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Majolica Furniture

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Material: Majolica
19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Wall Platter
19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Wall Platter

19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Wall Platter

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

French Palissy wall platter with fishs , shells, circa 1900 possibly Choisy le Roi. 13.8 by 9.3 inches. Reference/page 146 "Palissy Ware" of M. Katz.    

Category

Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

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

Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Hand Painted Floral & Figural Vase

By Deruta

Located in Antwerp, BE

Large Majolica mosaic vase, hand decorated with pure gold leaf. Italian Vintage Deruta Mosaic Vase, design is a depiction of Empress Theodora, sixth ce...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19 C. Italian Majolica Vase after Urbino
19 C. Italian Majolica Vase after Urbino

19 C. Italian Majolica Vase after Urbino

By Urbino Workshop

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional decorative majolica handled vase in good, original condition. The vase features allegorical scenes on its urn form body, with curled serpent handles. This example is st...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Roses and Butterfly Jardinière Delphin Massier
19th Century Majolica Roses and Butterfly Jardinière Delphin Massier

19th Century Majolica Roses and Butterfly Jardinière Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

This is one of the most lovely Majolica Art Nouveau cachepot jardinière signed by Delphin Massier, inspired by the nature with roses and three different butterflies. The Massier fami...

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Exceptional Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Jardiniere Flowerpot Thistle Motif
Exceptional Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Jardiniere Flowerpot Thistle Motif

Exceptional Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Jardiniere Flowerpot Thistle Motif

By Fives-Lille, Gustave De Bruyn

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

A highly decorative and vividly colored Art Nouveau Majolica jardinière or flowerpot, dating from circa 1900. This exuberant barbotine piece features an ornate relief design dominate...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, 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 Thulin, Wasmuel Majolica, Denbac

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

Unmatching Pair of Majolica Ceramic Trompe L'oeil Crab Lobster Large Wall Plates
Unmatching Pair of Majolica Ceramic Trompe L'oeil Crab Lobster Large Wall Plates

Unmatching Pair of Majolica Ceramic Trompe L'oeil Crab Lobster Large Wall Plates

Located in Barcelona, ES

Extra large spider crab and lobster seafood plates wall decoration, Majolica, glazed ceramic. Portugal, 1950s Rare find. A colorful pair of fine Majolica glazed ceramic plates with s...

Category

20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Large French Majolica Bird and Snake Jardinière, circa 1890
Large French Majolica Bird and Snake Jardinière, circa 1890

Large French Majolica Bird and Snake Jardinière, circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

Large French 19th century Majolica jardinière in a shape of wood box decorated with leaves, on the front a bird with his nest, a snake looking on the nest with eggs...

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience, Pottery

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

Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920
Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920

Rare French Majolica Roses Basket Sarreguemines Circa 1920

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

Charming French Majolica roses basket signed Sarreguemines, circa 1920. The manufacture of Sarreguemines produced severals examples of baskets with fruits, more rarely with animals a...

Category

1920s French French Provincial Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Italian Vintage Red Tomato Tureen in Majolica Ceramic, 70s
Italian Vintage Red Tomato Tureen in Majolica Ceramic, 70s

Italian Vintage Red Tomato Tureen in Majolica Ceramic, 70s

By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

Located in Roma, IT

I offer for sale an extremely decorative and fun element to set your table. Produced in Italy between the 1970s and 1980s, this soup tureen is attributable to a successful series tha...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Portuguese Majolica soup tureens owned by fashion legend André Leon Talley
Portuguese Majolica soup tureens owned by fashion legend André Leon Talley

Portuguese Majolica soup tureens owned by fashion legend André Leon Talley

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Pair of vintage Portuguese Majolica soup tureens, owned by André Leon Talley. The hen tureens have egg-shaped ladles with lil' chick forms. Hand-crafted in Portugal, stamped with mak...

Category

20th Century Portuguese Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Heron Pedestal Planter, circa 1900
Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Heron Pedestal Planter, circa 1900

Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Heron Pedestal Planter, circa 1900

Located in Antwerp, BE

Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Pedestal and Planter with Heron, circa 1900 A striking Italian Art Nouveau majolica pedestal and planter dating from the early 20th century. This sculp...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870
French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

French aqua turquoise Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870. 6 shells and space for the lemon on the center.

Category

1870s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Art Nouveau Vase Majolica Gustave De Bruyn 29cm
French Art Nouveau Vase Majolica Gustave De Bruyn 29cm

French Art Nouveau Vase Majolica Gustave De Bruyn 29cm

By Gustave De Bruyn

Located in Poperinge, BE

Beautiful French Art Nouveau vase made of polychrome crackle majolica earthenware, decorated with peonies and floral motifs, numbered and marked on the bottom. Gustave De Bruyn (Leu...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Polychrome Italian Albarello Jar with Foliate Decorations, Late 19th Century
Polychrome Italian Albarello Jar with Foliate Decorations, Late 19th Century

Polychrome Italian Albarello Jar with Foliate Decorations, Late 19th Century

Located in Dallas, TX

More information coming soon… Hand-painted in Italy during the late 1800s, this polychrome albarello jar has a green ground beneath numerous foliate rinceaux in orange and white. T...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Paint

Large Colorful Berber Handmade Tile Panel, Morocco
Large Colorful Berber Handmade Tile Panel, Morocco

Large Colorful Berber Handmade Tile Panel, Morocco

Located in Rijssen, NL

A colorful hand painted panel of 28 moroccan tiles. The tiles show sketches and symbols of the Berber culture. Like fish, camels, flowers, sun and salamanders. Each of them are uniqu...

Category

Early 1600s Italian Adam Style Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Majolica Wheat Jardiniere With Birds Delphin Massier
19th Century Majolica Wheat Jardiniere With Birds Delphin Massier

19th Century Majolica Wheat Jardiniere With Birds Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Large 19th Century Majolica wheat vase jardiniere with birds signed Delphin Massier. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family p...

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Oyster Blue Starfish Plate Digoin, circa 1900
Majolica Oyster Blue Starfish Plate Digoin, circa 1900

Majolica Oyster Blue Starfish Plate Digoin, circa 1900

By Digoin & Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica plate with blue starfish with six wells blue and white surrounded by green seaweeds signed Digoin (East of France), circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French Art Deco Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica

Jerome Massier Majolica Dessert Set with Floral Motifs, Late 19th C.
Jerome Massier Majolica Dessert Set with Floral Motifs, Late 19th C.

Jerome Massier Majolica Dessert Set with Floral Motifs, Late 19th C.

By Delphin Massier

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

French Napoleon III Majolica Slip Aperitif or Dessert Set by Jérôme Massier, Vallauris, France, Late 19th Century. This exquisite Napoleon III majolica slip aperitif or dessert set...

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica

Superb English Bulldog Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, Italy 1960s
Superb English Bulldog Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, Italy 1960s

Superb English Bulldog Terracotta Dog Statue Figurine Vintage, Italy 1960s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Add a touch of charm to your home with this exquisite ceramic Terracotta English Bulldog sculpture. This piece captures the playful spirit of the beloved breed with intricate detaili...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexican Ceramic Burnt Orange Ivory Mosaic
Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexican Ceramic Burnt Orange Ivory Mosaic

Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexican Ceramic Burnt Orange Ivory Mosaic

By Cesar

Located in Queretaro, Queretaro

This contemporary Talavera azulejo tile creates a striking geometric mosaic that can be used as a kitchen backsplash, architectural wall surface, or decorative wall installation. Whe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Spanish Colonial Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

17th Century Dutch Delft Tile with Decoration of a Bird
17th Century Dutch Delft Tile with Decoration of a Bird

17th Century Dutch Delft Tile with Decoration of a Bird

Located in AMSTERDAM, NH

The Netherlands Gouda Workshop of W. J. Oliviers Verswaen (De Swaen) Circa 1625 - 1650 A polychrome Dutch Delft tile with the decoration of a starling identifiable by its spotted bo...

Category

Mid-17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880
Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880

Rare Majolica Box with Oysters and Snail Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Rare Majolica box with oysters and snail signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880. Measures: Height / 8", length / 15" on 6.5".

Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Mid-Century Modern Asparagus Ceramic Serving Set for Six, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Asparagus Ceramic Serving Set for Six, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Asparagus Ceramic Serving Set for Six, 1960s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern asparagus design glazed ceramic serving set, Spain, 1950s-1960s A set of 6 asparagus plates, a server with lid and a salt and pepper shakers set. The asparagus tureen...

Category

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

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Rare 19th Century Majolica Birds & Roses Wall Pocket Delphin Massier
Rare 19th Century Majolica Birds & Roses Wall Pocket Delphin Massier

Rare 19th Century Majolica Birds & Roses Wall Pocket Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th century Majolica birds and roses wall pocket signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier f...

Category

1890s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

1960s Majolica Glazed Ceramic Cabbage Serving Set, Platter and Six Bowls
1960s Majolica Glazed Ceramic Cabbage Serving Set, Platter and Six Bowls

1960s Majolica Glazed Ceramic Cabbage Serving Set, Platter and Six Bowls

Located in Barcelona, ES

Salad or Fruit serving set cabbage design. Portugal, 1960s. One of a kind set of 6 Majolica ceramic cabbage leaf dishes and a large cabbage centerpiece bowl. Very realistic design in...

Category

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

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

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

19th Century Majolica Portuguese Palissy Tobacco Jar Manuel Mafra

By Manuel Mafra 1

Located in Austin, TX

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

Category

1890s Portuguese Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Leaves Jardinière, circa 1880
French Majolica Leaves Jardinière, circa 1880

French Majolica Leaves Jardinière, circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century French Majolica leaves jardinière.

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large Berber Fish Tile Panel, Morocco
Large Berber Fish Tile Panel, Morocco

Large Berber Fish Tile Panel, Morocco

Located in Rijssen, NL

A unique patchwork composition panel. The fun and colorful hand painted panel consists of 35 moroccan tiles. All tiles show sketches and drawings of fish in the style of the Berber c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Pair of Monumental Italian Majolica Portrait Busts, Early 20th Century
Pair of Monumental Italian Majolica Portrait Busts, Early 20th Century

Pair of Monumental Italian Majolica Portrait Busts, Early 20th Century

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A commanding and decoratively rich pair of hand-modeled and hand-painted majolica portrait busts depicting a male and female figure in period costume, each resting on a turned socle ...

Category

Early 1900s Italian Renaissance Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

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

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

19th Century French Barbotine Pig Pitcher in the Style of Onnaing
19th Century French Barbotine Pig Pitcher in the Style of Onnaing

19th Century French Barbotine Pig Pitcher in the Style of Onnaing

By Onnaing

Located in Dallas, TX

Full of humor and French country charm, this antique barbotine pitcher is modeled as a wonderfully expressive pig carrying a cured ham beneath one arm. Crafted in Northern France cir...

Category

Early 20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Mid-Century Majolica Palissy Fish Sealife Plate Vallauris
Mid-Century Majolica Palissy Fish Sealife Plate Vallauris

Mid-Century Majolica Palissy Fish Sealife Plate Vallauris

By Vallauris

Located in Austin, TX

Mid-Century Majolica Palissy fish plate Vallauris. in a white background faience in the style of Brard. fish.seaweeds, shells. Nautical style, Rustic style. Diameter / 8 inches.  

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890

Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1890

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Spectacular Majolica rose vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. ...

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

19th Century French Barbotine Covered Bowl with Bird and Bird Nest Décor
19th Century French Barbotine Covered Bowl with Bird and Bird Nest Décor

19th Century French Barbotine Covered Bowl with Bird and Bird Nest Décor

Located in Atlanta, GA

A 19th century petite French faience bowl adorned with a bird and bird nest barbotine décor. This French pottery features a green colored body, decorated with exquisite colorful flow...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Renaissance Revival Set Of Amphora And Pedestal
Renaissance Revival Set Of Amphora And Pedestal

Renaissance Revival Set Of Amphora And Pedestal

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is a Renaissance revival style large Majolica amphora vase with rectangular pedestal. Their background are hand painted cobalt blue and decorated with an off-white relief of Gre...

Category

20th Century Unknown Renaissance Revival Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique French Majolica Earthenware Asparagus Plate, 19th Century
Antique French Majolica Earthenware Asparagus Plate, 19th Century

Antique French Majolica Earthenware Asparagus Plate, 19th Century

Located in Poperinge, BE

Rare antique asparagus dish in two parts, made of polychrome glazed majolica earthenware with a craquelé finish; France, circa late 19th century; numbered 466 on the underside. A st...

Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

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

Sicilian South Italian Pair Maiolica Pottery Twin Handled Candlesticks
Sicilian South Italian Pair Maiolica Pottery Twin Handled Candlesticks

Sicilian South Italian Pair Maiolica Pottery Twin Handled Candlesticks

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A stylish pair antique South Italian Sicilian maiolica pottery twin handled candlesticks dating from the 18th century. The handmade earthenware candlesticks stand on a wide bowl-shap...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy
Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy

Large French Barbotine Majolica Rooster Sculpture from Normandy

Located in Dallas, TX

Bring a touch of French country charm to a kitchen, breakfast room, or farmhouse interior with this impressive hand-painted ceramic rooster from Normandy, crafted circa 1980. Standin...

Category

Late 20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

17th Century Dutch Delft sea creature Tile with Decoration of Mermaid
17th Century Dutch Delft sea creature Tile with Decoration of Mermaid

17th Century Dutch Delft sea creature Tile with Decoration of Mermaid

Located in AMSTERDAM, NH

The Netherlands Circa 1640 – 1670 A finely painted blue and white Dutch Delft tile with the decoration of a Mermaid holding a torch. Sea creatures were quite popular in the 17th cen...

Category

Mid-17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870
French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870

French Majolica Oyster Aqua Turquoise Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870

By Sarreguemines

Located in Austin, TX

French aqua turquoise Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870. 6 shells and space for the lemon on the center.

Category

1870s French French Provincial 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.