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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
Large majolica vase hand-built and hand-decorated Italy contemporary
Located in London, GB
Large ceramic vase by Onofrio Acone, 203 glazed erathenware (majolica) unique piece hand-built and hand-painted 55 cm width 62 cm height Onofrio Acone is a ceramic artists based ...
Category

2010s Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, 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

White 3D Printed Ceramic Sculptural Vase Italy Contemporary, 21st Century
Located in London, GB
"Composizione 40100 #02" (In crescendo), 2019, glazed earthenware, measures: H 47 x 30 x 30cm Andrea Salvatori (Italy, 1975) is an internationally renowned visual artist working with the ceramic medium to realize often ironic and witty sculptures, sometimes involving a diverse selection of found objects, such as Murano glass vases, Meissen Porcelain miniatures or Ginori period ceramics sourced in flea markets around Europe. Salvatori’s works often begin with these items and proceed by the addition of elements masterfully created by the artist, generating an unexpected semantic shift. The result is unique, encompassing pop culture and kitsch aesthetics: a witty and effective way to turn reality upside-down and at the same time a powerful combination of exquisite craftsmanship and genuine irony. Andrea Salvatori was born on 3 of March 1975 in Faenza (Ra), Italy; he has graduated at the Istituto d’arte for Ceramic in Faenza in 1995, and he then graduated with a Degree in Sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Bologna in 2000. During his studies, Andrea learned the secrets of ceramics from the creative duo Bertozzi & Casoni having worked as an apprentice in their studio for many years at the same way as during Renaissance artists learned their practice with their Masters. Since 1997 he had several individual and collective exhibitions. In 2009 he won the first prize at the 56th edition of the prestigious Premio Faenza, the International Contest of Contemporary Art Ceramics, for which he classified second in the prior edition. In 2011 he classified second at the Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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

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

Midcentury Italian Carved Painted Ceramic Planter Composition with Swan Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or console with this colorful antique majolica planter. Crafted in Italy, circa 1960, the large, decorative ceramic composition features a swan standing on the edge of a flower pot. The whimsical cache pot is wide and round with an ornate, sculptural quality. The barbotine planter...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Mid-Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Bohemian Figure Lidded Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf with this elegant antique Majolica box. Crafted in France circa 1950, the decorative and whimsical casket is decorated on all four sides in realistic high relief weave motifs. The removable lid features a bohemian figure lying on his side his feet up and holding his head. The colorful porcelain candy box...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Vallauris Majolica Shell Shaped Vase in Multi Color Glazed Ceramic
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

Pair of Large Majolica Ewers by Wilhelm Schiller Und Söhne
Located in London, GB
A pair of large majolica ewers by Wilhelm Shiller und Söhne Bohemian, Late 19th Century Measures: Height 45cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm With spouts fo...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Bohemian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Minton Majolica Cherubs Vase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica vase which features climbing cherubs and water lilies. Turquoise ground version. Colouration: turquoise, green, ochre, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks ...
Category

1870s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

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

Large Antique Royal Doulton Lambethware, Attributed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an extraordinary studio work attributed to the Royal Doulton Lambethware studio and is in the Arts & Crafts aesthetic. Although the piece is not marked, it bares all of the ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Sculptural "Rhino #5" Table Lamp by Bill Stewart, American Art Studio Pottery
By Bill Stewart
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking ceramic table lamp is comprised of hand-sculpted rhino figurine with a bird sitting on its neck; the rhino is mounted on long conical totem pole, formed in coil technique. ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Terracotta

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

Charles Lemanceau French Art Deco Borzoi Greyhound Couple, 1930s Majolica
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A rare majolica ceramic sculpture by Charles Lemanceau for Saint Clément. The piece depicts two sleek, streamlined greyhounds in motion, capturing the essence of speed and grace. The...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Unusual Arts and Crafts Footed Goblet Vase by Schwaz, Austria
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unusual tall goblet shaped vase was hand decorated with complex abstract flower pattern in cobalt blue, marigold yellow, and sage green on the base and the body of the vase. The hig...
Category

20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Cantagalli Majolica Rectangular Ashtray or Tray, Italy 1940-1950
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

Pair of French Majolica Rooster & Hen Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French Majolica Rooster & Hen attributed to George Dreyfus Circa 1890. Hen : H / 8" ,5.5" by 3" Rooster : H / 10" , 5.5" by 3"
Category

1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

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, 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 English Majolica Hand Painted Sardine Cover Box with Plate
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful barbotine dish was created in England circa 1880; attributed to Georges Jones & Sons, the dish is rectangular in shape and sits on an attached platter base; it features...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

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

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

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

Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Gerbing & Stephan, Bohemia circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable rare Art Nouveau Majolica vase by Gerbing & Stephan from the early period in Bohemia around 1910. The beautiful shaped grey blue c...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s
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

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

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Antique Lidded Italian Apothecary Jar with Rampant Lions Coat of Arms, 19th C.
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… This lidded Italian apothecary jar dates to the 1800s. The albarello has a white ground with a coat of arms hand-painted on the front. The heraldic d...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Paint

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

Majolica, Ceramic, Earthenware

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

19th Century French Majolica Beehive Tobacco Jar
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Beehive Tobacco Jar. North of France.
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair Large Green and Blue Majolica Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair large green and blue majolica apothecary jar vases. Italian cylindrical ribbed and slightly concave tin glaze earthenware jars by the famed Ca...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century French Ceramic Barbotine Wall Platter with Apples Signed Longchamp
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful, antique Majolica plate was sculpted in France, circa 1880. The large, round, hand painted platter features pink flowers and three red and yellow apples hanging from a ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Pansies Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Large Oval Majolica basket with pansies flowers signed Sarreguemines, circa 1920.
Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Monumental Sarreguemines Urn
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This impressively sized urn is marked on the bottom, “Sarreguemines/1906//H”, “Made in Germany” with the Lorraine Coat of Arms . Nicolas-Henri Jacobi along with his two partners esta...
Category

Early 1900s German Belle Époque Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

Antique Ginori Istoriato Style Italian Maiolica Pottery Pilgrim Flask & Stopper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Maiolica pilgrim flask & stopper by Ginori. Decorated in the Urbino istoriato style with polychrome cherubs to the front and a lan...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Majolica Cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Trompe l'oeil basket with cherries handle signed Sarreguemines, circa 1940.  
Category

1940s French Country Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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

Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Parakeets Garniture set with 2 vases and a jardinière planter signed Sarreguemines, circa 1880. Model 7122. Measures: Jardinière / Height 6.2", length 11" on 6". Vases / ...
Category

1880s European Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of fish, seaweeds,starfish. Nautical style. Diameter / 7.5 by 6"  
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, 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

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

J. Holdcroft Majolica Japonisme Cobalt Box & Cover, Signed, English, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Japonisme square shaped box and cover, glazed in cobalt blue, with relief molded flying cranes, flowering prunus branches, and squirrels, the cover bordered...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

James Hadley Royal Worcester Rare Majolica Camel & Howdah
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

19th Century French Monumental Renaissance Style Majolica Grapes Blue Vase
Located in Austin, TX
19th century French monumental Majolica blue vase with large grapes leaves and fruit stand two large trompe l'oeil rings on the two sides. This vase...
Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience, Ceramic, Majolica

Rare Large Majolica Hen Jardinière Luneville, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare large Majolica Hen jardinière attributed to Luneville, circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, 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

Pair of 19th Century English Majolica Bamboo Vase
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

Majolica Tobacco Box Pot Jar by Johann Maresch, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for one of our rare Majolica items, an exceptional tobacco box pot or jar out of the sack series by Johann Maresch from the beginning of the 20th century. The beautiful...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Majolica White Rose Vase Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica White Rose Vase Circa 1900. H / 6.5 inches.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Turquoise Glaze and 24ct Gold Umbonate Majolica Vase, Italy, 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Umbonate vase by Antonietta Mazzotti Emaldi, 2018, Glazed earthenware (majolica) and 24ct gold, entirely handmade, unique piece. Available in two sizes: H 40cm / H 34cm 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Rare 19th Century Majolica Hen Vase, Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica hen vase Delphin Massier signed Vallauris, circa 1890.  
Category

1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Red Glazed Jardiniere With Lion Head Masks
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Jardiniere with lion head masks and garland detailing decorated with blended rich red majolica glaze.
Category

19th Century Irish Neoclassical Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Mid-Century French Hand Painted Barbotine Ceramic Fruit Basket Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a tabletop with this colorful, majolica basket composition. Crafted in France circa 1960, the centerpiece features a realistic assortment of fruits and vegetables in high re...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Goat Tobacco Jar Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica tobacco jar signed Onnaing, circa 1890. Decorated with a goat and wheat and leaves.
Category

1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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

Large 19th Century Majolica Vase with Birds 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

19th Century French Ceramic Barbotine Wall Platter with Apples Signed Longchamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen wall with this colorful, antique Majolica plate! Sculpted in France, circa 1880, the large platter is round in shape, and features hand painted motifs with three ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Brown Westhead Moore Majolica Owl Figure
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Brown Westhead Moore & Co majolica figural which features an owl perched on a branch. The owl with original glass eyes. Coloration: brown, cream, ...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

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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Her space on the city’s Left Bank mixes mid-century pieces by the likes of Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso with whimsical contemporary creations.

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