Majolica Furniture
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Material: Majolica
18th Century Dutch Delft Tile Panel with decoration of a liquor seller
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands
Rotterdam
Circa 1725 – 1775
A manganese tile panel of two tiles, probably the base of a pillar, with the decoration of a liquor seller, and by the look on his face h...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Minton Majolica Shell Flower Holder
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica flower holder which features a scallop shell supported by seaweed on a rocky base. Coloration: cream, brown, green, are predomin...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Charger Plate Set Six Dinner Plates Table Serveware Majolica Blue Painted Damask
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This magnificent set of 6 majolica charger plates is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of 19th Century Hand Painted Barbotine Ceramic Vases & Matching Cache-Pot
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful, colorful hand painted Majolica antique set was sculpted in Montigny sur Loing, France, circa 1870. Each ceramic vase including the mat...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
White Decorative Centerpiece Plate Floral Motif, Mother of Pearl, Luster Gold
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Large decorative ceramic plate made and hand painted by the artist G. Mengoni for deBlona. Diameter 64 cm (25.2 in). The surface of the plate is studded and decorated with ash-colour...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate
Majolica Garden Figure Figure of a boy with jug as a figure or for a fountain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica figure of a boy with a jug is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figure...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
French Majolica Strawberries Platter Sarreguemines, circa 1870
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Strawberries Platter signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870.
Very rare color.
Category
1870s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$21,140 / set
Dinner Plates Set Six Charger Platters Serveware Majolica Ceramic Aquamarine
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This exclusive set of six plates, in majolica painted in polychrome, reinterprets the "VARIO RICCO" decoration of the sixteenth century in Deruta: our plates are handmade and hand-pa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Large French Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Leaf Platter or Centerpiece Bowl, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching large leaf shaped glazed ceramic platter, serving tray or centerpiece manufactured by Vallauris. France, 1950-1960s.
Interesting to be used as decorative centerpiece, fr...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Dinner Plates Set Four Charger Platters Serveware Majolica Ceramic Purple Italy
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This luxurious set of four plates, in majolica painted in polychrome, reinterprets the "VARIO RICCO" decoration of the sixteenth century in Deruta: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
Small Portuguese Majolica Palissy Wall Snake Platter Jose A. Cunha
Located in Austin, TX
Small Portuguese Majolica Palissy Platter signed Jose A. Cunha.
With a snake , butterflies and worms.
( Caldas da Rainha, Portugal )
Diameter / 4.5 inches.
Category
1880s Portuguese Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Blue Ceramic Vase Butterflies 24 Kt Gold Luster Hand Painted Decorative Vessel
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Of extraordinary beauty and unique charm, the blue butterfly has always been considered the bearer of wishes. According to ancient beliefs it has the power to make dreams come true. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Gold
Fish Shaped Ceramic Sauce Tureen by Hispania CH Lladró
By Hispania CH, Lladro
Located in Barcelona, ES
A lovely and colorful Manises ceramic sauce boat with a fish figure on a plant leaf saucer manufactured by Hispania CH-Lladró.
This piece is in great condition and it is full of expr...
Category
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
19th Century French Barbotine Cache Pot and Vases with Floral Motifs, Set of 3
By Massier Art Pottery
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or a table top with this beautiful antique majolica set! Crafted in France, circa 1880, the colorful ceramic set includes a cent...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Plate Centerpiece Tray Wall Dish Decorated Ornament Majolica Platinum Luster
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Our fancy ceramic plate is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter: it is decorated in majolica painted in a monochromatic antique blue and decorated by a platinum luster, comprising a wavy mixtilinear rim which is divided by eight bands which are arranged on the following with a radial structure: half of them, the largest ones, are painted with refined floral motifs; the others, which alternate with the previous ones, are devoid of ornaments. The same decorations present in the brim are shown in the large cable, which are characterized by natural elements such as flowers, leaves and berries. This beautiful piece can be hung as a decorative wall dish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Platinum
Unusual Bitossi Sgraffito Ceramic Ashtray Catch All
By Bitossi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The unusual Mid-Century Modern catch all or ashtray was made by Bitossi in square shape with four indentations on the corners. The square outer rim encloses the concave circle in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Italian Majolica Two-Handled Vase, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
The bulbous body decorated with standing and leaping deer in a landscape, the shoulder with two homes in the background, the handles in the shape of tiger heads above masked handles.
Category
Early 1900s Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Pair of French Majolica Pitchers or Vases
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of French Majolica vases or pitchers, each with double tree branch form handles and spouts. Deep, rich cobalt blue glaze with aqua interior and grape clusters. Minor glaze loss.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Ceramic Moon Jar Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Mediterranea moon jar, 2021, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 30 cm diameter, hand painted unique piece.
Available diameter sizes: 40cm,30cm and 25cm - (the price of this item refers to the 30cm one)
Available customisation: Blue or green background colour
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of the most representative ceramic production centres in Italy. Founded in 1976 by sisters Saura and Ivana, Bottega Vignoli stands out for its limited production, accurate details and skilful experimentation resulting in stunning unique and one of a kind pieces. Their style is immediately recognizable and expressly follows the path...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
Fishs, lemon,starfish,shells,seaweeds.
From Provence.
Length / 11.5 inches on 7.8 inches,...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
English Majolica Pink Geranium Plate, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
English Majolica Pink Geranium Plate, circa 1880.
Category
1880s English Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Tureen asparagus dish, in style of luneville
Located in Paris, FR
Discover this rare 19th-century polychrome earthenware set, featuring a covered asparagus server with a matching platter. This French Barbotine asparagus server is a true collector's...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large oval Majolica Palissy wall platter Vallauris, circa 1950.
Large fishes, lobster, seaweeds, tomato, garlic.
From Provence, Mediterranean fishes.
Length / 20 inches on 9 inches, ...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Ceramic Moon Jar Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary, 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Mediterranea moon jar, 2020, full-fire reduction faience earthenware 40 cm diameter, hand painted unique piece.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher Onnaing Style
By Onnaing
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful, antique water pitcher was crafted in Northern France, circa 1880. The jug, titled "Cochon au Jambon" (pig with ham), features a pig sculpture with a laurel leaf crown ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Palissy Portuguese Platter Jose Alves Cunha
Located in Austin, TX
Antique Majolica Palissy Portuguese wall platter signed Jose Alves Cunha, very unusual piece with a rat bitten by a large snake, caterpillar, butterfl...
Category
1880s Portuguese Late Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Majolica Jardinière Leaves and Snake Johann Maresch, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
A naturalist Majolica jardinière with different kind of leaves, large ferns leaves, a branch on the front and a nest with birds threatened by a snake signed Johann Maresch (1821-1914...
Category
1880s Austrian Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
Majolica Nymphenburg handcrafted and hand painted planter with relief of cherubs
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica planter is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade planters in majolica tech...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Italian Majolica Style Terracotta Roman Relief Jar Lamp With Linen Shade
Located in Portage, MI
Antique Italian Majolica Style Terra Cotta Roman Relief Jar Lamp With Linen Shade. A beautiful painted Roman lifestyle raised relief. Some flaws from the firing process due to its ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Greco Roman Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Terracotta
Plate Centerpiece, Tray Decorated Bowl, Wall Dish Majolica Aquamarine, In Stock
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This exclusive ceramic plate is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter: it is d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Urbino Style Majolica Vases, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
With entwined serpent handles, painted in colors on both sides of the bodies with biblical scenes.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Majolica Cobalt Blue Garden Seat or Pedestal, Late 19th Century, Italy
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous Majolica garden seat or plant stand, late 19th century, Italy. Decorated in a deep cobalt blue, with clusters of white hibiscus. Scrolling acanthus leaves in a pleasing da...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Dinner Plates Set Six Charger Platters Serveware Majolica Ceramic Purple Painted
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This luxurious set of six plates, in majolica painted in polychrome, reinterprets the "VARIO RICCO" decoration of the sixteenth century in Deruta: our plates are handmade and hand-pa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique Ginori Istoriato Style Italian Maiolica Pottery Pilgrim Flask & Stopper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Maiolica pilgrim flask & stopper by Ginori.
Decorated in the Urbino istoriato style with polychrome cherubs to the front and a lan...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Faience, Majolica
Neoclassical Style Blue Majolica Planter by Minton
By Minton
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style blue Majolica planter by Minton
English, c. 1852
Measures: height 37.5cm, width 49cm, depth 42cm
This superb planter is crafted i...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Majolica Nymphenburg handcrafted and hand painted planter with relief of cherubs
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica planter is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade planters in majolica tech...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Charger Plate Set Four Dinner Plates Serveware Majolica Aquamarine Hand Painted
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This colorful and elegant set of 4 majolica charger plates is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter: every artist's brushstroke, which you can see on each plate, contributes to make our plates look bold and unique.
The plates feature fluttering ribbons that frame recently blossomed flowers, representing the triumph of life and youth. A stylish set of charger plates...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
18th-19th Century Spanish Colonial Majolica Pottery Angel Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Spanish Colonial majolica pottery vase, with hand painted floral design on front. Two angels adorn the upper rim, appearing at the top of each side peering out over their ang...
Category
19th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Pottery
Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$21,140 / set
Plate Bowl Centerpiece Tableware Platter Decorated Wall Dish Majolica Painted
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This exclusive ceramic plate is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter: it is decorated in majolica hand-painted in duotone of black and golden yellow, showing an elegant decorative motif of the Deruta tradition which is inspired by a tile found in a local church and suitably reworked in a modern key. The wide brim, with a raised edge and profiled with a finely painted modular ornament, is characterized by an extensive decorative border band where the traditional peacock feather motifs are represented, decorated with delicate shades of golden yellow shaded with cerium white. Naturalistic decorations are depicted inside the large cable, arranged in specular and radial symmetry which branches off from a central hexagonal element and articulates around the circumference, forming elegant golden yellow raceme motifs that stand out against a black background. Our majolica plate can be used as a fancy centerpiece or it can be hung as a decorative wall dish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
French White Terracotta Majolica Rabbit Bavent, circa 1890
By Bavent
Located in Austin, TX
Small French white terracotta Majolica rabbit Bavent, circa 1890.
(Normandy).
Measures: Length / 8 inches, height / 6 ...
Category
1890s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Terracotta, Majolica
Plate Centerpiece Tray Ornament Bowl Wall Dish Majolica White Decorated In Stock
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This exclusive ceramic plate is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter: it is d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Bordallo Pinheiro Majolica Cabbage Platter
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Portuguese Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage platter .
Category
1960s Portuguese Organic Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$100 Sale Price
33% Off
19th Century Yellow Majolica Peacock Plate Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
Goldenrold mustard Majolica plate with a peacock signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi, circa 1890.
The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important manufacture at t...
Category
1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
Unusual Arts and Crafts Footed Goblet Vase by Schwaz, Austria
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unusual tall goblet shaped vase was hand decorated with complex abstract flower pattern in cobalt blue, marigold yellow, and sage green on the base and the body of the vase. The hig...
Category
20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Majolica Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Art Nouveau Swan Planters Jardinieres, Majolica, early 20th Century, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of cache pot in majolica with swan and floral motif.
Pair of glazed ceramic vases. Art Nouveau period, France, early 20th century.
Diameter 10.2" - 26 cm.
Height 8.6" - 22 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Antique French Saint Clement Majolica Parrot Absinthe Pitcher Decanter
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French majolica parrot absinthe pitcher decanter or figural jug hand painted with beautiful vibrant colors, circa 1900. This pitcher was made by Keller & Guerin at their St. Clement faience...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Palm Motif Majolica Glazed Vases With Dolphin Base
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This pair of Majolica glazed vases features an intricate palm motif with striking green foliage against a textured crackle glaze. Each vase is adorned with ornate dolphin-shaped base...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Jasba Vase, West German Pottery 1950s-1960s
By Jasba
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Mid Century Modern ceramic vase features an abstract motif in Burgundy red glaze, sponged on in free-flowing patterns and outlined with gold, on light green background. The decor ap...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Set of Three 18th Century Large Italian Majolica Plaques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three large Italian Majolica plaques. Each of them painted with a different scenery. Italy, 18th century.
Dimensions:
Plaque with grouping Il...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
Ceramic Vase Byzantine Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022 Full-fire reduction earthenware 17cm x 37cm height. unique piece hand-painted Italian majolica.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$3,002 Sale Price / item
20% Off
George Jones, Partridge game pie dish, 19th Century
By George Jones
Located in Paris, FR
Introducing the 19th-century Georges Jones majolica terrine, a fine embodiment of Victorian elegance. Expertly crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this terrine boasts rich c...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Garibaldi at Calatafimi, Decorative Majolica, Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This Garibaldi at Calatafimi is an original decorative majolica object realized in Sicily, Italy by Italian manufacture during the end of 19th century.
This very rare painted maj...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
$342 Sale Price
25% Off
Live Size Italian Pug Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
By Marioni
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding statue of an Italian Pug Dog made of glazed and hand-painted terracotta. Perfect, lifelike, and life-size representations of this loving creature, faithful, affectiona...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Terracotta
Art Deco Bauhaus Liqueur Set by Eva Zeizel for Schramberg Majolica, 1930s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
The Art Deco Bauhaus Liqueur Set by Eva Zeisel for Schramberg Majolica, a treasure from the 1930s, stands as a sublime fusion of avant-garde design and functional elegance. Crafted d...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
1930's Art Deco CIMA Deruta Urn with Fox by Ezio Cocchioni, documented
Located in Hanover, MA
Rare 1930's Italian black glazed majolica urn with asymmetric handles which are silvered along with rim and foot and an orange glazed stylized fox set within an arched niche.
Designe...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Majolica Furniture
Materials
Majolica
E B Napoli Majolica Napoliware Cabbage Leaf Bird Bowl Plate
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Highly collectable large Italian ceramic plate from E.B. Napoli. This ceramic bowl with three chicks perched inside the bowl. The design of this plate, shaped like a cabbage or lettu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair 19th Century French Hand Painted Barbotine Ceramic Vases with Fruit Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring colors to your mantel with this pair of antique Majolica vases with fruit motifs. Crafted in Southern France, circa 1880, this ceramic composition is a Classic example of barbo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
French Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate two parakeets with oranges Salins, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, 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.
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