![\"Majolica](\"https:\/\/madelena.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/majolica_holdcroft_comport-e1423491192145.JPG\")
<\/a>In subsequent blogs we will explain the\u00a0appeal, the many\u00a0types, the\u00a0makers, the countries, more on the history and\u00a0some insights on value, care, collecting and conservation.<\/p>\n
Our Madelena online store has in excess of 400 pieces of Antique Victorian English and\u00a0European Majolica for sale.<\/p>\n
Our\u00a0Majolica for sale can be viewed here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n What\u00a0do people mean when they\u00a0refer to antique<\/strong> majolica or antique majolica pottery?<\/p>\n The rule is that\u00a0anything over\u00a0100 years old is antique.<\/p>\n Not only the art and antiques trade but also Customs & Excise departments the world over use this definition.<\/p>\n When people use the term ‘vintage’, they\u00a0are likely to\u00a0be talking about an object less\u00a0than 100 years old, possibly fewer than\u00a0fifty.<\/p>\n When we say ‘majolica’ we mean the whimsical, richly colored, intelligent pottery that makes you smile<\/a>.<\/p>\n Known today as Victorian majolica it was launched in\u00a01851 by Mintons as ‘Palissy ware’.<\/p>\n New lead glazes and a special kiln were invented\u00a0by Leon Arnoux working for Minton.<\/p>\n Victorian refers to the years of\u00a0production from 1851 to\u00a01900.<\/p>\n Queen\u00a0Victoria\u00a0reigned until her\u00a0death in January\u00a01901.<\/p>\n Her consort Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg was not so lucky having died of typhoid four decades\u00a0earlier,\u00a0in 1861.<\/p>\n The monkey and tortoise figure\u00a0by Copeland was named\u00a0“Sloth and Mischief” after a\u00a0 19th century fable.<\/p>\n Tin glaze earthenware pottery has\u00a0been\u00a0manufactured from before 1500 to the present day.<\/p>\n Maiolica (Italian), delft ware (Dutch)\u00a0and faience (French) are all types of tin-glaze earthenware pottery entirely distinct from lead-glaze earthenware.<\/p>\n Confusingly ‘majolica’ and\u00a0‘maiolica’ have over centuries been used interchangeably.<\/p>\n We will return to the causes of confusion in another blog.<\/p>\n As long ago as 1875 the South Kensington Museum made a first attempt at persuading the public to use ‘maiolica’ only\u00a0for tin-glaze and ‘majolica’ only for lead glaze. They published two booklets entitled Maiolica (tin glaze)<\/strong> and Majolica (coloured lead glazes)<\/strong> to\u00a0make clear\u00a0the distinction. Further\u00a0enquiry reveals that only\u00a0‘MAIOLICA’ was published. The ‘MAJOLICA’ publication was a spelling error which the V&A museum (formerly the South Kensington Museum)\u00a0will correct in due time. Only when we asked to read it did they realise the error.<\/em><\/p>\n Perfect for interior and exterior\u00a0d\u00e9cor, majolica<\/p>\n was suitable for everything from floor tiles to the finest figurines.<\/p>\n It worked as well for\u00a0a delicate dressing table set as\u00a0it did\u00a0for a monumental water fountain.<\/p>\n Its amazing versatility in home decoration, then as now, is due to its durability, color, creativity and range.<\/strong><\/p>\n The very English passion for nature and for the English garden translated wonderfully into objects for the\u00a0home. Lush colors\u00a0to \u00a0brighten hallways<\/strong>. Centrepieces, cheese keeps, sardine boxes\u00a0and dessert services\u00a0to stun dinner<\/strong> guests. Bedroom<\/strong> table sets\u00a0adorned with butterflies. Conservatories\u00a0<\/strong>boasting garden seats, jardini\u00e8re stands and dog bowls.<\/p>\n Brilliantly decorated forms\u00a0depicting shells, plants, birds, ferns, plants, flowers, birds and other animals were everywhere.<\/p>\n Lions, monkeys, and\u00a0dogs\u00a0are\u00a0as popular now as they were in their day.<\/p>\n Cats<\/strong> however were not as popular in Victorian times.<\/p>\n Today, because\u00a0so few were made,\u00a0they are very rare.<\/p>\n Back in 1860 the British Empire was at its greatest and proudest.<\/p>\n Interest in the world at large continued also to broaden. Booming trade<\/strong> with the East brought everything ‘oriental’ suddenly back into fashion. A further flush of national pride following Petrie’s excavations in Egypt also found expression in majolica.<\/p>\n Underlying the design of every interior is a sense of taste and discernment. Also\u00a0a subtle\u00a0appreciation\u00a0for the connection between\u00a0our interior d\u00e9cor with history and art.<\/p>\n The Victorian passion for nature and the English garden found vibrant expression in majolica pottery, transforming everyday household objects into works of art adorned with lush depictions of flora and fauna. From cheese keepers and sardine boxes to dessert services and jardini\u00e8res, these pieces brought the beauty of the natural world indoors with richly colored glazes and intricate sculptural details. Birds, ferns, flowers, shells, and animals like lions, monkeys, and dogs were common motifs, reflecting both a love of the outdoors and the era\u2019s fascination with exploration and taxonomy. While cats were less popular during the 19th century, cat-shaped jugs and figurines\u2014such as the rare Minton miniature cat jug from around 1875\u2014are now highly sought after due to their scarcity and charm.<\/p>\n The global reach of the British Empire in the 1860s also influenced design, with exotic themes like bamboo seen in Minton teapots reflecting renewed interest in Chinese and Japanese aesthetics, while discoveries in Egypt inspired additional decorative trends. Just as Victorian interiors revealed a deep connection between personal taste, history, and global awareness, modern decisions about health and wellness benefit from informed choices\u2014such as consulting a specialist about<\/a> Rybelsus therapy\u2014ensuring that care is both thoughtful and aligned with individual needs.<\/p>\n Further reading on\u00a0majolica pottery\u00a0can be found\u00a0on this link: Discover Majolica<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nAntique. Antique means over 100 years old.<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Majolica. Coloured lead\u00a0glazes.<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Maiolica. Tin glaze.<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Magical Home D\u00e9cor<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Flora and fauna<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Trade and Exploration<\/h3>\n
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