Skip to main content

Majolica Furniture

to
140
1,061
591
1,548
134
6
268
219
147
62
51
24
22
15
14
7
3
2
1
1
1
35
830
683
140
253
299
26
121
12
39
40
9
68
21
6
6
4
1,691
367,528
302,874
210,829
154,496
1,526
761
347
185
166
1,688
1,621
1,664
77
60
59
59
57
Material: Majolica
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Samuel Lear
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Samuel Lear

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Samuel Lear

By Samuel Lear

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th Century, English Majolica Oyster plate by Samuel Lear. Red flowers.

Category

1870s Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Colorful Palissy Majolica wall fish Handled platter signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi, circa 1880.

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Parrot Tulip Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1900
Majolica Parrot Tulip Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1900

Majolica Parrot Tulip Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1900

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica Parrot Tulip Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1900. Height / 9.5 inches. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incr...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

French Majolica Frog Pitcher Fives Lille, circa 1890
French Majolica Frog Pitcher Fives Lille, circa 1890

French Majolica Frog Pitcher Fives Lille, circa 1890

By Fives-Lille

Located in Austin, TX

Unusual Majolica frog pitcher wearing a brown jacket signed Fives Lille, circa 1890.

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Green Majolica oyster plate, six white wells on a green basket weave, circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Small Majolica Water Lily Pond Plate Wasmuel, circa 1890
Small Majolica Water Lily Pond Plate Wasmuel, circa 1890

Small Majolica Water Lily Pond Plate Wasmuel, circa 1890

By Wasmuel Majolica

Located in Austin, TX

Small Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.6 inches diameter , 8 plates available.  

Category

1890s Belgian Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Platter Orchies, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Platter Orchies, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Platter Orchies, circa 1900

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

Large French majolica oyster platter with handle Orchies, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Portuguese Majolica Palissy Pears Platter Circa 1930
Portuguese Majolica Palissy Pears Platter Circa 1930

Portuguese Majolica Palissy Pears Platter Circa 1930

Located in Austin, TX

Portuguese Majolica pears platter signed , circa 1930.

Category

1930s Portuguese Country Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

5 Light Italian Gilt, Ceramic Rose Flower Tole Chandelier Hollywood Regency 1940
5 Light Italian Gilt, Ceramic Rose Flower Tole Chandelier Hollywood Regency 1940

5 Light Italian Gilt, Ceramic Rose Flower Tole Chandelier Hollywood Regency 1940

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Add a touch of Italian opulence to your home with this charming chandelier! Perfect flowers, made of Majolica, to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an...

Category

1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Square Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Longchamp
19th Century Square Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Longchamp

19th Century Square Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Large French Majolica Palissy square platter signed Longchamp. Decorated with fishs, and 4 shells on the corners , bamboo border.

Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1900

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

French aqua turquoise Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1900. 6 shells and space for the lemon on the center.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Oyster Platter Longchamp, circa 1890
Majolica Oyster Platter Longchamp, circa 1890

Majolica Oyster Platter Longchamp, circa 1890

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica 9 shells platter signed Longchamp, circa 1890. Reference / Page 142 "Collecting Oysters Plates" of J. B. Snyder.

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Faience Peacock Wall Pocket Saint Clement
French Faience Peacock Wall Pocket Saint Clement

French Faience Peacock Wall Pocket Saint Clement

By Saint-Clément

Located in Austin, TX

Large French faience peacock Wall Pocket signed Saint Clement.

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Green Majolica oyster plate, six white wells on a green basket weave, circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Palissy Sardines Wall Platter Leon Brard
19th Century Majolica Palissy Sardines Wall Platter Leon Brard

19th Century Majolica Palissy Sardines Wall Platter Leon Brard

By Léon Brard 1

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Trompe l'oeil composition platter of Leon Brard with sardines on a rustic blue and white platter in the Rouen style. In 1859 fascinated by the work of Avisseau Leon Brar...

Category

1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Set of 12 Majolica Oyster Plates with Matching Server, 19th Century
Set of 12 Majolica Oyster Plates with Matching Server, 19th Century

Set of 12 Majolica Oyster Plates with Matching Server, 19th Century

By Longchamp

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This striking set comprises twelve majolica oyster plates and one large matching serving platter, beautifully crafted in the style of Longchamp, France. Each plate features a vivid g...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Ceramic, Majolica

Iconic Wall Clock Junghans Uhren, Hard to Find Marmolada Design Max Bill
Iconic Wall Clock Junghans Uhren, Hard to Find Marmolada Design Max Bill

Iconic Wall Clock Junghans Uhren, Hard to Find Marmolada Design Max Bill

By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH

Located in Bochum, NRW

Important modernist glazed ceramic kitchen clock designed by Max Bill for Junghans, Germany 1956, featuring a 60-minute timer, a mechanical 8-day movement, a yellow-and-white ceramic...

Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Brass

Majolica Brown Rabbit Tureen Caugant
Majolica Brown Rabbit Tureen Caugant

Majolica Brown Rabbit Tureen Caugant

By Michel Caugant

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica rabbit tureen signed Caugant, circa 1940.

Category

1950s French Country Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

George Jones Majolica Iris & Water Lily Pitcher, English, ca. 1875
George Jones Majolica Iris & Water Lily Pitcher, English, ca. 1875

George Jones Majolica Iris & Water Lily Pitcher, English, ca. 1875

By George Jones

Located in Banner Elk, NC

A George Jones Majolica Pitcher with Relief-Molded Irises, Daffodils, and Water-Lilies, English, ca. 1875. The branch-form handle, top rim, and spout are banded in white and yellow g...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890
French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate with seaweeds Salins (East of France) circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large 19th Century Majolica Lemons Wall Platter
Large 19th Century Majolica Lemons Wall Platter

Large 19th Century Majolica Lemons Wall Platter

Located in Austin, TX

Large 19th Century Majolica Lemons Wall Platter from the South of France. Diameter / 13.3 inches.  

Category

1890s Finnish Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Spanish Terracotta Erotic Pitcher
Spanish Terracotta Erotic Pitcher

Spanish Terracotta Erotic Pitcher

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish Terracotta Erotic Pitcher Man Phallic Design, Spain, 1960s. Handcrafted glazed terracotta ceramic phallic pitcher features a jug form as a m...

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica, Terracotta

Large French Majolica Bulldog Wall Platter Circa 1890
Large French Majolica Bulldog Wall Platter Circa 1890

Large French Majolica Bulldog Wall Platter Circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

Large French Majolica Bulldog Wall Platter Circa 1890. Diameter / 11.3 inches.

Category

1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

French Majolica Asparagus Platter circa 1900
French Majolica Asparagus Platter circa 1900

French Majolica Asparagus Platter circa 1900

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica asparagus platter with leaves and oak leaves circa 1890. One hairline.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890

French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.    

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves Cache Pots Luneville Circa 1890
Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves Cache Pots Luneville Circa 1890

Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves Cache Pots Luneville Circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves signed Luneville Cache Pots Circa 1890, H / 7 inches , D / 9 inches by 7 inches.

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Cheese Serving Tray, 1950s
French Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Cheese Serving Tray, 1950s

French Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Cheese Serving Tray, 1950s

By Vallauris

Located in Barcelona, ES

Cool round shaped woven motif ceramic platter for cheese of desserts, France, 1950s. This beautiful platter features a circular base with woven pattern. A handle at the central part ...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Ceramic, Pottery, Majolica

Art Nouveau Faience Handled Vase with Drip Glaze, Belgium
Art Nouveau Faience Handled Vase with Drip Glaze, Belgium

Art Nouveau Faience Handled Vase with Drip Glaze, Belgium

By Wasmuel Majolica, Denbac, Thulin

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Striking large ceramic vase features the organic, rounded shape with 3 curved, free-flowing decorative handles. It is decorated in characteristic Belgian Art Nouveau style with the u...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890

Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges Salins, circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pink Cabbage Glazed Ceramic Small Tureen or Bowl, Portugal, 1960s
Pink Cabbage Glazed Ceramic Small Tureen or Bowl, Portugal, 1960s

Pink Cabbage Glazed Ceramic Small Tureen or Bowl, Portugal, 1960s

By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

Located in Barcelona, ES

A lovely hand painted Majolica ceramic pink cabbage small tureen, sugar bowl or sauceboat with lid. Manufactured by Bordallo Pinheiro. Portugal, 1960s This eye-catching small cabbage tureen...

Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

19th Century Majolica Aqua Shell Oyster Platter Sarreguemines
19th Century Majolica Aqua Shell Oyster Platter Sarreguemines

19th Century Majolica Aqua Shell Oyster Platter Sarreguemines

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

Oversize 19th Century Majolica turquoise aqua oyster platter signed Sarreguemines. The platter have 12 shells between rope pattern and seaweeds.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien
19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien

19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien

By Gien

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th century Majolica oyster plate with pastels colors, shells and seaweeds signed Gien.  

Category

1890s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Bulldog Terracotta Pug Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
‎Life-Size Italian Bulldog Terracotta Pug Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s

‎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 Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien
19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien

19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien

By Gien

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th century Majolica oyster plate with pastels colors, shells and seaweeds signed Gien.

Category

1890s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Midcentury Ceramic Fish Plates Wall Composition / Wall Decoration
Midcentury Ceramic Fish Plates Wall Composition / Wall Decoration

Midcentury Ceramic Fish Plates Wall Composition / Wall Decoration

Set of Midcentury multi color fish Plates and Platters as Wall Decoration A funny collection of eleven european glazed ceramic, porcelain and...

Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain, Terracotta

Mid Century Modern Large Sculptural Rimini Blue Table Lamp, 1950s
Mid Century Modern Large Sculptural Rimini Blue Table Lamp, 1950s

Mid Century Modern Large Sculptural Rimini Blue Table Lamp, 1950s

By Aldo Londi, Bitossi

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Tall, sculptural ceramic table lamp in Rimini Blue glaze features an oversized body, decorated with the wide bands of insized, imprinted geomentic motifs; the lamp is mounted on the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

I.C.S. Majolica Plaque Mother and Child, Madonna, Italy 1927-1940
I.C.S. Majolica Plaque Mother and Child, Madonna, Italy 1927-1940

I.C.S. Majolica Plaque Mother and Child, Madonna, Italy 1927-1940

By Industria Ceramica Salernitana

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Charming vintage decorative plaque depicts mother and child, most possibly Madonna and Child, done in relief and decorated with majolica glazes. Teal and blue glazes, used for the dress and the headdress, contrast beautifully with burnt orange used as a background color. Abstract palm tree...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Frog with Mandolin Delphin Massier, circa 1900
Majolica Frog with Mandolin Delphin Massier, circa 1900

Majolica Frog with Mandolin Delphin Massier, circa 1900

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Art Nouveau Majolica frog who playing mandolin signed Delphin Massier circa 1900. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings.

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Minton Pineapple Pitcher
19th Century Majolica Minton Pineapple Pitcher

19th Century Majolica Minton Pineapple Pitcher

By Minton

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Majolica Minton Pineapple Pitcher.

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Ceramic Fish Shaped Snack Cocktail Serving Tray / Wall Decoration, 1950s
Ceramic Fish Shaped Snack Cocktail Serving Tray / Wall Decoration, 1950s

Ceramic Fish Shaped Snack Cocktail Serving Tray / Wall Decoration, 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Large glazed ceramic amber and black fish platter / wall plate, Spain, 1950s. The perfect serving piece for entertainment or party with four compartments. It can be hung on the wall ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier
19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier

19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century French Majolica Purple Flower Delphin Massier. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incredible whole rang...

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Rubboli Lustre Majolica Pitcher Vase Mythical Beasts Decor
Rubboli Lustre Majolica Pitcher Vase Mythical Beasts Decor

Rubboli Lustre Majolica Pitcher Vase Mythical Beasts Decor

By Rubboli

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Striking ceramic Neo-Renaissance Rubboli pitcher vase features cobalt, red and gold Lustre majolica glaze decoration. Hand-painted decor follows the traditional shape of the piece, with abstract pattern accentuating the base and the top of the vase, and motifs of mythical beasts surrounding central medallion with another mythical creature. The vase is marked on the bottom; the mark "A.R. Italy" dates the piece to 1936-1975. We are offering a large sculptural vase, decorated n the same style, also by Alberto Rubboli, in a separate listing; the vases can be displayed together for a stunning presentation. The vase is a striking example of the revival of the magnificent Italian Renaissance decoration of the 16th century. In late 19th century the 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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Majolica

Vintage Set of French Majolica Fruit Plates by Saint-Clément
Vintage Set of French Majolica Fruit Plates by Saint-Clément

Vintage Set of French Majolica Fruit Plates by Saint-Clément

By Saint-Clément

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A highly collectible set of eight Majolica fruit plates by the renowned French earthenware manufacturer Saint-Clément, founded by Jacques Chambrette in 1758 and a favoured supplier f...

Category

Early 20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique Blue Art Nouveau Vase Rococo Style 38cm
Antique Blue Art Nouveau Vase Rococo Style 38cm

Antique Blue Art Nouveau Vase Rococo Style 38cm

By Gustave De Bruyn

Located in Poperinge, BE

Ceramic vase made of majolica earthenware, elaborately decorated with a typical Art Nouveau design, featuring leaves, stems, and curves inspired by the rocaille or rococo style, circ...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique and Vintage Majolica Platters, Pottery and Other Furniture and Decor

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 majolica plates, pitchers, decorative objects and other pieces 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.