Pottery is one of the oldest decorative art forms, and Minton is one of its historical masters. For more than 250 years, the English company was a premier producer of porcelain and ceramic wares. Its factory was known for detailed and brightly colored Victorian tableware, including dinner plates and serving pieces.
Thomas Minton founded the Minton factory in 1793 in Stoke-upon-Trent, England. It initially made earthenware but introduced bone china in 1798. When Minton died in 1836, the company passed to his son, Herbert Minton. The younger Minton was a savvy businessman with an eye for design. He introduced glossy majolica earthenware to the factory’s repertoire and hired skilled artists and designers like Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, boosting the company’s reputation.
In 1851, Minton debuted its majolica at the Great Exhibition in London. It became a royal family favorite and was even used to tile the Royal Dairy at Windsor Home Park. Minton majolica was also displayed on the monumental Saint George and the dragon fountain at the 1862 London International Exhibition.
Colin Minton Campbell, a nephew of Herbert Minton, took over the family business in 1858. He led the company to the head of the 1870s English art pottery movement. In the 1890s, French porcelain artist Marc-Louis Solon helped modernize Minton with his Art Nouveau designs.
Minton ceased operating as an independent company when it merged with Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd. in 1968. It was the end of an era, but not the end of widespread appreciation for Minton ceramics.
In 1982, the ”English Majolica” exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum featured 75 Minton pieces. When the Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened its British Galleries in 2020, it included a display of three colorful Minton majolica bird sculptures. Minton pottery was also on display from September 2021 to January 2022, along with other English pottery, at the Bard Graduate Center’s ”Majolica Mania” exhibition.
On 1stDibs, find exquisite Minton serveware, decorative objects, wall decorations and more.
Set of 9 Reclaimed Minton & Co Gothic Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant reclaimed gothic encaustic tiles by Minton & Co (stamped), circa 1840- 1860. Each 6-inch tile is detailed with buff and red terracotta tones to create an ornate...
Clay
Set of 9 Antique English Gothic Style Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking set of nine ecclesiastical antique English encaustic tiles. Stamped with maker’s marks to the reverse, this collection includes eight buff and red terracotta tiles in the ...
Clay
Set of 9 Ecclesiastical Antique English Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking set of nine ecclesiastical antique English encaustic tiles. Stamped with maker's marks to the reverse, this collection includes eight buff and red terracotta tiles in the ...
Clay
Set of 9 Encaustic Tiles by W. Maw & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine encaustic tiles by W. Maw & Co Benthall Works, Broseley. Dating from the mid 19th century, this reclaimed set of encaustic tiles are of a neo-medieval style. Made ...
Clay
Set of 9 Encaustic Tiles by W. Maw & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine encaustic tiles by W. Maw & Co Benthall Works, Broseley. Dating from the mid 19th century, this reclaimed set of encaustic tiles are of a neo-medieval style. Made in b...
Clay
Set of 9 Reclaimed English Encaustic Patterned Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A collection of nine reclaimed English encaustic patterned tiles of unknown maker dating from the late 19th/early 20th century. These antique Victorian 6-inch tiles are of a matching...
Clay
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Encaustic Tiles
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful blue and grey encaustic tiles.
Cement
