Skip to main content

Majolica Furniture

1,748 Results
to
110
1,069
645
1,607
136
6
275
221
167
66
55
26
24
16
11
11
4
2
2
1
1
38
865
704
142
264
300
31
118
16
41
39
10
66
26
7
8
4
1,752
371,163
309,866
216,124
156,295
1,589
609
324
173
147
1,749
1,681
1,723
74
63
58
56
56
Material: 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

Majolica, Ceramic

Antique Victorian Historism Majolica Pedestal Bowl / Centerpiece Knights Dragons
Antique Victorian Historism Majolica Pedestal Bowl / Centerpiece Knights Dragons

Antique Victorian Historism Majolica Pedestal Bowl / Centerpiece Knights Dragons

By Villeroy & Boch

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This antique Historism centerpiece / pedestal bowl is made of polychrom glazed majolica and features four cartouches decorated with high relief knight helmets and dragons. The manufa...

Category

1880s German Rococo Revival Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

19th Century French Saint Clément Majolica Duck Mallard Pitcher

By Saint-Clément

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

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

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica

French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair
French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair

French Majolica Large Urns- A Pair

Located in Downingtown, PA

Dramatic Pair of French Majolica Urns with Stork and Wolf's Head Handles This striking pair of French large majolica flower urns, dating from circa 1870-1890, exemplifies the vibran...

Category

1870s French Arts and Crafts Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Longchamp Majolica Asparagus Set: 10 Plates & Platter, Circa 1900-1920
Longchamp Majolica Asparagus Set: 10 Plates & Platter, Circa 1900-1920

Longchamp Majolica Asparagus Set: 10 Plates & Platter, Circa 1900-1920

Located in Winter Park, FL

A beautiful French Majolica faience asparagus set by Longchamp. Ten octagonal plates with hand painted country flowers on a cream background with raised edges and sauce compartment f...

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Aldo Londi, Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Set of Majolica Vases Green Gold
Aldo Londi, Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Set of Majolica Vases Green Gold

Aldo Londi, Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Set of Majolica Vases Green Gold

By Rosenthal Netter, Aldo Londi, Bitossi

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Set of 2 vintage majolica vases was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter. The streamlined, conical vases are decorated with bands of gold over texture...

Category

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

Materials

Gold

Austrian Ugly Devil Face Jug Pitcher, Vintage Austria Earthenware Folk Art
Austrian Ugly Devil Face Jug Pitcher, Vintage Austria Earthenware Folk Art

Austrian Ugly Devil Face Jug Pitcher, Vintage Austria Earthenware Folk Art

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Decorate a shelf or kitchen counter with this elegant and characterful antique jug or pitcher. Created by an artisan in Carinthia, Austria, this distinctive piece features a sculptur...

Category

20th Century Austrian Folk Art Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Green-Glazed Geranium Plate, Hope & Carter, English, ca. 1870s
Majolica Green-Glazed Geranium Plate, Hope & Carter, English, ca. 1870s

Majolica Green-Glazed Geranium Plate, Hope & Carter, English, ca. 1870s

Located in Banner Elk, NC

English majolica green-glazed 9.13-inch plate, with relief molded geranium plants and blossoms and a shaped rim by the English firm Hope & Carter, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ca. 1870s....

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Mallard Duck Plate Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Majolica Mallard Duck Plate Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Majolica Mallard Duck Plate Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Majolica Mallard Duck Plate Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. The manufacture of Choisy le Roi was one of the most important manufacture at the end of 19th ...

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate S. Fielding and Co
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate S. Fielding and Co

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate S. Fielding and Co

By S. Fielding Co.

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century, English Majolica Oyster plate by S. Fielding and Company multicolored. Reference: Page 29 of "Collecting Oysters plates" of J. B. Snyder.

Category

1870s Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare 19th Century Majolica Strawberries Wall Platter Longchamp
Rare 19th Century Majolica Strawberries Wall Platter Longchamp

Rare 19th Century Majolica Strawberries Wall Platter Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

Very Rare Colorful 19th Century French Majolica strawberries wall platter signed Longchamp terre de fer. The fruits are in high relief with the leaves and branches. 11.5 inches diame...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

George Jones Majolica Lobster Dish
George Jones Majolica Lobster Dish

George Jones Majolica Lobster Dish

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

George Jones Majolica dish with cover which features a three piece set, with a lid, dish and undertray. A lobster sits on the lid, with seaweed on a basketweave ground to the dish an...

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique Belgian Wasmuel Majolica Bird With Cherries Plate, Circa 1890
Antique Belgian Wasmuel Majolica Bird With Cherries Plate, Circa 1890

Antique Belgian Wasmuel Majolica Bird With Cherries Plate, Circa 1890

By Wasmuel Majolica

Located in Pearland, TX

A gorgeous antique Belgian majolica crested bird in a cherry tree plate, Wasmuel, circa 1890. This lovely hand painted plate has brilliant vibrant colors and exquisite detail. DIMEN...

Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi
19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi

19th Century Majolica White Dog Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Charming 19th century small majolica vase with white dog who look on a bucket signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy le Roi. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most ...

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Set of 2 majolica plates, early 20th century and an earthenware dish, France
Set of 2 majolica plates, early 20th century and an earthenware dish, France

Set of 2 majolica plates, early 20th century and an earthenware dish, France

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

A decorative set comprising two early 20th-century majolica-style earthenware plates and a glazed terracotta platter. The plates feature rich polychromy and hand-painted decoration: ...

Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Majolica Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica

Antique Style Figural Majolica Pottery Crumpet Stand with Emu & Palm Tree, 20thC
Antique Style Figural Majolica Pottery Crumpet Stand with Emu & Palm Tree, 20thC

Antique Style Figural Majolica Pottery Crumpet Stand with Emu & Palm Tree, 20thC

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Style Figural Majolica Pottery Crumpet Stand with Emu & Palm Tree, 20thC Measures - 11"h x 6.5"diam A charming figural Majolica pottery crumpet stand from the 20th century, f...

Category

20th Century Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Rare English Majolica Turkey Jardiniere circa 1880
Rare English Majolica Turkey Jardiniere circa 1880

Rare English Majolica Turkey Jardiniere circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

19th Century Unusual English Victorian jardinière cache pot on a cobalt background, one side with a turkey , one with a heron , one with an emu , between a palm tree and a tree with ...

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large 19th Century Jules Vieillard Majolica Vase with Mythological Scenes
Large 19th Century Jules Vieillard Majolica Vase with Mythological Scenes

Large 19th Century Jules Vieillard Majolica Vase with Mythological Scenes

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

Magnificent large majolica vase attributed to Jules Vieillard & Cie, Bordeaux, circa 1870. This richly decorated urn is a superb example of French Renaissance Revival majolica, featu...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience, Majolica, Paint

Large Decorative Ceramic Plate Gray Green Mother Pearl Platter Dish Hand Made
Large Decorative Ceramic Plate Gray Green Mother Pearl Platter Dish Hand Made

Large Decorative Ceramic Plate Gray Green Mother Pearl Platter Dish Hand Made

By deBlona

Located in Recanati, IT

Large white earthenware dish made in one piece by artist G.Mengoni. The plate was made by the pressure technique and then hand-embossed by the artist. The 'abborchiato' technique is ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Luster, 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

Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of fish, seaweeds and shells. Nautical style. Measure: 9.3" diameter.     

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Antique Italian Majolica Fruit Dish in Glazed Ceramic, 1910s
Antique Italian Majolica Fruit Dish in Glazed Ceramic, 1910s

Antique Italian Majolica Fruit Dish in Glazed Ceramic, 1910s

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Large ceramic dish Majolica dish playfully decorated with fruits, grapes and flowers around its perimeter. Unknown Italian maker circa 1910-20 in a style reminiscent of early Clarice...

Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

Rare George Jones Majolica Muffin Dish with Snake Handle

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

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

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen With Lid and Underplate
Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen With Lid and Underplate

Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen With Lid and Underplate

Located in Bradenton, FL

20th Century Faiancas Belo Portuguese Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen with Lid and Underplate. Features a charming and sculptural cabbage-form ceramic soup tureen with matching lid...

Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Rustic Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880
Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880

Majolica Palissy Fish Jardiniere School of Paris, circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

19th century Palissy footed wood box jardiniere School of Paris. A large spotted fish on the front of the jardiniere surrounded by leaves and white dai...

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Mafra Palissy Majolica Lobster Plate
Mafra Palissy Majolica Lobster Plate

Mafra Palissy Majolica Lobster Plate

By Manuel Mafra 1

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Mafra Portuguese Palissy Majolica wall plate which features a lobster and four shells, sitting on an extruded clay ground. Colouration: green, brown, pink, are predominant. The piece...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Pair of White Majolica Ceramic Doves, Italy 1960s
Pair of White Majolica Ceramic Doves, Italy 1960s

Pair of White Majolica Ceramic Doves, Italy 1960s

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

The vintage porcelain or ceramic dove figurines feature finely detailed bodies, artfully hand painted with light green accents on bright white majolica glaze, creating a reserved, natural color palette of white and tone-on-tone green. The birds are realistically sculpted with wide, flowing tails, standing calmly with their heads slightly turned. They are not mirror images of each other; each presents subtle differences in posture, adding visual interest and another layer of complexity to the set. Highly detailed figurines convey a touch of historical elegance and whimsical charm of traditional Italian country style. Each sculpture is marked with ITALY and model numbers on the inner surfaces. While many Italian artists and studios created their version of dove figurine, most of them are stylistically different from this pair; Bitossi and Zaccagnini birds have more streamlined, Modernist silhouettes, and the doves created for Raymor were less detailed and intentionally less realistic, as well as most often marked with distributor name in writing. We're attributing the pair to Mottahedeh, who sourced Italian majolica in similar style; the pieces will be simply marked ITALY and Mottahedeh will add their paper stickers. As the sculptures are quite old, the stickers often get lost or destroyed. The convenient size and small footprint allows the set to be used in a multiple ways, such as dining room centerpiece, console table accent, shelf or fireplace mantel decoration...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Heads Oyster Plate
19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Heads Oyster Plate

19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Heads Oyster Plate

By Thomas Victor Sergent

Located in Austin, TX

A very rare Palissy oyster plate or platter who represents twelve fish heads shells, circa 1880. Attribution to the School of Paris, a French group of ceramists inspired by Bernard P...

Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Two Lobster Plates in Clear Glass, Sweden, Mid-20th Century
Two Lobster Plates in Clear Glass, Sweden, Mid-20th Century

Two Lobster Plates in Clear Glass, Sweden, Mid-20th Century

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Two beautiful Lobster plates made of Glass. A nice addition to your Table. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

German Porcelain Majolica Chick Egg Cup, circa 1920
German Porcelain Majolica Chick Egg Cup, circa 1920

German Porcelain Majolica Chick Egg Cup, circa 1920

Located in Austin, TX

German Porcelain Majolica Chick Egg Cup, circa 1920.

Category

1920s French Rustic Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

19th Century French Majolica Barbotine Cache Pot with Maskaron Handles
19th Century French Majolica Barbotine Cache Pot with Maskaron Handles

19th Century French Majolica Barbotine Cache Pot with Maskaron Handles

Located in Dallas, TX

Add a vibrant decorative touch to your interior with this antique majolica cache pot. Crafted in France, circa 1880, the oval jardinière is richly modeled in high relief with a natur...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

Majolica Urn Vase Flower Decor, Italy 1950s-1960s
Majolica Urn Vase Flower Decor, Italy 1950s-1960s

Majolica Urn Vase Flower Decor, Italy 1950s-1960s

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage pottery vase features urn shaped body with twin handles framing the wide rim, decorated with majolica glaze in organic, earthy brown palette. The abstract floral decor is ver...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Italian Vintage Majolica Sugar Bowl in the shape of a Pepper by Italica ARS
Italian Vintage Majolica Sugar Bowl in the shape of a Pepper by Italica ARS

Italian Vintage Majolica Sugar Bowl in the shape of a Pepper by Italica ARS

By Italica Ars, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

Located in Roma, IT

I offer for sale an extremely decorative and fun element to set your table. Made in Italy between the 70s and 80s, this jar with lid is part of a successful series that included many...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Majolica Pear Wall Platter Longchamp
19th Century Majolica Pear Wall Platter Longchamp

19th Century Majolica Pear Wall Platter Longchamp

By Longchamp

Located in Austin, TX

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

Category

1880s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexico Ceramic Green Wall Mosaic Pyramid Relief
Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexico Ceramic Green Wall Mosaic Pyramid Relief

Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexico Ceramic Green Wall Mosaic Pyramid Relief

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

George Jones Majolica Plate, Grapevine Pattern, English, Circa 1865
George Jones Majolica Plate, Grapevine Pattern, English, Circa 1865

George Jones Majolica Plate, Grapevine Pattern, English, Circa 1865

By George Jones

Located in Winter Park, FL

A 19th century English George Jones Majolica glazed ceramic plate with grapevine pattern in green and brown, center medallion and ochre banded rim. Mottled color on reverse side with...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

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

Located in Atlanta, GA

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

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Spanish Rectangular Mirror with Leaves Frame in Green Ceramic, 1960
Spanish Rectangular Mirror with Leaves Frame in Green Ceramic, 1960

Spanish Rectangular Mirror with Leaves Frame in Green Ceramic, 1960

By Hispania CH

Located in Barcelona, ES

Green Glazed Ceramic Foliage Mirror by CH Hispania ____________________________________________________________ Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern rectangular green ceramic mirror with ...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

A Green Majolica Fish Saucer by Sarreguemines, Mid 20th Century
A Green Majolica Fish Saucer by Sarreguemines, Mid 20th Century

A Green Majolica Fish Saucer by Sarreguemines, Mid 20th Century

By Sarreguemines

Located in ARMADALE, VIC

A Green Majolica Fish Saucer by Sarreguemines, Circa 1930 Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 12cm. Width: 24.5cm. Depth: 9cm.

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique Majolica Daisy Flowers & Lace Water Pitcher Jug Carafe 7"
Antique Majolica Daisy Flowers & Lace Water Pitcher Jug Carafe 7"

Antique Majolica Daisy Flowers & Lace Water Pitcher Jug Carafe 7"

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Majolica pitcher / jug / carafe featuring a design of daisies and lace. Dimensions: 6.75" x 6" x 6.25" (Width x Depth x Height)

Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique French Onnaing Majolica Pumpkin Cachepot Jardiniere Planter, circa 1880
Antique French Onnaing Majolica Pumpkin Cachepot Jardiniere Planter, circa 1880

Antique French Onnaing Majolica Pumpkin Cachepot Jardiniere Planter, circa 1880

By Onnaing

Located in Pearland, TX

A gorgeous antique French Onnaing majolica pumpkin cachepot / jardiniere / planter, circa 1880. Maker's mark on reverse. This fine jardiniere is a nice large size decorated with vibr...

Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Rare Circular George Jones Majolica Squirrel Nut Dish
Rare Circular George Jones Majolica Squirrel Nut Dish

Rare Circular George Jones Majolica Squirrel Nut Dish

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

George Jones Majolica nut dish which features a squirrel sitting on a branch, holding a nut. Surrounded by acorns and oak leaves. Pink ground version. Colouration: green, pink, brown...

Category

1860s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Surrealistic Faience Vase-Pitcher by Alabbo Amalki, Italy, 1960s
Surrealistic Faience Vase-Pitcher by Alabbo Amalki, Italy, 1960s

Surrealistic Faience Vase-Pitcher by Alabbo Amalki, Italy, 1960s

Located in Valencia, VC

Unique Surrealistic Faience / Majolica Vase-Pitcher with Seahorse Handle by Alabbo Amalki, RC Italy A very unique and highly decorative faience (majolica) vase-pitcher, showcasing a...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890

Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges signed Salins, circa 1890.    

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Palissy Walnuts Platter Auguste De Chauvigne circa 1879
Majolica Palissy Walnuts Platter Auguste De Chauvigne circa 1879

Majolica Palissy Walnuts Platter Auguste De Chauvigne circa 1879

By Alexandre-Auguste Chauvigné

Located in Austin, TX

Very rare small Majolica Palissy wall platter signed Auguste de Chauvigne dated 1829. Auguste de Chauvigne ( 1829-1904) Ceramist in Tours ( Center of France ) inspired by the Faien...

Category

1870s French French Provincial 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.