Majolica Decorative Objects
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Material: Majolica
Hand Painted Green Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Italy Contemporary Majolica
Located in London, GB
Cassettoni Vase 2025, hand-painted majolica, fired in full fire-reduction
Dimensions: 28 cm diameter x 36 cm height
Unique piece
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950.
High relief of fish, seaweeds, lemon, starfish.
Nautical style.
Measure: 11" diameter.
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
French Art Nouveau Majolica Vase with Thistles and Lizards, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully designed and highly decorative Art Nouveau ceramic vase is outstanding by all measures. It is very impressive and fabulously rendered in a most unusual technique, co...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Massive Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Julius Dressler
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive Art Nouveau majolica vase by Julius Dressler of Austria, circa early 1900s. This stunning piece is an absolute classical piece from the Art Nouveau era. The beautiful shape ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery, Majolica
18th Century Italian Majolica Albarello Drug Jar by Jacques Boselly
By Jacques Boselly 1
Located in Milano, MI
A Neoclassical late 18th century polychrome decorated drug jar or Albarello signed by the Italian Savonese artist Boselli Giacomo 1744-1808, a rare blue, yellow and polychrome majolica antique vase for collectors.
The Italian Albarello...
Category
Late 18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Large Minton Majolica Wine Cistern, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
Modelled by Louis-Francouis Jeannest (1813-1857).
Literature: Marilyn G. Karmason with Joan B. Stacke, Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, 1989, p. 64, illustrated...
Category
1870s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Life-Size Italian seated Dog Majolica Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1980s Italian Majolica Ceramic white dog statue figurine. Nice addition to your room or entry hall. Made of majolica ceramic, hand pain...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Majolica Cylinder Vase Blue Prezzemolo Decor
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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 Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Large Vallauris Shell Vase in Orange and Brown Majolica Ceramic
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Giant Mid-century Modern Vallauris Ceramid Shell Shaped Vase. France, 1950s-1960s.
Colorful vase with mussel / shell design in glazed ceramic. The exterior part is covered by glazed ceramic in brown color with fat lava decorations in beige, yellow and orange glaze.
Rare find due to its shape.
Use it as decorative vase or flower vase adding a fresh accent in any Mediterranean, Contemporary, or Midentury decoration.
Great gift idea!
Measures: 32 cm H x 16 cm W x 13 cm D
Vallauris Maiolica Mussel Vase // French Vallauris Midcentury Vase // Falt Lava Vallauris Ceramic Shell Vase...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Antique Spanish Polychrome Ceramic Charger with a Bull Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Circa 1800 Spanish Majolica Faience centerpiece bowl or charger.
This charming collectible antique painted ceramic dish is decorated with a large rear facing bull and with polychrom...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Folk Art Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$472 Sale Price
79% Off
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
Cantagalli Majolica Rectangular Ashtray or Tray, Italy 1940-1950
By Cantagalli
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage majolica ashtray or catchall tray features elegant rectangular shape with lightly scalloped and textured rim and hand painted abstract garlands decor. Graphic cobalt blue an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Majolica Double Vase with Birds Jerome Massier Fils, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica double vase with birds signed Jerome Massier Fils, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
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
Hand-painted Green Italian Majolica Dishes with Goldfish, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A cute yet stylish pair of Italian Majolica dishes or bowls for sweets, cookies, fruit etc. Each one hand-painted with diffrent goldfish motif upon an art deco style fluted dessin.
...
Category
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
French Vallauris Majolica Shell Shaped Vase in Multi Color Glazed Ceramic
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Giant Mid-century Modern Vallauris Ceramid Shell Shaped Vase. France, 1950s-1960s.
Colorful vase with mussel / shell design in glazed ceramic. The exterior part is covered by glazed ceramic in brown color with fat lava decorations in beige, yellow and blue glaze.
Rare find due to its shape.
Use it as decorative vase or flower vase adding a fresh accent in any Mediterranean, Contemporary, or Midentury decoration.
Great gift idea!
Measures: 32 cm H x 16 cm W x 13 cm D
Vallauris Maiolica Mussel Vase // French Vallauris Midcentury Vase // Falt Lava Vallauris Ceramic Shell Vase...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Byzantium Vase Hand Painted Ceramic Italy Contemporary 21st Century Majoilica
Located in London, GB
Byzantium Vase 2024, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 28 cm diameter x 36 cm height hand painted unique piece.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
18th-19th Century Spanish Colonial Majolica Pottery Angel Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Spanish Colonial 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 ang...
Category
19th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Pottery
Sky Small Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Glazed Majolica Italian Contemporary
Located in London, GB
SKY - Small ceramic bowl by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware.
All unique pieces, Italy, 2021. Measure: 15 cm diameter.
Different finishes availa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Pond Life Ewer Wilhelm Schiller & Son, circa 1885
Located in Austin, TX
Monumental 19th Century Majolica ewer with crawfish handle, dragonfly snail, grasshopper, frog and aquatics plants, signed Wilhelm Schiller...
Category
1880s Czech Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Rooster Green Glazed Ceramic Pitcher, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching green and brown Majolica ceramic rooster jug / pitcher, Spain, 1950s.
Andalusian ceramic decorative rooster shaped jug in shades ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Fruits Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1900
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
Wilhelm Schiller & Sons Majolica Peacock Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Schiller Majolica vase which features a peacock seated on a pedestal. Coloration: Blue, green, yellow, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for ...
Category
1880s German Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Matt White Glaze Majolica Sculpture with Hand Sculpted Peony, Italy 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Small ceramic sculptures with peony by Antonietta Mazzotti Emaldi, 2018, Glazed earthenware (majolica) and 24ct gold, entirely handmade, unique piece. Customisation available in terms of colour of both for base and flower.
Antonietta Mazzotti (Faenza, Italy 1950) attended the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Faenza and opened her first workshop in her hometown taking part in group and solo exhibitions at international level. In 1976 she has transformed the neo-gothic greenhouse of Villa Emaldi in her workshop. Antonietta Mazzotti has worked for some of the most important international museums and has received several important recognitions worldwide. Her works have been featured in major Italian magazines of interior design and she has acquired international visibility being featured in major international press publications, such as The New York Times. She still lives and works at Villa Emaldi in Faenza where she continues her research on historical decor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Begonia Leaf Wilhelm Schiller & Son Vide-Poche
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
Staffordshire majolica plate, c. 1840
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Green glazed majolica tea plate with grape leaf impressed surface. Unmarked.
Staffordshire, England, circa 1840.
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Palissy Style Hand Painted Handcrafted Art Plate by Jay Willfred Sadek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Palissy Style Art Fruit Plate, Large Fruit and Leaf Plate, the Fruit Plate Made in Portugal by Jay Willfred Sadek
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain
Antique Majolica Tobacco Jar Munich Child in Hofbrauhaus Keg, Germany 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for an antique figural tobacco jar featuring the Munich Child on a keg from Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus. The jar reads "Tabak" (german fo...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Italian Dalmatian Puppy Majolica Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Mid Century Modern Italian terracotta art pottery sculpture. A figural animal work produced circa 1960s depicting a Dalmatian dog modeled seated. Glazed white and black ter...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Terracotta
Pair Italian Terracotta Ceramic Foo Dog Garden Seats, Stools or Side Table 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding pair of two Foo Dog statues in glazed and hand painted terracotta. Perfectly placed on a pedestal, lifelike and life-size representations...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
French Majolica Birds Fountain Massier circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica fountain with birds signed Massier circa 1910.
Category
1910s French French Provincial Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
Decorative Object Vase Majolica Decorated Deruta Midcentury Italian Design 1950s
By Deruta
Located in Palermo, IT
Vase made of hand-painted majolica in shades of blue, avion, white and gold, with decorations depicting women. Made in Italy in the 1950s with Deruta signature underneath. (as can be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
19th Century Majolica Palissy Tobacco Jar Thomas Sergent
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Palissy tobacco jar attributed to Thomas Sergent, circa 1880 unsigned.
Naturalistic movement of the end of 19th century.
The jar have the shape of a trunk with a bir...
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Sicilian South Italian Pair Maiolica Pottery Twin Handled Candlesticks
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish pair antique South Italian Sicilian maiolica pottery twin handled candlesticks dating from the 18th century. The handmade earthenware candlesticks stand on a wide bowl-shap...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware, Majolica
Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Hand Painted Floral & Figural Vase
By Deruta
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Majolica mosaic vase, hand decorated with pure gold leaf.
Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Vase, design is a depiction of Empress Theodora, sixth ce...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Set of two exceptionally rare majolika basket vases, Amphora, 1910s Bohemia
Located in Wien, AT
Exceptional set of two vases, so-called basket vases, made from 1910 - 20, by the famous Amphora factory in Bohemia.
The vases have a round base and taper towards the top. They have...
Category
1910s Czech Jugendstil Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Théodore Deck Attributed French Ormolu Mounted Majolica Tazza
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and unusual French ormolu mounted majolica tazza molded with figures set within an abstract design border attributed to Theodore Deck (1823-1891) and believed to date ...
Category
1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Tuscan Hand Painted Majolica Jug Vase Garniture Set Signed Leona Italia
Located in Forney, TX
A vintage Italian majolica ceramic three piece vessel garniture set, signed Leona Italia.
Hand-crafted and hand-painted by highly skilled artisans in Tuscany, medieval Renaissance t...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Italian Della Robbia Terra-Cotta Planter
By Della Robbia Pottery
Located in Southampton, NJ
A scarcely seen early 20th century high relief hand made & painted polychrome glazed Terra Cotta pottery planter in the manner of Della Robbia. Nice weight...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Pottery
Bill Stewart Set of Two Sculptural Vases or Vessels, American Art Studio Pottery
By Bill Stewart
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Two sculptural vases or vessels are free-formed by hand and glazed in complex, semi-gloss crackle glaze; matte graphite-colored glaze was used on the bottom parts of the vessels. Bo...
Category
20th Century American Organic Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Box Books Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th Century Majolica Box Books Choisy Le Roi.
H / 6.8 inches
Category
1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Late 20th Century French Hand-Painted Barbotine Ceramic Rooster from Normandy
Located in Dallas, TX
This large colorful Majolica rooster was crafted in Normandy, circa 1980. Hand painted in the blue, green and brown palette, the proud symbol of France stands tall on a green base. T...
Category
Late 20th Century French Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Dresser Box with Lid Horse Handle, Blue White Flowers, Italy
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage majolica ceramic round dresser box with lid features hand-painted abstract flowers and leaves decor on white background. The blue, teal, and brown colors of the flower decor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Large Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century Lustre
Located in London, GB
Mediterranea large bowl, 2020, full-fire reduction faience earthenware with copper lustre 30 cm diameter 10cm height, hand painted unique piece.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Hand-Painted Octopus Ceramic Bowl Italy Contemporary Faience 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Octopus bowl, 2023 Full-fire reduction earthenware faience 32cm diam. unique piece hand-painted Italian majolica.
Bottega Vignoli is a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Carlo Zauli Italian Modern Signed And Archived Archaic Vase
By Carlo Zauli
Located in Roma, IT
Archaic vase by Carlo Zauli 1953
Polychrome majolica Faenza
Vase in polychrome majolica, pear-shaped with an asymmetrical line and abstract-geometric decorations with relief borders....
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
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
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Victorian Majolica Handled Footed Flower Basket Planter Compote 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian English Majolica footed flower basket featuring a basket weave pattern with floral medallion and acanthus leaf design, footed base and double handle. Stoke on Tren...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
$496 Sale Price
20% Off
Sky Medium Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Glazed Majolica Italian Contemporary
Located in London, GB
SKY - Medium ceramic bowl by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware.
All unique pieces, Italy, 2021. Measure: 22cm diameter...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Sky Large Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Glazed Majolica Italian Contemporary
Located in London, GB
SKY - Large ceramic bowl by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware.
All unique pieces, Italy, 2021. Measure: 30cm diameter....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Rare 19th Century French Ducks Tureen Sarreguemines, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th century French ducks tureen signed Sarreguemines, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
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
Pot or Box 19th Century Majolica France Ceramic Green with an Circular Handle
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Kitchen box, Pot in Majolica. Vegetal Decor pattern. Green color.
It has been made in France circa 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$258 Sale Price
20% Off
French Aqua Majolica Donkey Vallauris with Basket Clement Massier , circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Aqua Majolica Donkey Vallauris with Basket Clement Massier , circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Rooster Yellow and Green Glazed Ceramic Pitcher, France, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching green and yellow Majolica ceramic rooster jug / pitcher, France, 1950s.
Handcrafted in yellow glazed ceramic with green accents.
A cool accent to any kitchen or to be us...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Urbino Style Majolica Vases, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
With entwined serpent handles, painted in colors on both sides of the bodies with biblical scenes.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Garibaldi's Portrait Majolica, Ceramic, Made in Italy
Located in Roma, IT
This Garibaldi's Portrait Majolica is an original decorative object realized in ceramic.
An interesting colored ceramic tile representing the Italian 19th century general Giuseppe...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Wilhelm Süß for Karlsruher Majolika Art Nouveau Blue Flower Basket Bowl c. 1910
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
19th Century Majolica Box Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica Box Choisy Le Roi with a floral and leaves decor.
Category
1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
James Hadley Royal Worcester Rare Majolica Camel & Howdah
By James Hadley
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very rare and unusual antique Royal Worcester majolica pottery figure of a camel and howdah by renowned potter James Hadley (British, 1837-1903) and dated 22nd June 1870.
James H...
Category
1870s English Arts and Crafts Antique Majolica Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica, Pottery
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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Horsehair Brush
Ironwood Sculpture
Italian Canister
Italian Whippets
Japanese Imari Jars
Jere Owl
Large Bronze Elephant
Large Bronze Horse Sculpture
Large Wood Elephant