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Majolica Furniture

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Material: Majolica
Rare George Jones Majolica Muffin Dish with Snake Handle
Rare George Jones Majolica Muffin Dish with Snake Handle

Rare George Jones Majolica Muffin Dish with Snake Handle

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

George Jones Majolica muffin dish and cover which features a snake forming the handle. Stiff leaves decorating the borders. Turquoise ground version. Colouration: green, turquoise, g...

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique Majolica Jardinière by Gustave de Bruyn Fives Lille Cherubs Lions Cobalt
Antique Majolica Jardinière by Gustave de Bruyn Fives Lille Cherubs Lions Cobalt

Antique Majolica Jardinière by Gustave de Bruyn Fives Lille Cherubs Lions Cobalt

By Fives-Lille, Gustave De Bruyn

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This Majolica jardinière is richly decorated, featuring a deep cobalt blue glaze as the base color. The sides are adorned with cherubs and lion heads in golden and brown tones, refle...

Category

Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Alvino Bagni for Raymor Italy Sea Garden Vase Vessel Ceramic 1960s
Alvino Bagni for Raymor Italy Sea Garden Vase Vessel Ceramic 1960s

Alvino Bagni for Raymor Italy Sea Garden Vase Vessel Ceramic 1960s

By Alvino Bagni, Raymor

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vase or vessel was made by Alvino Bagni for Raymor as a part of his Sea Garden series. Sea Garden series includes vases, ashtrays, lamps, and other decor items done in complex turqu...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960
Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960

Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This charming vintage French ceramic pitcher takes the form of a stylized owl, beautifully rendered in the tradition of mid-20th century barbotine ware. Likely dating from the 1960s–...

Category

20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Paint, Majolica

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher
19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

By Saint-Clément

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

An unusual and very quirky vintage Majolica barbotine water or wine pitcher in the shape of a mallard duck, made by Keller et Guérin's earthenware factory at Saint Clément, near Luné...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica

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 ...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, 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

19th Century Majolica Asparagus & Artichoke Tureen Saint Amand
19th Century Majolica Asparagus & Artichoke Tureen Saint Amand

19th Century Majolica Asparagus & Artichoke Tureen Saint Amand

By Saint Amand

Located in Austin, TX

This French Majolica footed tureen is a bunch of asparagus surrounded by large artichoke leaves with his original under platter is one of the rare example of asparagus tureens made a...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare Signed Monaco Majolica Double Candlesticks with Marine Décor
Rare Signed Monaco Majolica Double Candlesticks with Marine Décor

Rare Signed Monaco Majolica Double Candlesticks with Marine Décor

By Manufacture de Porcelaine de Monte Carlo

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A captivating pair of signed Monaco majolica double candlesticks, exquisitely hand-crafted and hand-painted, celebrating the luminous beauty of the Mediterranean. The sculptural desi...

Category

20th Century French Rococo Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Paint, Porcelain

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

19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate

Located in Winter Park, FL

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

Category

19th Century American Beaux Arts Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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 Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

19th Century Majolica Chocolate Oyster Plate Luneville
19th Century Majolica Chocolate Oyster Plate Luneville

19th Century Majolica Chocolate Oyster Plate Luneville

By Luneville

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Majolica chocolate oyster plate with green seaweeds Luneville. Reference: Page 43 "Oyster plates" of J. Karsnitz.

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair Fives-Lille Majolica Butterfly Wall Pockets
Pair Fives-Lille Majolica Butterfly Wall Pockets

Pair Fives-Lille Majolica Butterfly Wall Pockets

By Fives-Lille

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Pair of Fives-Lille French Majolica wall pockets which feature a tall, trumpet-shaped flower emerging from a dense ground of overlapping leaves. A butterfly sits on the flower. Colou...

Category

Early 1900s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier
Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier

By Jerome Massier

Located in Choudrant, LA

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier. Direct from France, a rare and unique French majolica piece that features a multitude of birds arou...

Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Vintage Set of 12 Art Nouveau Style Tube Lined Tiles Fruit Basket NOS
Vintage Set of 12 Art Nouveau Style Tube Lined Tiles Fruit Basket NOS

Vintage Set of 12 Art Nouveau Style Tube Lined Tiles Fruit Basket NOS

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

A vintage set of 12 ceramic majolica wall tile depicting a still life of a fruit basket made in tube line technique dating to the 1950s by unknown manufacturer. The full set is in ne...

Category

1950s German Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate
19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate

19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate

By Rörstrand

Located in Pearland, TX

A lovely antique 19th-Century Swedish chestnut leaf majolica dessert plate produced by the renowned Rörstrand company, one of Sweden's oldest ceramic factories, circa 1880. Impressed...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

German Majolica Plate with Morning Glory, circa 1900
German Majolica Plate with Morning Glory, circa 1900

German Majolica Plate with Morning Glory, circa 1900

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Early 20th century German majolica plate with morning glory on a blue basket weave and a brown border, circa 1900. Small cracks in the glazing, glazing craquelure, chip at the backsi...

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Majolica Pears Pitcher Orchies, circa 1890
French Majolica Pears Pitcher Orchies, circa 1890

French Majolica Pears Pitcher Orchies, circa 1890

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica pitcher with pears Orchies, circa 1890.

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large Vallauris Blue White Ceramic Fat Lava Round Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s
Large Vallauris Blue White Ceramic Fat Lava Round Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s

Large Vallauris Blue White Ceramic Fat Lava Round Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s

By Vallauris

Located in Barcelona, ES

French mid-century Vallauris ashtray / bowl, Glazed Ceramic Beautiful fat lava glazed ceramic ashtray in dark blue and soft blue hues and white accents. Manufactured by Vallauris. France, 1950s. This cool ashtray was handcrafted in France at the Mid-20th century period. Its design in shades of blue and white fat lava ceramic on a cobalt blue background . It has four cigarrette or cigars holders. Highly decorative piece! This colorful piece will be the perfect gift for smokers. Also useful as jewelry bowl , decorative bowl or vide-poche. Overall Measures: 19 cm diameter x 9 cm height (7,48 in diameter x 3,54 in height). Vallauris Ceramic Round Bowl // Glazed Ceramic Fat Lava Bowl...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp
19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Colorful 19th century French Majolica grapes wall platter signed Longchamp terre de fer. The fruits are in high relief with the leaves and branches. The ma...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950

By Vallauris

Located in Austin, TX

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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900

Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900

By Jerome Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of Majolica morning glory vases Jerome Massier, circa 1900. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incredible whole...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Eichwald Secessionist Majolica Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl
Eichwald Secessionist Majolica Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl

Eichwald Secessionist Majolica Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl

By Eichwald

Located in Doylestown, PA

Striking antique majolica pedestal bowl hand-painted in yellow, pink, green and black glazes by Eichwald, early 20th century. It features classic art nouveau decorative elements with...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Vase Vessel Ceramic Centerpiece Ornament Aquamarine Majolica Flower Holder Italy
Vase Vessel Ceramic Centerpiece Ornament Aquamarine Majolica Flower Holder Italy

Vase Vessel Ceramic Centerpiece Ornament Aquamarine Majolica Flower Holder Italy

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

Large majolic vase in green aquamarine color, glazed in polychrome, characterized by the elegant presence of naturalistic ornamental motifs that enhance its forms beautifully. Its po...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

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

Large Majolica Wall Pocket Dog Delphin Massier, circa 1890

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Large French Majolica dog wall pocke Delphin Massier. Height / 8.5 inches. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family produced di...

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp
19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Colorful 19th century French Majolica grapes wall platter signed Longchamp terre de fer. The fruits are in high relief with the leaves and branches. The ma...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Minton Majolica Twin Handled Game Pie Dish & Cover
Minton Majolica Twin Handled Game Pie Dish & Cover

Minton Majolica Twin Handled Game Pie Dish & Cover

By Minton

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A stylish and impressive antique English majolica pottery game pie dish and cover by renowned and sought after maker Minton and dated 1867. The earthenware dish stands raised on four...

Category

1860s English Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

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

Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl

Located in Hudson, NY

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

Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Chick with Egg Vase Jerome Massier circa 1900
Majolica Chick with Egg Vase Jerome Massier circa 1900

Majolica Chick with Egg Vase Jerome Massier circa 1900

By Jerome Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Rare Majolica chick with egg vase Jerome Massier with hand painted blue flowers, circa 1900. Length / 4.5 on 3.2 inches, height / 5 inches.

Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Hand-painted Majolica Table Lamp with Handles, Italy 1940s - 1960s
Hand-painted Majolica Table Lamp with Handles, Italy 1940s - 1960s

Hand-painted Majolica Table Lamp with Handles, Italy 1940s - 1960s

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Rare, unusual accent or table lamp features detailed relief decor in Italian Country style; the central band depicts nude female figures in a garden setting, with red flowers, leaves, and bowls garland motifs placed above and below the central design element. The decor is hand-painted over and around the raised reliefs. Urn-shaped lamp has two handles that are decorated to match the garlands motifs. The lamp is fully operational; it appears to be professionally rewired at some point, with Underwriters Lab...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Country Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Pair of French Majolica Rooster & Hen Circa 1890
Pair of French Majolica Rooster & Hen Circa 1890

Pair of French Majolica Rooster & Hen Circa 1890

By George Dreyfus

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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery

Antique Louis XV Style French Vitrine, Glass & Mirror, Circa 1890
Antique Louis XV Style French Vitrine, Glass & Mirror, Circa 1890

Antique Louis XV Style French Vitrine, Glass & Mirror, Circa 1890

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique French vitrine with glass on four sides. Interior has mirrored bottom shelf and one glass shelf in middle. Four corner mountings on top with ram's heads.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Mahogany

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

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

Located in Atlanta, GA

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

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique English Minton Majolica Pottery Blue Pottery Beer Jug Pitcher 1870
Antique English Minton Majolica Pottery Blue Pottery Beer Jug Pitcher 1870

Antique English Minton Majolica Pottery Blue Pottery Beer Jug Pitcher 1870

By Minton

Located in Portland, OR

Antique English Minton majolica jug/pitcher, circa 1870. A very handsome majolica jug, with a cobalt blue background, the spout of the jug is decorated with a yellow glazed mask of a...

Category

1870s English High Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Vases Jardinière Set of 3
Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Vases Jardinière Set of 3

Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Vases Jardinière Set of 3

Located in Poperinge, BE

Rare set of three Art Nouveau objects consisting of two identical vases and a matching jardinière, made of barbotine or majolica earthenware, numbered 2054 on the bottom, France, cir...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Earthenware

Majolica Oranges Plate by Keller & Guerin Saint Clement, France 1900s
Majolica Oranges Plate by Keller & Guerin Saint Clement, France 1900s

Majolica Oranges Plate by Keller & Guerin Saint Clement, France 1900s

By Saint-Clément

Located in Valencia, VC

Majolica plate by Keller et Guerin Saint-Clément featuring the oranges decor. Hand produced in France circa the 1900s. In beautiful condition. Very pretty. We specialized in 20th...

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Porcelain

Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish
Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish

Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish

By Joseph Holdcroft

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Holdcroft Majolica dish which features two entwined fish and coral. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, green, grey, are predominant.

Category

1880s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

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

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

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

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Acanthus Leaves Plate, circa 1880
French Majolica Acanthus Leaves Plate, circa 1880

French Majolica Acanthus Leaves Plate, circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica acanthus leaves plates, circa 1880. Rare yellow background usually found in green.  

Category

1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

George Jones Thatched Beehive Cheese Keeper
George Jones Thatched Beehive Cheese Keeper

George Jones Thatched Beehive Cheese Keeper

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

George Jones Majolica cheese keep which features a straw thatched beehive, bound with rope. The base in the form of a wooden platform. Yellow ground versio...

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher by Onnaing
19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher by Onnaing

19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher by Onnaing

By Onnaing

Located in Dallas, TX

Colorful antique water pitcher from Northern France, crafted, circa 1880, the pitcher, called "Maitre d'Hotel" (or butler), features a pig dressed as a waiter and seated on a chair. ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, 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 signed Salins (East of France) circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Carlo Corvi Wall Mirror by La Farnesiana, White Majolica, Italy, 1950
Carlo Corvi Wall Mirror by La Farnesiana, White Majolica, Italy, 1950

Carlo Corvi Wall Mirror by La Farnesiana, White Majolica, Italy, 1950

By La Farnesiana Parma

Located in London, England

Large mirror, The Farnesiana of Parma, designed by Carlo Corvi, made of white Majolic ceramic, is decorated with delicate flowers and measures 70 centimeters by 32 cm. Belonging to t...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Glass

English Majolica Pitcher with Flowers, circa 1890
English Majolica Pitcher with Flowers, circa 1890

English Majolica Pitcher with Flowers, circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

English Majolica pitcher with flowers, circa 1890 Measures: H 6", L 5.5" et 3.5".  

Category

1890s English Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century English Majolica Basket
19th Century English Majolica Basket

19th Century English Majolica Basket

Located in Austin, TX

English Majolica Victorian basket in pastel colors, circa 1890.

Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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.