Skip to main content

Majolica Furniture

1,736 Results
to
107
1,065
637
1,598
133
6
278
223
164
63
54
26
23
16
11
11
4
2
2
1
1
38
860
700
139
258
301
32
114
16
41
39
10
66
26
7
9
4
1,740
371,139
309,453
217,491
156,423
1,578
565
284
212
140
1,737
1,669
1,711
74
60
58
56
54
Material: 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

Set of 10 Vintage Sarreguemines Majolica Asparagus Plates
Set of 10 Vintage Sarreguemines Majolica Asparagus Plates

Set of 10 Vintage Sarreguemines Majolica Asparagus Plates

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A set of 10 vintage Sarreguemines Majolica asparagus serving plates, from the beginning of the 20th century. Each of these fine earthenware plates has two raised, decorated dividers,...

Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

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

19th Century Majolica Palissy Wall Fish Platter Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Colorful Palissy Majolica wall fish Handled platter signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi, circa 1880. Shells and mussels on a basketweave background.

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large Rare 19th Century Majolica Flowers Box
Large Rare 19th Century Majolica Flowers Box

Large Rare 19th Century Majolica Flowers Box

Located in Austin, TX

Large Rare 19th Century French Majolica Flowers Box . 12 inches Lenght.

Category

1880s French Rustic Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Fives Lille
19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Fives Lille

19th Century Majolica Grapes Wall Platter Fives Lille

By Fives-Lille

Located in Austin, TX

19th century French Majolica grapesplatter in high relief, Fives Lille unsigned. At the end of the 19th century, Longchamp and Fives Lille produced fruits platters of all kinds more...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

‎Life-Size Italian Boxer Dog Terracotta Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s
‎Life-Size Italian Boxer Dog Terracotta Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s

‎Life-Size Italian Boxer Dog Terracotta Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1960s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Classic early 1960s Italian Boxer Majolica dog statue figurine. Nice addition to your room or entry hall. It is approx. 32 inches high, 20 inches wide and 13 inches deep. Made of Ma...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Art Deco Majolica Bird Trinket Box, Ceramica Plinio Italy 1970s
Art Deco Majolica Bird Trinket Box, Ceramica Plinio Italy 1970s

Art Deco Majolica Bird Trinket Box, Ceramica Plinio Italy 1970s

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage Italian ceramic or pottery trinket box features rounded bird shape, sculpted in Art Deco style, reminiscent of Édouard-Marcel Sandoz designs for Haviland's animal figurines a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

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

Wedgwood Majolica Cow Cheese Keeper
Wedgwood Majolica Cow Cheese Keeper

Wedgwood Majolica Cow Cheese Keeper

By Wedgwood

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Wedgwood Majolica cheese keep which features a country scene around the outside, depicting cows, farmers and a maid milking. The top features a cow finial. Colouration: blue, green, ...

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

Handpainted German Bauhaus Era Pottery Jug Vase - Suprematist Art Deco Design
Handpainted German Bauhaus Era Pottery Jug Vase - Suprematist Art Deco Design

Handpainted German Bauhaus Era Pottery Jug Vase - Suprematist Art Deco Design

By Bauhaus, Bauhaus Deutschland

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This unique vintage handpainted pottery jug vase showcases a striking Art Deco Bauhaus design with strong Suprematist-inspired motifs. Crafted in Germany around 1920, this modernist ...

Category

1920s German Bauhaus Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Antique Italian Renaissance Raffaellesco Grotteschi Majolica Wall Charger
Antique Italian Renaissance Raffaellesco Grotteschi Majolica Wall Charger

Antique Italian Renaissance Raffaellesco Grotteschi Majolica Wall Charger

Located in Forney, TX

A stunning large antique Italian Raffaellesco majolica wall charger / centerpiece, showcasing exceptionally executed handmade and painted design, dating to the 19th century or earlie...

Category

19th Century Renaissance Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Paint

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

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

Majolica Jardinière Leaves and Snake Johann Maresch, circa 1880
Majolica Jardinière Leaves and Snake Johann Maresch, circa 1880

Majolica Jardinière Leaves and Snake Johann Maresch, circa 1880

By Johann Maresch

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

Art Deco French Longwy Majolica Fish Plate, Circa 1930
Art Deco French Longwy Majolica Fish Plate, Circa 1930

Art Deco French Longwy Majolica Fish Plate, Circa 1930

By Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy

Located in Pearland, TX

A stylish Art Deco French Longwy majolica fish plate, circa 1930. Maker's mark on reverse. It's a rare color, white with lovely soft purple lilac accents, and it displays beautifully...

Category

1930s French Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

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

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four
Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee or tea sea set orange design, Spain, 1960s. Cool set of hand-painted glazed ceramic orange shaped tea, coffee or breakfast serving set fo...

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Spanish Ceramic Fish Bowls and Rattan Tray Snacks Set
Spanish Ceramic Fish Bowls and Rattan Tray Snacks Set

Spanish Ceramic Fish Bowls and Rattan Tray Snacks Set

Located in Barcelona, ES

Eye-catching set of 4 small fish shaped bowls on a rattan serving tray, Spain, 1950s The set is comprised by: 4 colorful hand-painted ceramic fish dishes 1 hand-woven rattan basket ...

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Wicker, Rattan

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

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

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

19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier
19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier

19th Century Majolica Rose Vase Delphin Massier

By Delphin Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Fine French Majolica pink rose vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1880. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and painti...

Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Set of Five French Majolica Ceramic Snail Plates and Serving Platter
Set of Five French Majolica Ceramic Snail Plates and Serving Platter

Set of Five French Majolica Ceramic Snail Plates and Serving Platter

Located in Barcelona, ES

Serving set Snails design, Majolica, Glazed Ceramic, France, 1960s. One of a kind escargot cocktail appetizer serving set: comprised of 5 Majolica ceramic snail...

Category

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

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Set of Four Italian Molded Deruta Majolica Dishes, 20th Century
Set of Four Italian Molded Deruta Majolica Dishes, 20th Century

Set of Four Italian Molded Deruta Majolica Dishes, 20th Century

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A set of four Italian molded Deruta Maiolica/Majolica dishes 20th century Three plates and one large shallow bowl, all hand painted in polychrome ...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

Jasba Aztec Exotica Set of 3 Vases, West German Pottery 1960s
Jasba Aztec Exotica Set of 3 Vases, West German Pottery 1960s

Jasba Aztec Exotica Set of 3 Vases, West German Pottery 1960s

By Jasba, Jasba Keramik, West German Pottery

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

The set of 3 vintage Jasba Keramik vases from the 'Aztec' and 'Mexiko' or 'Maya Tiki' lines of their Exotica series features relief decor, influenced by ancient Pre-Columbian civilizations. The sculptural vases in the set interpret traditional vessel forms like a pitcher in a contemporary vein while referencing Pre-Columbian art with an eclectic twist. The vases are decorated with tone-on-tone ochre brown matte glazes on the outer surfaces and semi-matte black glazes on inner surfaces, allowing the complex reliefs to dominate the composition. The vases feature a central wide band of brutalist, rhythmically spaced mythic animals, derived from archaeology or from a wide range of Folk Art sources. The handles are interpreted not as functional parts of the design, but as an important aesthetic feature that was commonly used by West German pottery designers and artists in context of Krug Vase (Jug Vase, or Handled Vase) for their expressive possibilities. In this set, the small handles on two Aztec vases...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

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

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

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

French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

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

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century French Choisy Le Roi Majolica Hen & Chicks Plate
19th Century French Choisy Le Roi Majolica Hen & Chicks Plate

19th Century French Choisy Le Roi Majolica Hen & Chicks Plate

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Pearland, TX

A charming antique French majolica hen and chicks plate by H.B. Boulanger, Choisy le Roi, France, circa 1890. Maker's mark on reverse. It displays beautifully with vibrant colors and...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

Minton Majolica Acorn and Snail Jug/pitcher
Minton Majolica Acorn and Snail Jug/pitcher

Minton Majolica Acorn and Snail Jug/pitcher

By Minton

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features oak leaves and acorns to the sides and a snail to the handle. Colouration: brown, green, ochre, are predominant. The piece bears maker's ma...

Category

1860s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Eva Zeisel for Schramberg SMF Art Deco Pitcher Vase 1930s
Eva Zeisel for Schramberg SMF Art Deco Pitcher Vase 1930s

Eva Zeisel for Schramberg SMF Art Deco Pitcher Vase 1930s

By Eva Zeisel, Schramberg Majolica

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Sculptural pitcher shaped vase features soft, rounded form with curved rim and handle; it is hand painted with Folk Art based flower motifs that are strongly influenced by Art Deco. ...

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Spanish Talavera Hand Painted Pottery Vase, Vintage Signed
Spanish Talavera Hand Painted Pottery Vase, Vintage Signed

Spanish Talavera Hand Painted Pottery Vase, Vintage Signed

By Talavera de la Reyna

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage ceramic vase features a traditional rounded form, decorated with the characteristic hand-painted Talavera de la Reina motifs of colorful country flowers. The rim is accentuat...

Category

20th Century Spanish Folk Art Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Large French Majolica Palissy Vase Circa 1880
Large French Majolica Palissy Vase Circa 1880

Large French Majolica Palissy Vase Circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

Large French Majolica Palissy Vase Circa 1880. Flowers and butterfles. Height / 12.5 inches. Diameter / 10.5 by 9.5 inches.

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

19th Century Majolica Oyster Flowers Plate Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate with flowers circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

Category

1890s French French Provincial 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

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

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

Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s
Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s

Bitossi Studio Pottery Lava Glaze Vase Pitcher Italy 1960s

By Bitossi

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Bitossi Studio Pottery vase or pitcher is a beautiful example of Italian mid-century modern art ceramics. It is decorated in bold abstract pattern using gloss, semi-matte, and lava g...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

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

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.