Where are the Minton Pottery Collectors’ Groups?

Minton Majolica Vase

Minton Majolica Prometheus Bound Vase and Cover, England, 19th century, Est. $5,000-7,000

When I think of Minton, I think of quality. Many great examples of quality Minton wares come to mind: early porcelains, pate-sur-pate decorated by Marc Louis Solon, the wonderful majolica wares of Victorian England, along with other hand-painted earthenwares and tiles. Minton pottery rivals Wedgwood and surpasses numerous other manufacturers in workmanship, thanks to the fact that some of the most well-known artisans of the time were employed by Minton.

So where are the Minton collectors’ groups? Wedgwood Societies span the globe, with several in the US, one in the UK and three in Australia. Collectors groups as a whole become something much more than a way to share a common interest. The camaraderie and friendships found in these groups last well beyond the collecting years of the members. These Wedgwood collectors’ groups have thrived for many years, while other groups either never developed or have disbanded due to lack of interest or a dwindling membership.

The only group I know of that includes Minton wares is the Majolica International Society, and yet this group encompasses collectors of not only Minton works, but those of Wedgwood, George Jones and many other manufacturers of Victorian majolica as well.

A group for collectors and lovers of Minton wares makes a lot of sense. Minton is highly collected in many categories and is on display in elite museums. A wealth of scholarly articles and books exist on the subject, and the Minton name is well respected by those interested in all types of 19th century English ceramics.

Groups are hard to start, and in today’s society, with so many demands and constant interruptions, it seems an almost impossible task. Part of the problem is knowing where to start. How does one go about finding other collectors and developing an interest in sharing the knowledge and the passion for Minton wares? Maybe this forum is a good place to start.

Are you interested in a group for Minton collectors?

Minton Majolica

Minton Majolica Fruit Basket on Figural Base, England, c. 1862, Est. $4,000-6,000

Majolica Figures

Minton Majolica Compote of a Boy on a Shell, England, c. 1873, Est. $3,000-5,000 and George Jones Majolica Figural Sweet Meat Stand, England, c. 1880, Est. $3,000-5,000

17 thoughts on “Where are the Minton Pottery Collectors’ Groups?

  1. My family has a Minton large pedestal and bowl. The bottom of the pedestal says I803 I have a picture of the base. Someone broke the bowl and we would like to find it or any information on it. Can someone please help?

    Thanks, Randy

  2. Hi,

    I saw your article whilst looking for blogs written by other pottery collectors. I completely agree with your assertions for the Minton factory; whilst i’m not a collector of their wares, I have seen many amazing examples of their fine work, particularly at the V&A (London) and The Potteries Museum (Stoke on Trent). I was recently very luck to purchase a watercolour painting by Henry Stacy Marks, who I believe designed for Minton – but that is my only collecting connection with the factory. My own collection is of the wares of the Powell Bishop & Stonier factory who were a competitor of Minton. Much of their wares were exported to the USA and in particular, their tea leaf ironstone and brown transferware pieces are collected in the States. I’d be curious to know whether Minton were as aggressive in their export business as their contemporaries or whether they stuck mainly to the UK market? Perhaps this would give some indication as to why there is not a more global collecting appreciation of their pottery?

  3. Ihave two white pedastal sweet dishes they are backed stamped staffordshire salt glaze with a minton stamp.I would like to date them and have an idear of what they may be worth

  4. My husband’s mother gave him a Minton ceramic lion given to her by a lady she kept house for in Scotland. It is approximately 8-1/2 inches long and 4-1/2 inches high. It is standing and glazed in shades of brown and green. I call it the ugly lion… Any idea of the value?

  5. recently bought a green minton jug with fox and hound raised relief, william iv, i have fallen in love with it and now want more

  6. I am contemplating collecting Minton White Fife to use as every day china. Some pieces are seen marked with the Minton logs and state bone china. More seem to be just marked with an impression on the bottom with a date.

    Was White Fife made in both bone china and another type. And does anyone know the date range for White Fife?

  7. Hola Stuart, soy Xavi, desde Barcelona, España.
    Desde hace unos 6 años decidí coleccionar algunas piezas de Minton. A medida que pasa el tiempo, más més gusta mi afición.
    A mi también me gustaria encontrar coleccionistas de Minton.
    Un saludo, Xavi

  8. Dear friends of Minton china, I have been searching the web for information on some of my Minton china. We started receiving Minton tiles and odd pieces of Minton in the late 1970’s, when I married a Minton. ( we live in NH., USA) I just found a set of dishes which I bought. They look to be hand painted Minton Earthenware. I would love to get more information on them and some of our other pieces. My father in law was Walter Minton, a book publisher from New York.

    • Thank you for writing. Your best avenue of information would be the two books – Minton: The First 200 Years of Design & Production by Joan Jones and The Dictionary of Minton by Atterbury and Batkin.

      Sincerely

      Stuart

  9. Good morning Stuart,

    Given the online facilities now available with the Minton Archive making Minton attributions so much easier it is a surprise that there is no Minton Society. I have just purchased my first Minton items, two porcelain figures from the late 1820s to the early 1830s. In my limited experience, my view is that the quality of the modelling is superior to any other English porcelain factory regardless of the date of manufacture. I know that ex Derby modellers may have been used at Minton but somehow the preciseness of the modelling just became better.

    I would have thought that the United States would be a better place to start a Minton Society and interest in Minton ceramics might be sparked off by holding Minton Exhibitions at US museums that hold Minton collections with advance notice given by auction houses.

    Regards,

    Stuart

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