Majolica

May 1989

Interior Design


Majolica is the generic term for a broad category of tinglazed
earthenware which has been produced over several centuries in many
countries under various labels. In Holland it is called delft, in France
faience and in Italy maiolica. In England it has been produced by
Whieldon, Wedgwood and Minton, among others. American factories like
Milford and Griffen, Smith and Hill continued the manufacture of this
popular ware.

Majolica was first created in Italy in the 15th century In Urbino, a
local artisan discovered a new technique for making a beautiful white
lustrous glaze for pottery It was immediately fashionable, taken up as a
specially of many royal Italian families and used by artists and
sculptors of the Renaissance for portrait busts and plaques, and even
for serving dishes. On the white opaque surface were laid the five
master colors of the Italian painters: blue, green, yellow, purple and
orange plus a brilliant ruby accent. This unusual and beautiful
earthenware was produced until the middle of the 16th century when, for
a variety of reasons, artists turned to other forms. Examples of
magnificent Renaissance majolica may still be seen in major European
museums like the Bargello in Florence.

The next chapter in the history of majolica takes place in France. Just
as the art was waning in Italy a French potter named Bernard Pallissey,
working independently, discovered the secret of the white glaze which
must cover the earthen body so that the subsequent color glazes can
attain their fullest lustre. His period of creativity in the middle of
the 16th century, set a standard that has never been surpassed,
Pallissey and his many followers in France and Germany strove for exotic
effects in the molding of shapes as well as colors that were strong and
vibrant. The influence of Pallissey on subsequent pottery design is most
pronounced in the themes he drew from nature. He portrayed fish and
snakes, shells and plants, flowers and leaves, and these motifs are
still dominant in the decoration of majolica.

By the 18th century faience was popular all over Europe. The delft of
Holland was characterized by the unusual bluish white character of the
glaze. Its decoration and coloring, however were influenced more by
Chinese motifs and by the glory of 17th century Dutch landscape painting
than by the French or Italian designs. The main contribution that delft
made to later majolica style was the more delicate texture of its pottery

In England in 1754 Thomas Whieldon, a distinguished potter who had
already developed a colored highgloss product called agate ware, top
toiseshell or simply Whieldon ware, formed a partnership with Josiah
Wedgwood that was to last for five years. During that period the firm
turned out tortoiseshell dishes, cauliflower jugs and teapots with
crab-stock handles. Wedgwood experimented with many techniques until he
was able to produce that fine green glaze that has become the
distinguishing colon almost the hallmark of old majolica.

Although majolica continued to be popular until the end of the 18th
century the Europeans turned their attention to fine porcelain, and it
was not until the middle of the 19th century and the Victorian Era that
majolica resurfaced. Herbert Minton is credited with a revival of
interest with his display of majolica at the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The new version was very different from the white pottery with the
distinctive Moorish patterns of Renaissance Italian majolica. It was
strongly sculpted and boldly colored with translucent glazes to enhance
the natural forms. The compote pictured here is a perfect example of
Minton majolica-intricate in design, whimsical in subject and sparkling
in color

One of the most creative makers of majolica was George Jones, a potter
from Stoke-Upon-Trent. His pieces, signed GJ, included candelabra,
two-lidded vases and elaborate tureens, and are in great demand by
designers and collectors.

In the 1840s two brothers, Edwin and William Bennett, came to America
from the Wedgwood factory and set up a pottery in Baltimore-the first
one in this country to make majolica. It was so popular that factories
were established in the states of Ohio and New Jersey in Milford,
Connecticut, and the biggest one in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, under
the aegis of Griffen, Smith and Hill. The American factories made the
kind of majolica that was so successful in England, and it is sometimes
difficult to tell the difference between the U.S.- and British-made pottery

The vogue for the English country look has sparked a new popularity for
majolica. The distinctive green glaze with accents of turquoise, pink
and yellow complement the flowery chintzes and sunny backgrounds of the
British style. Designers are always looking for the right accessory, and
majolica often fills the bill.

The Minton serving dish in the photograph was found at KM Antiques of
London in New York's D&D building. This shop carries an assortment of
quality majolica, including rare signed works by George Jones. Another
source of fine majolica is the James II gallery on 57th Street.