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Majolica Furniture

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Material: Majolica
French 19th Century Glazed Majolica Lidded Fruit Dish with Grapes
French 19th Century Glazed Majolica Lidded Fruit Dish with Grapes

French 19th Century Glazed Majolica Lidded Fruit Dish with Grapes

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Majolica fruit dish from the 19th century with lid. Born in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this dish attracts our attention with its delicate arrangemen...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha
Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha

Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha

By Manuel Mafra 1

Located in Banner Elk, NC

Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, circa 1880 by Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha. For over 28 years we have been among the Nation’s preeminent specialists in Fine antique Majolica. Book Reference: Marshall P. Katz, Portuguese Palissy Ware...

Category

1880s Portuguese Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

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

19th Century French Montigny-sur-Loing Barbotine Jardinière with Floral Relief
19th Century French Montigny-sur-Loing Barbotine Jardinière with Floral Relief

19th Century French Montigny-sur-Loing Barbotine Jardinière with Floral Relief

Located in Dallas, TX

Bring sculptural color and texture to a tabletop or mantel with this elegant antique French barbotine jardinière, crafted in Montigny-sur-Loing circa 1860. The oval vessel is richly ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Pair Antique French Majolica Figural Bird Umbrella Stands, Circa 1890.
Pair Antique French Majolica Figural Bird Umbrella Stands, Circa 1890.

Pair Antique French Majolica Figural Bird Umbrella Stands, Circa 1890.

By Clement Massier

Located in New Orleans, LA

Pair Antique French Majolica Figural Bird Umbrella Stands, Circa 1890. Egret and Pelican in the Marshes Attributed to Clément Massier, renowned ceramist who came from a long family h...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

English Majolica Cat Figure, Possibly William Brownfield, Victorian, 1880
English Majolica Cat Figure, Possibly William Brownfield, Victorian, 1880

English Majolica Cat Figure, Possibly William Brownfield, Victorian, 1880

By William Brownfield

Located in Downingtown, PA

English Majolica Cat Figure, Possibly William Brownfield, Victorian, 1880 Circa 1880 Cats are the rarities of Victorian majolica — for every one of them, the potteries turned out a...

Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

English Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Floral Majolica Tile Panel, 18 Tiles
English Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Floral Majolica Tile Panel, 18 Tiles

English Hand-Painted Art Nouveau Floral Majolica Tile Panel, 18 Tiles

Located in Nottingham, GB

A striking and unusually large English hand-painted tube-lined ceramic tile panel, comprising 18 individual tiles decorated with a continuous stylised floral design. The composition...

Category

Early 20th Century 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 signed Salins (East of France) circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th Century French Majolica Egg Vase Delphin Massier
19th Century French Majolica Egg Vase Delphin Massier

19th Century French Majolica Egg Vase Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century French Majolica Egg shaped Vase Delphin Massier. Decorated with flowers a daisy ,a pansy and a wild rose. H / 4.3 inches. The Massier family are known for the quality of...

Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Set of Six Longchamp Terre de Fer Majolica Asparagus Plates
Set of Six Longchamp Terre de Fer Majolica Asparagus Plates

Set of Six Longchamp Terre de Fer Majolica Asparagus Plates

By Longchamp

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This beautiful set of six Longchamp Terre de Fer asparagus plates is a delightful example of 19th century French Majolica craftsmanship. Made by the historic Longchamp faïencerie in ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Enamel

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

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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Minton Majolica Centerpiece Tray 15-in, Lotus Flower on Green Ground, Dated 1863
Minton Majolica Centerpiece Tray 15-in, Lotus Flower on Green Ground, Dated 1863

Minton Majolica Centerpiece Tray 15-in, Lotus Flower on Green Ground, Dated 1863

By Minton

Located in Banner Elk, NC

Minton Majolica centerpiece, naturalistically modeled as a pond bed with simulated water glazed in cyan blue, with green glazed lily pads and flowering pond lilies (lotus), and reeds glazed in various shades of green, with brown and ochre-glazed cattails molded in high relief to form the border, with a central lotus flower glazed in white and blue, concealing a solid brass original fitting for a candle, doubling as a receptacle for an (optional) additional tier which would have screwed into the fitting; the fitting is removable. Impressed marks to reverse: 'MINTON' and Minton date cypher for 1863; an impressed 'A' possibly for the designer, Thomas Allen...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian 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

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

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

Portuguese Majolica Palissy Toad Wall Figure
Portuguese Majolica Palissy Toad Wall Figure

Portuguese Majolica Palissy Toad Wall Figure

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Portuguese Palissy Majolica figure which features a toad. Wall hanging holes to the rear. These figures can be wall mounted. Colouration: green, brown, are predominant.

Category

1890s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier
Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier

Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Rare Set of 5 Small 19th Century Majolica Flowers Vases Delphin Massier. 2 pansies, 2 wild roses , 1 daisy. Table vases decorations , very rare form and size. Around 4 inches height ...

Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, 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

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

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

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

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery, Bamboo

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

Planter Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, France, Year: 1890
Planter Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, France, Year: 1890

Planter Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, France, Year: 1890

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Delphin Massier was born in 1836 and was a renowned French ceramicist who played a significant role in the revival of artistic ceramics in Vallauris. His father, Jacques Massier, and...

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Faience Cows Platter Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Faience Cows Platter Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Faience Cows Platter Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century rectangular Platter With Cows signed Hippolyte Boulenger & co Choisy le Roi, circa 1880. Painted scene of Cows in a Meadow and river.   

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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 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

Antique 19th Century English Majolica Floral Leaf Handled Platter
Antique 19th Century English Majolica Floral Leaf Handled Platter

Antique 19th Century English Majolica Floral Leaf Handled Platter

Located in Pearland, TX

A lovely antique 19th-Century English majolica flowers and leaves plate, platter, or handled dish. This lovely platter is decorated with floral and leaf motifs on a fence and trellis...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

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

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

French Majolica Fish Pitcher, circa 1920
French Majolica Fish Pitcher, circa 1920

French Majolica Fish Pitcher, circa 1920

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica pitcher with large fish, aquatic plants, fish handle, circa 1920.

Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Frog Wall Pocket Jerome Massier Fils Vallauris, circa 1900
French Majolica Frog Wall Pocket Jerome Massier Fils Vallauris, circa 1900

French Majolica Frog Wall Pocket Jerome Massier Fils Vallauris, circa 1900

By Jerome Massier Fils

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica Frog Wall Pocket Jerome Massier Fils Vallauris, circa 1900. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family produced d...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Pink Flowers Pitcher Onnaing, circa 1900
Majolica Pink Flowers Pitcher Onnaing, circa 1900

Majolica Pink Flowers Pitcher Onnaing, circa 1900

By Onnaing

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica pitcher with pink flowers on a green background signed Onnaing, circa 1900. A excellent example of the Art Nouveau period.

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

19th Century Majolica Lion and Lioness Platter Salins
19th Century Majolica Lion and Lioness Platter Salins

19th Century Majolica Lion and Lioness Platter Salins

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

19th century fine Majolica lion and lioness surrounded by exuberants plants signed Salins (East of France) Very unusual piece, the pastel lilac purple is...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

French 19th Century Majolica Cache Pot, Fruit Design, Antique Planter
French 19th Century Majolica Cache Pot, Fruit Design, Antique Planter

French 19th Century Majolica Cache Pot, Fruit Design, Antique Planter

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A quirky and very retro French Barbotine Majolica cache pot dating from the 19th century, and featuring an eye-catching design of succulent painted fruits encircling its rim. The pot...

Category

20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Porcelain

French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890
French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890

French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate called Russian imperial eagle, circa 1890. Reference / page 132 "Oyster Plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.

Category

1890s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, 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.