Minton’s Victorian Majolica

Majolica Vase

Brownfield Majolica Vase, England, c. 1871-76, Estimate $2,500-3,500, to be sold on July 14, 2012 at our European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction

Victorian majolica was produced in Britain by at least twenty-five to thirty manufacturers, including major potteries such as Wedgwood and George Jones, from the 1850s right through until the turn of the twentieth century. The French, Germans and Americans also manufactured their own majolica, with little similarities in style and enameling to their British counterparts.

None has captured our interest as much as those examples of majolica produced at Minton.  With their vibrant combination of lively enamels and crisp modeling, they produced fanciful forms such as garden seats, heavily molded jugs, oyster plates, game pie dishes, covered cheese dishes, allegorical figures, umbrella/stick stands, pedestals, tiles, flower pots of all shapes and sizes, animals, tea sets, strawberry servers, ornamental vases and much, much more. Majolica decorates a variety of forms so beautifully that it is most impressive and a bit eye-popping to see a collection in a home or on display.

You’ll have a chance to see such a collection in the July 14, 2012 sale of European Furniture & Decorative Arts featuring Fine Ceramics at Skinner in Boston. We have a major collection of over one hundred fine examples of majolica. Works of Minton will be featured, and the collection will include examples from some of Minton’s contemporary British and French competitors.  A fine selection of Portuguese Palissy-type wares will also be offered.

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20 thoughts on “Minton’s Victorian Majolica

  1. Wonderful collection.
    Is it ever worthwhile – and possible – to repair Majolica?
    I have a very large and fabulous jardinier left to me by my mother-in-law – who kept it on the back porch of the beach house filled with sand – back in an era of cigarette smokers.
    Regards,
    Carole R

    • It certainly is worthwhile to a point. I would first find out the value of your jardiniere as is. Then find out the cost of restoration. I would gladly comment if you sent along an image or two.

      Stuart S.

  2. I am a collector of French Art Glass: Galle-Daum Nancy-Muller-Lalique
    Schneider-Le Verre Francais-etc.
    I any fine piecescome up for auction kindly send me photos and relevant
    information.

    Thank you,

    Rodney

    • Rodney,
      The best way to find out about specific pieces coming up for auction is to set up Lot Alerts through the Skinner website. Lot Alerts will automatically notify you when a lot matching your keyword search (for example, “Galle”) is coming up for auction.

      All you have to do is click here: Sign up for Lot Alert
      Then enter your email address and the keywords you are interested in (“Galle”), and click submit. You may add as many different keyword searches as you would like.

  3. I am a collector of French Art Glass: Galle-Daum Nancy-Muller-Lalique
    Schneider-Le Verre Francais-etc.
    I any fine piecescome up for auction kindly send me photos and relevant
    information.

    Thank you,

    Rodney

    • Thank you for your interest. Our subscriptions department will be in touch about pre-ordering a catalogue for this auction.

  4. I sent pictures last year of my collection of majolica but you did not seem interested. The one real prize piece I have was a monkey which I think would have brought a good price. Its listed in the book for approx. $1000. Will you be having another similiar auction in the future? I do hope so.

    • Majolica, as with other ceramics, often comes in as a collection so unfortunately it’s hard to predict another such sale in the future. It will happen but hard to predict. Feel free to call my office at any time to ask what collections are in the pipeline. Ceramic sales are in January and July with consignment deadlines in May and November.

      Stuart S.

  5. I sent pictures last year of my collection of majolica but you did not seem interested. The one real prize piece I have was a monkey which I think would have brought a good price. Its listed in the book for approx. $1000. Will you be having another similiar auction in the future? I do hope so.

  6. Dear Mr. Slavid,
    I have about 50 pieces of Wedgwood including Majolica, Emil Lessore, Fairyland Lustre, Jasper Ware, Pegasus Vase in Black Jasper Ware, Wedgwood and Bently that were family pieces and plaques. How do you handle collections such as this?

  7. Dear Mr. Slavid,
    I have about 50 pieces of Wedgwood including Majolica, Emil Lessore, Fairyland Lustre, Jasper Ware, Pegasus Vase in Black Jasper Ware, Wedgwood and Bently that were family pieces and plaques. How do you handle collections such as this?

  8. Dear Mr. Slavid
    My husband and I are trying to sell several pieces of Minton Victorian Majolica. May I send you some pictures? We bought them from reputable dealers in England several years ago and I still have original invoices, but would like to know the value today.
    Thank you for your help in this matter
    With kind regards
    Irene Snyder

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