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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
Vintage Large Italian Majolica Ceramic Sitting Cat Kitten Figurine
Vintage Large Italian Majolica Ceramic Sitting Cat Kitten Figurine

Vintage Large Italian Majolica Ceramic Sitting Cat Kitten Figurine

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Large ceramic sculpture features tabby cat or kitten, sitting with its head turned to a side. The figurine is decorated with majolica glaze with hand-painted black markings on white...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Friedgard Glatzle for Karlsruhe Majolika Craquelure Vase West German Pottery 195
Friedgard Glatzle for Karlsruhe Majolika Craquelure Vase West German Pottery 195

Friedgard Glatzle for Karlsruhe Majolika Craquelure Vase West German Pottery 195

By Majolica Manufactory of Karlsruhe

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

English Victorian Majolica Porcelain Ram Vase
English Victorian Majolica Porcelain Ram Vase

English Victorian Majolica Porcelain Ram Vase

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian Majolica style porcelain vase with ram head sides.

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair
French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair

French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair

Located in Downingtown, PA

Dramatic Pair of French Majolica Urns with Stork and Wolf's Head Handles This striking pair of French large majolica flower urns, dating from circa 1870-1890, exemplifies the vibran...

Category

1870s French Arts and Crafts Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century
Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century

Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Shell-shaped ceramic bowl is glazed in red with complex variations in glaze color accentuating the intricate shape of the bowl. The bowl is signed on the bottom with "Italy 68105 ...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy
Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy

Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy

Located in Dallas, TX

Bring a touch of French country charm to a kitchen, breakfast room, or farmhouse interior with this impressive hand-painted ceramic rooster from Normandy, crafted circa 1980. Standin...

Category

Late 20th Century French Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s
Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s

Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s

By Bitossi

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Bitossi Studio Pottery vase or pitcher is a beautiful example of Italian mid-century modern art ceramics. It is decorated in bold abstract pattern using gloss, semi-matte, and lava g...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Majolica Palissy Snake & Lizard Candelstick Thomas Sergent
19th Century Majolica Palissy Snake & Lizard Candelstick Thomas Sergent

19th Century Majolica Palissy Snake & Lizard Candelstick Thomas Sergent

By Thomas Victor Sergent

Located in Austin, TX

French Palissy candlestick signed Thomas Sergent, circa 1880. Trompe l'oeil wood with leaves decorated with snake and lizard. Thomas Victor Sergent was an active member of the School...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl
Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl

Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl

Located in Hudson, NY

This good sized bowl is a great example of the majolica wares produced in Italy throughout the 15th, 16th, 17, and 18th centuries. Humble and simple but highly decorative and enterta...

Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Bird & Flowers Platter
19th Century Majolica Bird & Flowers Platter

19th Century Majolica Bird & Flowers Platter

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Continental Majolica Bird & Flowers Platter. 14 inches by 9.3 inches.

Category

Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Unmatching Pair of Rooster Glazed Ceramic Pitchers, Spain 1970s
Unmatching Pair of Rooster Glazed Ceramic Pitchers, Spain 1970s

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

Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris
Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris

Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris

By Vallauris

Located in Austin, TX

Large oval Majolica Palissy wall platter Vallauris, circa 1950. Large fishes, lobster, seaweeds, shells. From Provence. Measures: Length / 22.5 inches on 9 inches, height / 2.5 inche...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche
19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche

19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche

By Wilhelm Schiller & Son

Located in Austin, TX

Small 19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf signed Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche. High quality. 6.3 by 3.6 inches. Wilhelm Schiller began production of porcelain and earthenware in ...

Category

1880s Czech Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Wall Pocket Dog Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Majolica Wall Pocket Dog Delphin Massier, circa 1890

Majolica Wall Pocket Dog Delphin Massier, circa 1890

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica dog wall pocket signed Delphin Massier. Height / 7.3 inches. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family produced ...

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary
Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary

Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary

By Bottega Vignoli

Located in London, GB

Bottega Vignoli, Roma vase, Hand-painted earthenware (majolica) fired in full reduction firing, 34 cm height 18cm diameter, unique piece, 2020. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of ar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Majolica Vase, Plum Design, 1890s
Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Majolica Vase, Plum Design, 1890s

Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Majolica Vase, Plum Design, 1890s

Located in New Orleans, LA

Large majolica Art Nouveau Bohemia vase in lovely shades of brown, plum and leaf green. Foliage and plum fruit decoration developing around the neck and the throat, and down to the b...

Category

1890s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880
Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880

By Choisy-le-Roi

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 Fruits Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1900
Majolica Fruits Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1900

Majolica Fruits Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1900

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica trompe l'oeil basket with fruits signed Sarreguemines, circa 1900.   

Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

C.1890 Majolica Rooster Vase Choisy Le Roi by Carrier Belleuse
C.1890 Majolica Rooster Vase Choisy Le Roi by Carrier Belleuse

C.1890 Majolica Rooster Vase Choisy Le Roi by Carrier Belleuse

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica rooster vase signed Carrier Belleuse for the manufacture of Choisy le Roi, circa 1875. Very rare colors. Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (born Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse; 12 June 1824 – 4 June 1887) was a French sculptor. He was one of the founding members of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was made an officer of the Legion of Honour. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most important ceramics...

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Majolica Swan Jardinière Planter Style of Imperiale Nimy, Belgium 1900s
Majolica Swan Jardinière Planter Style of Imperiale Nimy, Belgium 1900s

Majolica Swan Jardinière Planter Style of Imperiale Nimy, Belgium 1900s

By Imperiale Royale, NIMY

Located in Verviers, BE

Majolica white swan jardinière Nimy, circa 1900. A real treasure for the ceramics' collector. Small chip to top rim not visible during use see photo. Please don't hesitate to get i...

Category

Early 1900s Belgian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French 19th Century Majolica Asparagus Tray with Cradle and Wicker Motif
French 19th Century Majolica Asparagus Tray with Cradle and Wicker Motif

French 19th Century Majolica Asparagus Tray with Cradle and Wicker Motif

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Majolica asparagus tray from the 19th century, with large cradle and wicker motifs. Created in France during the 19th century, this Majolica tray features large cradle with ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Large 19th Century Majolica Vase with Birds Delphin Massier
Large 19th Century Majolica Vase with Birds Delphin Massier

Large 19th Century Majolica Vase with Birds Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Large rare Majolica triple vase with birds, very colorful signed Delphin Massier. Completely painted with flowers. Height / 18.8 inches. The Massier are known for the quality of thei...

Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Mid-Century French Painted Barbotine Rainbow Trout Vessel from Fives-Lille
Mid-Century French Painted Barbotine Rainbow Trout Vessel from Fives-Lille

Mid-Century French Painted Barbotine Rainbow Trout Vessel from Fives-Lille

Located in Dallas, TX

This lively barbotine rainbow trout vessel fish was sculpted in Fives-Lille, France circa 1950 and exemplifies the naturalistic style of early 20th-century majolica. Shaped as a life...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920
Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920

Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920

By Sarreguemines

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

Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica White Cockatoos Parrots Birds
Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica White Cockatoos Parrots Birds

Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica White Cockatoos Parrots Birds

Located in Pearland, TX

A lovely pair of vintage Italian majolica hand painted majolica porcelain white cockatoos or parrots bird figurines perched on a branch with berries. Marked "Italy" on reverse. These...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Jardiniere by Wilhelm Schiller & Son, Bohemia, circa 1890
19th Century Majolica Jardiniere by Wilhelm Schiller & Son, Bohemia, circa 1890

19th Century Majolica Jardiniere by Wilhelm Schiller & Son, Bohemia, circa 1890

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A playfull 19th century Majolica Jardinière out of the renown workshop of Wilhelm Schiller & Son in Bohemia - circa 1890. A beautiful uncommonly shaped jardiniere with a lovely hand-...

Category

Late 19th Century Czech Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950

By Vallauris

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of fish, starfish, seaweeds, garlic. Nautical style.  

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Minton Majolica Mushroom Tazza with Three-Frog Base, English, Dated 1868
Minton Majolica Mushroom Tazza with Three-Frog Base, English, Dated 1868

Minton Majolica Mushroom Tazza with Three-Frog Base, English, Dated 1868

By Minton

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

Victorian Minton Majolica Marine Mermen Jardiniere Pink Interior
Victorian Minton Majolica Marine Mermen Jardiniere Pink Interior

Victorian Minton Majolica Marine Mermen Jardiniere Pink Interior

By Minton

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Good. RESTORATION. A few filled chips to the rim. Filled chip to foot. Filled chip to head-dress.

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Mid-Century Majolica Porcelain Sculptural Vase Featuring Stork and Bamboo Motif
Mid-Century Majolica Porcelain Sculptural Vase Featuring Stork and Bamboo Motif

Mid-Century Majolica Porcelain Sculptural Vase Featuring Stork and Bamboo Motif

Located in Tarry Town, NY

A captivating example of mid-century Italian ceramic artistry, this Majolica porcelain decorative vase sculpture seamlessly blends naturalistic elegance with sculptural charm. Create...

Category

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

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain

Matte White Ceramic Vase with Gold Spheres, Contemporary Design, Made in Italy
Matte White Ceramic Vase with Gold Spheres, Contemporary Design, Made in Italy

Matte White Ceramic Vase with Gold Spheres, Contemporary Design, Made in Italy

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

Contemporary ceramic vase in white, adorned with 19 ceramic spheres plated in 24-karat gold. The body of the vase features a matte finish that enhances its unique shape, giving the i...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880
Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880

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

Large Polychrome Faience from Imperiale Royale, NIMY and Planter 1910s
Large Polychrome Faience from Imperiale Royale, NIMY and Planter 1910s

Large Polychrome Faience from Imperiale Royale, NIMY and Planter 1910s

By Imperiale Royale, NIMY

Located in Verviers, BE

Art Nouveau Majolica jardinière, planter with stand This stylish piece is an early example by a renowned maker, showing the main inspirations of Art Nouveau, applying curved, design...

Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s

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

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare 19th Century Majolica Rose Cache Pot Delphin Massier
Rare 19th Century Majolica Rose Cache Pot Delphin Massier

Rare 19th Century Majolica Rose Cache Pot Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Rare French Majolica pink rose cache pot jardinière Delphin Massier, circa 1880. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an...

Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Pair of 19th Century English Majolica Bamboo Vase
Pair of 19th Century English Majolica Bamboo Vase

Pair of 19th Century English Majolica Bamboo Vase

By Minton

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Pair of English Majolica vases bamboo with a pink bow.

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Cantagalli Lusture Majolica Centerpiece
Cantagalli Lusture Majolica Centerpiece

Cantagalli Lusture Majolica Centerpiece

By Cantagalli

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Cantagalli Lusture Majolica centerpiece, Of tripartite form with center pierced urn, with mask medallions, raised on a confirming ovoid base. Decorated in all over foliate and scroll...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French 1950s Bird Tiles Trinket Box in Ceramic and Wood
French 1950s Bird Tiles Trinket Box in Ceramic and Wood

French 1950s Bird Tiles Trinket Box in Ceramic and Wood

By Mithé Espelt

Located in Barcelona, ES

Mid-Century Modern hinged wooden box with colorful birds ceramic tiles top, France 1950s. This exquisite vintage rectangular box is all constructed in wood. Beautiful hand-painted ti...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Wood

Pair of Majolica Palissy Vases with Mistletoe, circa 1880
Pair of Majolica Palissy Vases with Mistletoe, circa 1880

Pair of Majolica Palissy Vases with Mistletoe, circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

Palissy pair of small handled vases decorated with mistletoe, circa 1880. The School of Paris was composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, Francois Maurice, Thomas Sergent, Georges pull...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

19th Century Majolica Vase Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Majolica Vase Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Majolica Vase Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica vase signed Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. Height / 11 inches. Fleur de lis and pink flowers. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most important cer...

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Vintage Majolica White Cat with Dragonfly Sculpture, Italy 1960s
Vintage Majolica White Cat with Dragonfly Sculpture, Italy 1960s

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

19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate
19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate

19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate

Located in Winter Park, FL

A 19th Century English Majolica glazed ceramic begonia leaf plate with a single green leaf on dark brown ground with yellow accents. Mottled green,...

Category

19th Century American Beaux Arts Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950

By Vallauris

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of 2 fishs, seaweeds, starfish. Nautical style. Measure: 8.3" diameter.  

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Dia Muertos
Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Dia Muertos

Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Dia Muertos

Located in Queretaro, Queretaro

This hand-crafted ceramic figurine was created by Mexican artist César Torres using traditional Talavera Poblana techniques in Puebla, Mexico. The piece depicts a folkloric female figure dressed in traditional attire, holding the skirt of her dress in a classic regional pose. This time Torres focuses on the tradition of the Day of the Dead depicting a catrina. The figurine is entirely hand-modeled and hand-painted, featuring intricate floral and geometric motifs in cobalt blue, yellow, green, terracotta, and black. The surface is finished with a glossy glaze characteristic of Talavera ceramics...

Category

2010s Mexican Spanish Colonial Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Circa 1890
English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Circa 1890

English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

English Victorian Sunflower Box Circa 1890.

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Wilhelm Süß for Karlsruher Majolika Art Nouveau Blue Flower Basket Bowl c. 1910
Wilhelm Süß for Karlsruher Majolika Art Nouveau Blue Flower Basket Bowl c. 1910

Wilhelm Süß for Karlsruher Majolika Art Nouveau Blue Flower Basket Bowl c. 1910

By Karlsruher Majolika

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Wonderful Art Nouveau large ceramic handled bowl or basket by German artist/designer Wilhelm Süß for Karlsruhe Majolika (Majolica) circa 1910. He was one of their top designers at th...

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900

Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900

By Jerome Massier

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.