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Majolica Decorative Objects

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Material: Majolica
Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s
Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s

Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s

By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

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 Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950
French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950

French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950

Located in Austin, TX

French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pate Tureen circa 1950.

Category

1950s French Rustic Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Bird Sculpture, White, Blue and Green Color, France 1960
Majolica Bird Sculpture, White, Blue and Green Color, France 1960

Majolica Bird Sculpture, White, Blue and Green Color, France 1960

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Magnificent Majolica, with splendid blue and green white colors. This sculpture was made in the 1960s in France. It is very heavy, and there is a remarkable know-how of the artist.

Category

1960s French Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

James Hadley Royal Worcester Rare Majolica Camel & Howdah
James Hadley Royal Worcester Rare Majolica Camel & Howdah

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

19th Century Majolica Portuguese Palissy Tobacco Jar Manuel Mafra
19th Century Majolica Portuguese Palissy Tobacco Jar Manuel Mafra

19th Century Majolica Portuguese Palissy Tobacco Jar Manuel Mafra

By Manuel Mafra 1

Located in Austin, TX

Large Portuguese Palissy tobacco jar attributed to Manuel Mafra. This tobacco jar is decorated in high relief of a frog, large butterflies, bugs, shells, a snake, a crocodile, on the lid a large shell with a lizard on the top, a butterfly and a bug. Very rich decoration all-over the pot. Reference / Page 38 " Portuguese Palissy Ware...

Category

1890s Portuguese Rustic Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Portuguese Majolica Vibrant Colored Crowing Rooster on Rectangular Base, C 1884
Portuguese Majolica Vibrant Colored Crowing Rooster on Rectangular Base, C 1884

Portuguese Majolica Vibrant Colored Crowing Rooster on Rectangular Base, C 1884

Located in Charleston, SC

Portuguese Majolica vibrantly colored crowing rooster standing on rectangular foliage base, Late 19th Century Stamped underneath base by maker Bordallo Pinheiro

Category

1880s Portuguese Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain, Paint

Blue Ceramic Potiche Centerpiece Vase Lid Majolica Hand Painted Deruta Italy
Blue Ceramic Potiche Centerpiece Vase Lid Majolica Hand Painted Deruta Italy

Blue Ceramic Potiche Centerpiece Vase Lid Majolica Hand Painted Deruta Italy

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

Our elegant "Blue Parrots" potiche was handmade using the potter's wheel and then painted entirely by hand in Deruta, a town in central Italy that is among the most famous for majoli...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Sculpture
Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Sculpture

Talavera China Poblana Tile Doll Statue Mexican Art Majolica Woman Sculpture

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. 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

Rooster Yellow and Green Glazed Ceramic Pitcher, France, 1950s
Rooster Yellow and Green Glazed Ceramic Pitcher, France, 1950s

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

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Vallauris Ceramic Majolica Candle Holder/ Candlestick,  1960s
Vallauris Ceramic Majolica Candle Holder/ Candlestick,  1960s

Vallauris Ceramic Majolica Candle Holder/ Candlestick, 1960s

By Vallauris

Located in Barcelona, ES

Glazed Ceramic Candle Holder by Vallauris, France, 1950-1960s Beautiful candle holder for two candles in fat lava glazed ceramic. Nice colors: Shades of brown with white and red acc...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1940
Majolica Cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1940

Majolica Cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1940

By Sarreguemines

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

French Pottery Majolica Tureen circa 1930
French Pottery Majolica Tureen circa 1930

French Pottery Majolica Tureen circa 1930

Located in Austin, TX

French Pottery Majolica Tureen circa 1930.

Category

1930s French Rustic Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Second Half 18th Century France Shaped Planters "Commode" Nevers Manufacture
Second Half 18th Century France Shaped Planters "Commode" Nevers Manufacture

Second Half 18th Century France Shaped Planters "Commode" Nevers Manufacture

By Nevers

Located in Puglia, Puglia

Collection of four beautiful polychrome majolica planters. 'Nevers' manufacture, second half of the 18th century. The planters are in the shape of 'commodes', typical French bedside ...

Category

1760s French Rococo Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Delphin Massier Mallard Duck Wall Pocket
Delphin Massier Mallard Duck Wall Pocket

Delphin Massier Mallard Duck Wall Pocket

By Delphin Massier

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Delphin Massier Majolica wall pocket which features a duck (mallard) in flight, with wings raised. Colouration: white, pink, teal blue are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks ...

Category

1890s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Elephant Tobacco Jar Onnaing
19th Century Majolica Elephant Tobacco Jar Onnaing

19th Century Majolica Elephant Tobacco Jar Onnaing

By 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

Midcentury Set Majolica Red Fish Ceramic Covered Sauce Tureen Box Salt & Pepper
Midcentury Set Majolica Red Fish Ceramic Covered Sauce Tureen Box Salt & Pepper

Midcentury Set Majolica Red Fish Ceramic Covered Sauce Tureen Box Salt & Pepper

By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

Located in Coimbra, PT

Gorgeous small size set hyper realistic glazed ceramic fish covered sauce tureen and salt and pepper in shades of vibrant red and grey with dark accents ...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Palissy Puttis Jardinière, circa 1880
Majolica Palissy Puttis Jardinière, circa 1880

Majolica Palissy Puttis Jardinière, circa 1880

By Thomas Victor Sergent

Located in Austin, TX

Oversize Palissy jardinière inspired by the Renaissance attributed to Thomas Sergent, circa 1880. Fauns heads handles. The School of Paris was composed by makers as Victor Barbizet...

Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Rare 19th Century English Majolica Duck Tureen William Brownfield
Rare 19th Century English Majolica Duck Tureen William Brownfield

Rare 19th Century English Majolica Duck Tureen William Brownfield

By William Brownfield

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th century English Majolica duck on nest tureen attributed to William Brownfield. The duck is brown, green and grey, the interior of the tureen is aqua turquoise like several...

Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier
19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier

19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Fine French Majolica pink rose vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1880. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and painti...

Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

TIC for Raymor Majolica Textured Fritte Glaze Bowl, Italy 1960s
TIC for Raymor Majolica Textured Fritte Glaze Bowl, Italy 1960s

TIC for Raymor Majolica Textured Fritte Glaze Bowl, Italy 1960s

By Bitossi, Raymor

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Unusual majolica bowl or catchall features wavy, gently manipulated rim, juxtaposed with complex textured Fritte glaze on the bottom of the bowl. The contrast between glossy, organi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Organic Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta, Majolica

Majolica Triple Bamboo Vase with Birds Massier, circa 1880
Majolica Triple Bamboo Vase with Birds Massier, circa 1880

Majolica Triple Bamboo Vase with Birds Massier, circa 1880

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

A large Majolica triple bamboo vase decorated with four birds attributed to Delphin Massier, circa 1880.

Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, 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

French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950
French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950

French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pâté Tureen circa 1950

Located in Austin, TX

Large French Pottery Majolica Rabbit Pate Tureen circa 1950.

Category

1950s French Rustic Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica Peaches Vase
Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica Peaches Vase

Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica Peaches Vase

By Brown Westhead Moore

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Brown Westhead Moore and Co Majolica vase which features deeply raised peaches hanging on a blossoming branch to the front. Plums to the reverse. Loop handles either side. Brown grou...

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Flower Vase, Early Art Deco, Blue Yellow Run Glaze, Ceramic, ~ 1915, France
Flower Vase, Early Art Deco, Blue Yellow Run Glaze, Ceramic, ~ 1915, France

Flower Vase, Early Art Deco, Blue Yellow Run Glaze, Ceramic, ~ 1915, France

Located in Wien, AT

Very decorative vase from the early art deco period, made in France. This object has a shape that looks like the ancient Greek amphorae, but has a four-pass stand to ensure stabili...

Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880
Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880

Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880

By Sarreguemines

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

19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Charming 19th century small majolica vase with white dog who look on a bucket signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most important ceramics...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Capodimonte Wall Platters
Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Capodimonte Wall Platters

Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Capodimonte Wall Platters

By Capodimonte

Located in Dallas, TX

This beautiful pair of majolica wall plates would elevate any living room, kitchen, or dining room wall. Created in Italy circa 1980 and done in the Capodimonte style with high relief, each barbotine...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain

Pair Large Green and Blue Majolica Vases
Pair Large Green and Blue Majolica Vases

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

Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Figurine Statues
Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Figurine Statues

Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Figurine Statues

By Capodimonte

Located in Dallas, TX

This beautiful pair of majolica figurines would elevate any living room, kitchen, or entry way. Created in Italy circa 1950 and done in the Capodimonte style, the large barbotine statues depict a couple of young adults in traditional Italian clothing. The peasant girl is shown wearing a green dress, blue shawl, pink apron and red hair covering, and carries a traveling sack and a basket of fruit. The young man, also dressed humbly in brown trousers and a green vest...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain

Majolica George Jones Fox Serving Tray circa 1869
Majolica George Jones Fox Serving Tray circa 1869

Majolica George Jones Fox Serving Tray circa 1869

By George Jones

Located in Austin, TX

Elegant pink Majolica serving dish decorated with a three green vine leaves, the handle formed as a fox peering into the bowl with its tail appearing on the mottled underside signed ...

Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Vase Vessel Majolica Damask Renaissance Black Yellow Hand Painted Italy Deruta
Vase Vessel Majolica Damask Renaissance Black Yellow Hand Painted Italy Deruta

Vase Vessel Majolica Damask Renaissance Black Yellow Hand Painted Italy Deruta

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

Majolica vase with a black background decorated in golden yellow. the vase is formed by a very slender body and a flared neck ending with a rather everted edge: it is handmade and ha...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

Blue Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Blue Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary

Blue Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary

By Bottega Vignoli

Located in London, GB

Bottega Vignoli - Gio Spherical Vase, 2026 Hand-thrown molded shape, Hand-Painted Majolica full reduction firing Approx 28cm diameter Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Fa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair of Jerome Massier Hen & Rooster Vases
Pair of Jerome Massier Hen & Rooster Vases

Pair of Jerome Massier Hen & Rooster Vases

By Jerome Massier

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Pair of Jerome Massier French Majolica figural vases which feature a pair of chickens - a cockerel and a hen, stood in front of wheatsheaf receptacles. Colouration: yellow, teal blue...

Category

1910s Victorian Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Italian Della Robbia Terra-Cotta Pottery Planter
Italian Della Robbia Terra-Cotta Pottery Planter

Italian Della Robbia Terra-Cotta Pottery Planter

By Della Robbia Pottery

Located in Southampton, NJ

A scarcely seen early 20th century high relief hand made & painted Terra Cotta pottery planter in the manner of Della Robbia. Generous dimensions, beautifu...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Unique Ceramic Portret Buste, Girl with Blue Hair by Erwin Spuler 1930s, Germany
Unique Ceramic Portret Buste, Girl with Blue Hair by Erwin Spuler 1930s, Germany

Unique Ceramic Portret Buste, Girl with Blue Hair by Erwin Spuler 1930s, Germany

By Majolica Manufactory of Karlsruhe

Located in Antwerp, BE

Beautiful sculpture in brown earthenware modeled in the expression of a woman in polychrome glaze with blue hair, made in Germany, 1930s. Erwin Spuler (1906-1964), who initially studied at the School of Applied Arts in Stuttgart, studied with Georg Scholz...

Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Hand Painted Floral & Figural Vase
Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Hand Painted Floral & Figural Vase

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

Humorous Majolica Frog Vase
Humorous Majolica Frog Vase

Humorous Majolica Frog Vase

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Majolica vase which features two seated frogs, either side of a screen. Coloration: Brown, green, blue, are predominant.  

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern
Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern

Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Playful bud vase is hand painted with bright and cheerful decor of houses, fruits, and flowers that wraps around the vase and creates a surrealistic landscape. The rim is defined wi...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Minton Majolica Marine Vase with Merboys
Minton Majolica Marine Vase with Merboys

Minton Majolica Marine Vase with Merboys

By Minton

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Minton Majolica vase which features three merboys supporting a vessel adorned with seaweeds. The rim of the vase is modelled to depict breaking waves. Dark maroon ground version. Col...

Category

1860s Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

Pair Italian Yellow Faience Majolica Lidded Urns
Pair Italian Yellow Faience Majolica Lidded Urns

Pair Italian Yellow Faience Majolica Lidded Urns

Located in New York, NY

Pair Italian yellow faience majolica lidded urns. Striking pair of large scale baluster form urns in Levantino Albisola style with medallions depicting va...

Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Faience

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

Hand-painted Green Italian Majolica Dishes with Goldfish, 1950s
Hand-painted Green Italian Majolica Dishes with Goldfish, 1950s

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

Contemporary Ceramic Vase Vessel Sculpture Shiny Metallic Luster made in Italy
Contemporary Ceramic Vase Vessel Sculpture Shiny Metallic Luster made in Italy

Contemporary Ceramic Vase Vessel Sculpture Shiny Metallic Luster made in Italy

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

The sculptural vase 'Panoplia Titanium' is distinguished by its particular shape characterized by an alternance of voids and overlapping solids that make it a vase with 'a thousand f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

Mid-Century Modern Italian Ceramic Coral Pink Vase Vintage
Mid-Century Modern Italian Ceramic Coral Pink Vase Vintage

Mid-Century Modern Italian Ceramic Coral Pink Vase Vintage

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Mid-century modern ceramic vase was made in Italy for Americal importer. Its sleek and elegant form combines functional beauty and meticulous craftsmanship. The vase is finished wit...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Pair Jerome Massier Hen & Cockerel Figural Vases by P. Perret
Pair Jerome Massier Hen & Cockerel Figural Vases by P. Perret

Pair Jerome Massier Hen & Cockerel Figural Vases by P. Perret

By Pierre Perret et Jerome Massier Fils

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Pair of Jerome Massier Fils Majolica figural vases which feature a hen and a rooster, stood in front of a vase. The vase has leaves and wheat around the sides. Colouration: brown, ye...

Category

1910s French Vintage 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.