Majolica morning glory vases Jerome Massier, circa 1900. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incredible whole...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Aldo Londi Thai Silk Vase, Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter, Blue, Green, Gold
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Mid-Century Modern vase was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter. It is decorated with a band of gold flowers on Rimini blue, outlined with sgraffito ...
Category

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

Materials

Gold

19th Century Majolica Monkey Pianist Humidor Tobacco Jar Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Amusing Majolica monkey pianist tobacco jar Sarreguemines, circa 1880.Rarely found complete with his lid ,he wear a costume of Oriental style, he play piano and two books are represe...
Category

1880s French Rococo Antique 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 Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Charming French Majolica roses basket signed Sarreguemines, circa 1920. The manufacture of Sarreguemines produced severals examples of baskets with fruits, more rarely with animals a...
Category

1920s French French Provincial Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Alzata in Maiolica Italiana dipinta con Madonna con Bambino Ocra e Celeste 1700
Located in Milano, MI
Alzata in Maiolica italiana dipinta in policromia agli inizi 1700 con piano perfettamente piatto con bordo rialzato decorato con l’assunzione della Madonna Incoronata raffigurata co...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Folk Art Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Vintage Majolica Ceramic Winking Cat Kitten Figurine, Italy 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic sculpture features tabby cat or kitten, resting on the pillow with its head slightly lifted and turned to a side. The figurine is decorated with majolica glaze with h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Majolica Elephant Tobacco Jar Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica tobacco jar Onnaing, circa 1890. The two handles are elephants heads, decorated with corn, the handle of the jat is a corn. Usually in ...
Category

1890s French Majolica Pottery Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Rare Majolica Jardinière Squash, Grape and Leaves Wilhelm Schiller & Son
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unique 19th century Majolica jardinière with squash, grape and leaves signed Ws & S (Wilhelm Schiller & Son).
Category

1880s Czech Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Vase with Floral and Foliage Motifs
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
19th Century Majolica Vase with Floral and Foliage Motifs Description: This is a majolica vase dating from the 19th century, made in glazed ceramic with a rich and earthy brown tone...
Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

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

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardinière School of Paris, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Small 19th Century Palissy footed wood box jardinière School of Paris. The School of Paris was composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, Francois Maurice, Thomas Sergent, Georges pull, ...
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

I.C.S. Art Deco Majolica Vase, Italy 1927-1940
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare vintage ceramic vase features streamlined cylinder form with slightly flared out rim and graphic decor in off white, teal, black, and yellow palette. The main motif of abstract flowers on a branch, descending from a triangular structure, hand painted in monochromatic black glaze, is juxtaposed with the ombre off white and teal background and an abstracted flock of birds in shades of yellow. The sophisticated Art Deco style flowering branch, with contrasting, clearly defined, angular outline, is softened with rounded, Folk Art or Naive Art style, almost cloud-like bird motifs, asymmetrically placed on one side of the branch. The decor repeats on front and back sides of the vase with slight variations in colors and placements that are consistent with hand-painted nature of the piece. The vase retains obvious hand-formed concentric ridges throughout the whole body that add textural element to the piece and allow for slight pooling of the glazes. The bottom is concave and glazed in off-white, with the unglazed foot, showing pinkish beige clay; it is not a glaze defect, as it was left unglazed intentionally when the vase was placed in the kiln for firing. The vase is signed on the bottom with "Italy I.C.S" and Industria Ceramica Salernitana company's fish mark. It is in good vintage condition with age-appropriate small losses on glaze of the rim and bottom that do not detract from the quality and artistic expression of the vase and can be repaired professionally; please see pictures. I.C.S. was founded in 1927 by Berlin-born Moses Malamerson in Vietri Sul Mar on Amalfi coast in Italy. I.C.S quickly gained recognition by participating in multiple major European and American expositions and art competitions available, attracting many artists that were looking to escape the economic depression and political upheaval of 1930s. I.C.S. can claim the honor of having employed all the famous artists of the German (Tedesco) Period, including Studemann, Irene Kowalski, Hannasch, Richard Dolker...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

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

French Majolica Brown Hen Tureen Caugant
Located in Austin, TX
Rustic French Majolica Brown Hen Tureen circa 1950 signed Caugant.
Category

1950s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Pair Polychrome Glazed Majolica Camels / Plant Stands
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage polychrome glazed camels, each 22 by 16 by 12 inches, seated in ceremonial processional attire including large saddles with flat tops to be enjoyed as sculptures or a...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Majolica Aesthetic /Japonisme Vase, Attributed to Theodore Deck
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Majolica Japonisme vase, attributed to Theodore Deck  France, Late 19th Century  This exquisite late 19th-century French Majolica vase, attributed to the renowned ceramist Th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Palissy Portuguese Lobster Wall Platter Plate, circa 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Portugese Caldas da Rainha Palissy lobster wall plaque plate, circa 1950s. Decorated with mussels, shells and seaweed. Beautiful condition for thi...
Category

1950s Portuguese Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century French Painted Faience Rooster with Vase Signed Paul Comolera
Located in Dallas, TX
Add the charm of the French countryside to your home with this large, colorful and rare ceramic rooster sculpture. Crafted in France circa 1880, the Majolica composition is at once a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Unmatching Pair of Rooster Glazed Ceramic Pitchers, Spain, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching pair of glazed ceramic spanish rooster shaped jugs / pitchers, 1970s One is a ceramic decorative rooster shaped jug in green and white ceramic with brown accents and th...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica

Set of Majolica Sleeping Cat & Kitten Sculptures, Italy, Vintage
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of vintage ceramic sculptures features tabby cat and kitten, sleeping curled up with their heads resting on their paws. The figurines are decorated with majolica glaze with hand...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

English Majolica Turquoise Nautilus Shell Vase on Rockwork Base, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking English majolica nautilus shell vase dating to circa 1880, modeled in vibrant turquoise glaze. The vessel takes the form of a finely ribbed shell with textured surface, it...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Minton Majolica Pottery Girl Harvester Figurine 1864
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Minton majolica pottery figure depicting a girl harvester figurine dating from 1864. The figure sits raised on a round pedestal base and holds a large oval shaped basket u...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Italian Majolica Incised and Painted Ewer Fish Motif
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A truly whimsical and wonderful piece of Italian Majolica that is incredibly well crafted. It is incised and appears almost enameled. It is signed or inscribed by the artist on the b...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Large Majolica Shell Vase Nautilus Choisy Le Roi, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Shell Nautilus Vase Urn signed Choisy Le Roi, circa 1890. The base is decorated with shells and coral. H / 8 inches , W / 10 inches.
Category

1890s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern 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

Italian Maiolica Seated Cat Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Maiolica Polychrome Glazed Terracotta Seated Cat, with hand-painted floral design. 26.75" H x 9.5" W x 13.75" D. Provenance: From a 50 Central Park West Estate.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s
Located in Coimbra, PT
A magnificent big size hyper realistic glazed ceramic fish tureen in shades of vibrant red and grey with dark accents manufactured in Portugal, 1950s. Beautiful to use as a wall deco...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

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

Iconic Wall Clock Junghans Uhren, Hard to Find Marmolada Design Max Bill
Located in Bochum, NRW
Important modernist glazed ceramic kitchen clock designed by Max Bill for Junghans, Germany 1956, featuring a 60-minute timer, a mechanical 8-day movement, a yellow-and-white ceramic...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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, Stoneware, Majolica, Earthenware, Clay

19th Century Minton Majolica Vase "Lily of the Valley"
Located in ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE, FR
Small Antique Minton Majolica vase, with lily of the valley design and three sprouting bulb feet. Turquoise ground color with white lilies, green leaves, and pink interior. It bears...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain

Jerome Massier Fils Majolica Pheasant Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Jerome Massier Fils Majolica figural vase which features a colourful pheasant stood in front of corn/wheat. Colouration: green, purple, teal blue are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Category

1920s French Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Majolica Cylinder Vase Blue Prezzemolo Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage majolica ceramic vase features streamlined cylinder shape and festive "Prezzemolo", or Parsley, decor in blue colorway. The decor consists of abstract geomentic shapes in blu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

French Majolica White Flowers Jardinière, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica White Flowers Jardinière, circa 1880.
Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Friedgard Glatzle for Karlsruhe Majolika Craquelure Vase West German Pottery 195
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage majolica vase features graphic craquelure glaze in dark grey on off-white background. Transparent glaze was used for inner surfaces of the vase, allowing a glimpse at the cl...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, 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

Large French Majolica Palissy Jardiniere Circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Palissy jardinière with leaves and branches, circa 1880.
Category

1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Vase Birds & Lilac Jerome Massier Fils circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Vase Birds & Lilac signed Jerome Massier Fils circa 1900. H / 11.5 inches , diameter / 7 inches. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings....
Category

Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Minton Majolica Mushroom Tazza with Three-Frog Base, English, Dated 1868
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Majolica Taza, molded as an inverted mushroom, the bowl interior glazed in orange, with three naturalistically modeled and glazed frogs around the stem,...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Bulldog Terracotta Pug Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of charm to your home with this exquisite ceramic Terracotta Pug or French Bulldog sculpture. This piece captures the playful spirit of the beloved breed with intricate d...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

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

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

Antique 1920’s Grand Tour Italian Venice Majolica Vase
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique, grand tour, Italian hand painted and transfer ware majolica handled vase with panels depicting Ancient Greek Society, handles in the shape of winged griffin's and grotesq...
Category

1920s Italian Grand Tour Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Delphin Massier Majolica Birds on Bamboo Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Delphin Massier French Majolica vase which features three bamboo stem vases forming a support for an egg on the top. The bamboo and egg is hand painted with flowers and leaves. Birds...
Category

1890s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Antique Majolica Adams & Bromley Pineapple Basketweave Sardine Fish Box 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Majolica Sardine fish box / lidded compote attributed to Adams & Bromley. It features a pineapple and basket weave design with Sardine lid handle and purple lavender interio...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900. Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category

Early 1900s French Aesthetic Movement Antique 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.

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