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Majolica Furniture

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Material: Majolica
Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish
Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish

Joseph Holdcroft Majolica Fish on Coral Dish

By Joseph Holdcroft

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Holdcroft Majolica dish which features two entwined fish and coral. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, green, grey, are predominant.

Category

1880s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Art Nouveau Majolica Vide-Poche with Fish Decoration, France, 1920s
Art Nouveau Majolica Vide-Poche with Fish Decoration, France, 1920s

Art Nouveau Majolica Vide-Poche with Fish Decoration, France, 1920s

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

A charming Art Nouveau-style glazed ceramic catch-all, featuring two small dishes joined by a naturalistic sculpture of two fish. Crafted in majolica (barbotine), it displays delicat...

Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier
Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier

By Jerome Massier

Located in Choudrant, LA

Antique French Majolica Bird Wishing Well Flower Holder Cache Pot Jerome Massier. Direct from France, a rare and unique French majolica piece that features a multitude of birds arou...

Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique 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

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

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

By Clement Massier

Located in New Orleans, LA

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

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Holdcroft Circa 1890
English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Holdcroft Circa 1890

English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Holdcroft Circa 1890

Located in Austin, TX

English Victorian Majolica Sunflower Box Holdcroft Circa 1890.

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, 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

Talavera Decorative Lavabo Sink Folk Art Mexican Ceramic Blue White
Talavera Decorative Lavabo Sink Folk Art Mexican Ceramic Blue White

Talavera Decorative Lavabo Sink Folk Art Mexican Ceramic Blue White

By Cesar

Located in Queretaro, Queretaro

Elegant white and blue sink lavabo made with the Talavera technique. Artist, Cesar Torres portraits the colonial art of Mexico. The Talavera is not just a simple painted ceramic: its exquisite decoration is the product of a delicate process of alchemy that translates into fine enamels. In Puebla, Mexico few people still produce using Talavera with the ancestral techniques. One of those few is Cesar Torres, Don Cesar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Spanish Colonial Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Majolica

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900
French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

French Majolica Oyster Plate Orchies, circa 1900

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

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

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

By Jerome Massier Fils

Located in Austin, TX

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

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Asparagus Plates Wicker Style Set of 4 Manufactured by Orchies France
Majolica Asparagus Plates Wicker Style Set of 4 Manufactured by Orchies France

Majolica Asparagus Plates Wicker Style Set of 4 Manufactured by Orchies France

By Orchies

Located in Paris, FR

This 19th-century Majolica asparagus hand-painted plate was made in France. Asparagus plate in barbotine - slip decorated with colored asparagus in the middle part, wicker style text...

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s
Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s

Large Midcentury Majolica Red Fish Pottery Ceramic Tureen Box, Portugal, 1950s

By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

Located in Coimbra, PT

A magnificent big size hyper realistic glazed ceramic fish tureen in shades of vibrant red and grey with dark accents manufactured in Portugal, 1950s. Beautiful to use as a wall deco...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Jardinière
Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Jardinière

Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Jardinière

Located in New Orleans, LA

For the serious collector of Art Nouveau, a charming and unique antique French Art Nouveau majolica jardinière with lovely hand painted natural decoration, rolled scalloped edge and ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Faience, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate
19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate

19th Century Swedish Rörstrand Majolica Turquoise Chestnut Leaf Plate

By Rörstrand

Located in Pearland, TX

A lovely antique 19th-Century Swedish chestnut leaf majolica dessert plate produced by the renowned Rörstrand company, one of Sweden's oldest ceramic factories, circa 1880. Impressed...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

French Majolica Trinket Box with Cherubs
French Majolica Trinket Box with Cherubs

French Majolica Trinket Box with Cherubs

Located in Tampa, FL

A stunning French majolica trinket box dating to the 1890s, featuring two beautifully modeled cherub heads at the top in an ornate Baroque style. Glazed in a rich turquoise hue, thi...

Category

1890s French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

19th Century Majolica Palissy Porcelain Flounder Fish Wall Platter
19th Century Majolica Palissy Porcelain Flounder Fish Wall Platter

19th Century Majolica Palissy Porcelain Flounder Fish Wall Platter

Located in Austin, TX

Rare 19th Century Majolica Porcelain Palissy Flounder Fish Wall Platter. 8.2 inches diameter.

Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890
French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate with seaweeds signed Salins (East of France) circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Majolica Palissy Lizard Footed Platter Pull, circa 1870
Majolica Palissy Lizard Footed Platter Pull, circa 1870

Majolica Palissy Lizard Footed Platter Pull, circa 1870

By Georges Pull

Located in Austin, TX

Palissy footed platter on a blue brown mottled background with a large lizard on the centre, on the platter severals white shells and different leaves a...

Category

1870s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

Antique 19th Century English Majolica Floral Leaf Handled Platter

Located in Pearland, TX

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

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

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

French 19th Century Glazed Majolica Lidded Fruit Dish with Grapes

Located in Atlanta, GA

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

Category

19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

An Antique Italian Glazed Pottery Jug from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory
An Antique Italian Glazed Pottery Jug from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory

An Antique Italian Glazed Pottery Jug from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory

Located in New Orleans, LA

This is an antique Italian ceramic jug, likely from the Montelupo Fiorentino factory, dating to around the late 19th century with the coat-of-arms of the Medici Grand Dukes flanked b...

Category

1880s Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Majolica, Maiolica, Earthenware, Ceramic

Minton Majolica Fantail Pigeon Vase
Minton Majolica Fantail Pigeon Vase

Minton Majolica Fantail Pigeon Vase

By Minton

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Minton Majolica vase which features three fantail pigeons with wings raised, supporting a bulbous vase. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, white, ochre, are predom...

Category

1870s Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Emile Taugourdeau French Faux Bois Concrete Mosaic Tile Garden Table
Emile Taugourdeau French Faux Bois Concrete Mosaic Tile Garden Table

Emile Taugourdeau French Faux Bois Concrete Mosaic Tile Garden Table

Located in Forney, TX

A whimsical faux bois concrete garden table by Emile Taugourdeau (French, 1917-1989). This extraordinary outdoor table from France has been designed in whimsy faux bois fashion, le...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Majolica Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900

Pair of Majolica Morning Glory Vase Jerome Massier, circa 1900

By Jerome Massier

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of Majolica morning glory vases Jerome Massier, circa 1900. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an incredible whole...

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960
Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960

Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This charming vintage French ceramic pitcher takes the form of a stylized owl, beautifully rendered in the tradition of mid-20th century barbotine ware. Likely dating from the 1960s–...

Category

20th Century French Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Paint, 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

Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century
Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century

Bitossi for Peasant Village Large Shell-shaped Bowl, Red Glaze Italy Mid Century

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Shell-shaped ceramic bowl is glazed in red with complex variations in glaze color accentuating the intricate shape of the bowl. The bowl is signed on the bottom with "Italy 68105 ...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s

Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

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

Located in Dallas, TX

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

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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

French 1880s Barbotine Majolica Basket with High Relief Colorful Flowers
French 1880s Barbotine Majolica Basket with High Relief Colorful Flowers

French 1880s Barbotine Majolica Basket with High Relief Colorful Flowers

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French majolica basket from the late 19th century with high relief floral barbotine décor. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century, this majolica features a b...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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

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

Pair of Wedgwood Majolica Cauliflower Pattern Plates, English 1920.
Pair of Wedgwood Majolica Cauliflower Pattern Plates, English 1920.

Pair of Wedgwood Majolica Cauliflower Pattern Plates, English 1920.

By Wedgwood

Located in Banner Elk, NC

Pair of stunning Majolica plates by Wedgwood in cauliflower patterned texture on outer rim. Stamped on back with "Wedgwood", "Made in England" and pattern number "5697". In great con...

Category

1920s English Vintage Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

French Monumental Majolica Shell Vase Circa 1880
French Monumental Majolica Shell Vase Circa 1880

French Monumental Majolica Shell Vase Circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

Stunning monumental Majolica pink clamshell jardiniere, circa 1880. This yellow and brown footed shell is decorated with coral,seaweeds and yellow...

Category

1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890
French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

French Majolica Oyster Plate Salins, circa 1890

By Salins

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica oyster plate with seaweeds Salins (East of France) circa 1890.  

Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Italian Pair Pierced Majolica Lamps Urn Shaped w/Filigree Bases by Cantagalli
Italian Pair Pierced Majolica Lamps Urn Shaped w/Filigree Bases by Cantagalli

Italian Pair Pierced Majolica Lamps Urn Shaped w/Filigree Bases by Cantagalli

By Cantagalli

Located in Topeka, KS

Marvelous vintage Italian pair of table lamps composed of pierced majolica urn shaped bodies with hand painted green leaves & gilded tips, brass & brass plated combination fi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Majolica Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

19th Century Majolica Hen & Chicks Plate Choisy Le Roi

By Choisy-le-Roi

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica plate with hen & chicks signed 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 c...

Category

1890s French Country Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Delphin Massier Majolica Jardinière 'Planter and Oak Stand', Vallauris
Delphin Massier Majolica Jardinière 'Planter and Oak Stand', Vallauris

Delphin Massier Majolica Jardinière 'Planter and Oak Stand', Vallauris

By Delphin Massier, Vallauris

Located in Verviers, BE

Art Nouveau Majolica jardinière, planter with Oak stand Style of Delphin Massier & Fils at Vallauris This stylish piece is an early example by a renowned maker, showing the main inspirations of Art Nouveau, applying curved, organic and asymmetrical design elements to a functional object. In this example, hand-applied ceramic petals and streaks of coloured glaze are used to accentuate the plant-like shape. The jardinière is exactly matched to the Oak stand on which it sits. Design period, circa 1890 The piece is in Good condition with no signs of cracks or damage, and a real beauty! A rare find for the connoisseur. Dimensions: Complete Height 97 cm External diameter 46 cm Jardinière / pot External diameter 46 cm Height 34 cm Stand/pillar Oak...

Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Oak

Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl
Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl

Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl

Located in Hudson, NY

This good sized bowl is a great example of the majolica wares produced in Italy throughout the 15th, 16th, 17, and 18th centuries. Humble and simple but highly decorative and enterta...

Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

Majolica

A Majolica Grape-Form Wine Jug by Brown-Westhead, Moore, English, ca. 1876
A Majolica Grape-Form Wine Jug by Brown-Westhead, Moore, English, ca. 1876

A Majolica Grape-Form Wine Jug by Brown-Westhead, Moore, English, ca. 1876

By Brown-Westhead & Moore

Located in Banner Elk, NC

T. C. Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. Majolica Wine Jug is molded as bunches of purple-glazed grapes with grape leaves and vines on a raised base of crisscrossed branches and branch hand...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Majolica Furniture

Materials

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.