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You are here: Home / Decor / Collecting / Old, Crazy Tableware

Old, Crazy Tableware

February 23, 2011 by Jane F 19 Comments

antique majolica - Minton majolica large-size monkey teapot Cara antiques via atticmagOne thing that makes me so partial to antique 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’d also been eyeballing salad plates shaped like green lettuce leaves for years — you know which ones I mean. Then I  discovered the “good” stuff, English majolica from the late 19th century — pieces like this iconic large monkey teapot depicting a monkey hanging onto a coconut with a bamboo spout. Judging by the finial, the money’s head is the teapot lid. All these years later, this guy has become one expensive pet.

antique majolica - George Jones Majolica Strawberry Dish, molded with Strawberry Leaves. With cream pitcher and sugar bowl ensuite. 14.75" diameter - via atticmag

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 da Vinci of the majolica world, is a key name who had his own manufactory. One example of  Jones’ works is this majolica strawberry dish, molded with strawberry leaves. A small cream pitcher and sugar bowl are integral to the 14.75-inch long dish. Eventually, majolica was made in  America, and reproduction pieces are still sold today in stores and catalogs.

antique majolica - George Jones Pink Majolica Cow Cheese Keeper - atticmagGeorge 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. And prices reflect the quality.

antique majolica - Minton Majolica Oyster Plate via atticmagMinton 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.

antique majolica -George Jones Turquoise Majolica Full Nest Game Pie Dish - atticmagCovered game pie containers with birds and rabbits, like this George Jones “Full Nest” dish, seem so Downton Abbey now. Pâtés rarely grace dinner tables, let alone baked in such elaborate dishware. It’s strictly for display.

antique majolica - Chinese actor majolica teapot - via atticmag

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 Minton teapot in the form of a Chinese actor wearing a turquoise floral robe holding a Noh mask. His head is the lid (again) and the handle is formed by his braided pigtail. Revival styles during the late 19th century were commonly inspired by Asia and political correctness had not yet been imagined.

antique majolica - Majolica cobalt, blackberry and green basket weave large teapot. - strawser auctions via atticmagI’m especially partial to the fruits and vegetables or trees and flowers pieces. At one point, I started collecting teapots (but stopped due to their cost) so I collect them virtually and I thoroughly enjoy the many variations on naturalistic themes (even though they may have nothing to do with tea).

antique majolica - Large majolica Etruscan shell and seaweed coffee pot with crooked spout - gorringes auction via atticmagThe Victorians actually used majolica pieces 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. As in lead paint. So, while many reproduction pieces can be used (I do serve soup in my cabbage) old majolica is strictly for  display.

antique majolica - Royal Worcester Two-Handled Vase - via atticmagVases as elaborate as this Royal Worcester turquoise basketweave beauty, with flowering branches and trunk-form legs, have the power to upstage fresh flowers though if I owned this piece I wouldn’t hesitate to use it!

antique majolica - rare George Jones majolica jardiniere- cara antiques via atticmagAnd 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. How fabulous it would look  on my antique table surrounded by my blue and white-painted Swedish chairs with sphinx motifs on the backs.

(Source:  Cara Antiques, Linda Horn, Charles L. Washburne, Strawser Auctions, Gorringes Auction, Sloans & Kenyon)

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Filed Under: Collecting Tagged With: antique majolica tableware, Atticmag, Cara Antiques, Charles L. Washburne, collectible majolica, George Jones, Gorringes Auction, Linda Horn, majolica teapots, Minton, old crazy tableware, oyster plates, Royal Worcester, Sloans and Kenyon, Strawser Auctions

Comments

  1. Nita@ModVintageLife says

    February 23, 2011 at 5:21 am

    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.

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    February 23, 2011 at 11:02 am

    The pieces are just beautiful! I especially love the “Full Nest” dish. Thanks for sharing!

    Pam

    Reply
  3. Amanda @ House Revivals says

    February 23, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    These are amazing pieces!

    Reply
  4. Puna says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    I LOVE this stuff! I have some pieces . . . new ones thought. Fitz and Floyd is as close as I can afford.

    Reply
  5. Pam says

    February 23, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Jane F @ Atticmag says

      February 24, 2011 at 7:32 am

      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.

      Reply
  6. Janette@ The 2 Seasons says

    February 23, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Thanks so much for stopping by to read our blog. We hope you continue to visit.

    Janette (Autumn)

    Reply
  7. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    February 23, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Gorgeous stuff! I have coveted those oyster plates forever. Love seeing these!

    Reply
  8. Marlis says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Loved seeing all the lovely majolica. The blue oyster plate caught my eye right away!

    Reply
  9. Christine says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    The majolica pieces are so interesting which adds to their beauty….Christine

    Reply
  10. Marigene says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    Beautiful collection of Majolica!

    Reply
  11. Entertaining Women says

    February 23, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    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

    Reply
  12. Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says

    February 23, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    I love Majolica as well. You have some great pieces here, but the monkey is my favorite.

    Reply
  13. Johanna says

    February 24, 2011 at 3:18 am

    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

    Reply
  14. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    February 24, 2011 at 9:17 am

    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!

    Reply
  15. Barbara says

    February 24, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
  16. Komali Nunna says

    February 24, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    I love all your majolica pieces. Simply gorgeous.

    Reply
  17. Katheryn says

    February 24, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    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

    Reply
  18. Scribbler says

    February 25, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    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.

    Reply

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