One thing that makes me so partial to English majolica is the silly foodie-ness of it all.
Before I ever heard the word majolica, I already owned a soup tureen shaped like a head of green cabbage. I’ve been eyeballing sets of those salad plates shaped like green lettuce leaves for years — you know which ones I mean, don’t you? Then I discovered the “good” stuff, like this iconic large monkey teapot with bamboo spout. He’s grasping a yellow coconut and, judging by the finial, his head is the lid. This guy is one expensive pet.
George Jones Majolica Strawberry Dish, molded with Strawberry Leaves. With cream pitcher and sugar bowl ensuite. 14.75″ diameter.
Funny, intricately formed and incredibly colorful majolica was created in Victorian England for 19th century dining tables and garden rooms by serious china companies like Minton and Wedgwood. George Jones, the Leonardo of majolica, is a key name who had his own manufactory. Eventually, majolica was made in America, and reproduction pieces are sold today in stores and catalogs.
George Jones’ pieces like the domed cow cheese keeper with bovine handle are the gold standard of antique majolica and definitely fall into a you-can’t-miss-this-stuff collecting category. You know it when you see it.
Minton catered to Victorian taste for oysters with plates like these (from 1973) which include seaweed and shell decorations. Seafood and shell motifs were very popular.
Covered game pie containers with birds and rabbits (like this is a George Jones “Full Nest” dish) seem so Downton Abbey now that pâtés rarely grace dinner tables.
Minton teapot in the form of a Chinese actor wearing a turquoise floral robe holding a Noh mask. His head is the lid and the handle formed by his braided hair.
There’s a soft spot in my heart for all the funny-looking humans, animals and mythological figures and historical theme pieces, especially when they are made into teapots. The phrase “all the tea in China” comes to mind with this one — revival styles during the late 19th century were commonly inspired by Asia.
I’m especially partial to the fruits and vegetables, trees and flowers and, of course, teapots.
The Victorians actually used majolica like this Etruscan shell and seaweed coffee pot until about 1875 when it became pretty poison, according to information provided by the Majolica Society. Ironically, the glazes that made the vivid pinks, cobalt blues, turquoises and greens look glamorous were lead-based. While many reproduction pieces can be used (I serve soup in my cabbage) old majolica is strictly for display.
Vases as elaborate as this Royal Worcester turquoise basketweave beauty with flowering branches and trunk-form legs have the power to upstage fresh flowers.
And because most majolica is well beyond my budget and bargains are flukes, I always stop to see it at shows, where this rare jardinière (flower pot) with Egyptian motifs was snapped for my virtual majolica collection.
Funny! I just did a post on majolica today. I have quite a bit of it maybe 30 pieces. I haven’t had it out lately…because it seems out of style but I recently got it out and used it on my fireplace.
The pieces are just beautiful! I especially love the “Full Nest” dish. Thanks for sharing!
Pam
These are amazing pieces!
I LOVE this stuff! I have some pieces . . . new ones thought. Fitz and Floyd is as close as I can afford.
Hi,
I wasn’t able to respond to your comment about the birdhouses as there wasn’t an email address. (you can delete this after you’ve read it)
To put a birdhouse in the ground, I buy a mailbox metal stake at Home Depot (about $15). Pound that into the ground, then put the birdhouse that has been attached to a 4×4 post in the stake. There are bolts to tighten it. After that, you’ll be set!
Have a great day.
Pam
Thanks so much for the info Pam. This is so simple it’s genius. I’ll do a post when we get it in the ground. J.
Thanks so much for stopping by to read our blog. We hope you continue to visit.
Janette (Autumn)
Gorgeous stuff! I have coveted those oyster plates forever. Love seeing these!
Loved seeing all the lovely majolica. The blue oyster plate caught my eye right away!
The majolica pieces are so interesting which adds to their beauty….Christine
Beautiful collection of Majolica!
Thank you for the virtual tour of this gorgeous set of majolica. I am indeed, thinking about collecting the Wedgwood majolica leaf plates…so far I only have one. Cherry Kay
I love Majolica as well. You have some great pieces here, but the monkey is my favorite.
Hello Jane,
this was a wonderful post, I just love those majolica items. O.K. some look a bit kitchy but some are so gorgeous made like the monkey teapot and the covered game pie container. Would make a gogeous Easter centerpiece. Thank you for showing your treasures.
Greetings, Johanna
What a gorgeous collection! I love the fun theme.
I hope you will stop by and visit the linky party I am hosting. There are prizes!
So intriguing! I’ve never heard this word before but I certainly recognize it. My grandfather had a lamp in this style – a swordfish. The colors and textures in these pieces are really special.
I love all your majolica pieces. Simply gorgeous.
Love the Oyster Plate. I would love to have this style in a Seder Plate. How original that would be! Do you use all or pieces or are they more for collecting? Just curious.
Katheryn
The oyster plate is my favorite — it’s the color, I think. I really enjoyed looking through your photos and reading today’s post. I don’t know tons about this stuff either.