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.
Large 19th Century Aqua Majolica Jardiniere Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Minton Aqua Majolica Jardiniere with ram's head signed Minton. Height / 14.8 inches. 19 by 14 inches.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century French Painted Porcelain Cache Pot with Snake Handles from Gien
By Gien
Located in Dallas, TX
This round and colorful antique planter was created in “Faïencerie de Gien," France, circa 1890. The large porcelain flower pot has intertwined snake handles, and features traditional Greek style motifs throughout. The sculptural, ceramic vase is decorated with hand painted traditional allegory motifs, including the Horn of plenty and lambrequin mantling decor. The elegant porcelain piece is in excellent condition with rich painted colors in the blue, white and yellow palette inside and out. Stamped Gien France underfoot for further authentication. The Faïencerie de Gien is a ceramic factory in the Loire Valley, founded in 1821 by Thomas Edme Hulm. Amongst the many faience manufacturers in the 19th century, the reputation of Gien is equal to those of the factories of Creil, Longwy or Sarreguemines. Gien further developed the technique of emaux cloisonné...
Porcelain
$2,318 / item
H 20.08 in W 16.54 in D 11.82 in
Majolica Vase Snake Two-handled Amphora Orange Blue Hand Painted Italian Ceramic
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Amphora in majolica handmade in Italy and hand-painted in polychrome, decorated with a reinterpretation of the patterns used in Deruta during the Fifteenth Century, following the ori...
Ceramic, Majolica
Victorian Majolica Jardiniere Renaissance Minton, circa 1876
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Classical style for this large Majolica jardiniere or table centre signed Minton and dated 1876 cherubs handles and masks on each side of Renaissance Revival. On the middle of 19th c...
Majolica, Ceramic
Impressive 19th Century Italian Majolica Centerpiece / Double Snake Handles
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the grandeur of the 19th century with this remarkable Italian majolica decorative centerpiece, boasting a commanding presence and exquisite artistic detail. The exterior of...
Porcelain, Paint
$5,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 17 in W 7 in D 9 in
2 Antique French Sarregumines Majolica Snake Serpent Mantel Vase Urn 17"
By Sarreguemines
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of very large and impressive late 19th century Sarregumines majolica pottery vases - classical urn shape with coiled double headed snake / serpent handles, brown and white multi...
Majolica
19th Century Victorian Majolica Jardiniere Joseph Holdcroft
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century large Victorian Majolica jardiniere with garlands of flowers, the handles are women heads signed Joseph Holdcroft.
Ceramic
$17,832 / set
H 39.38 in W 18.9 in D 10.24 in
Large 19th Century French Sèvres Style Porcelain Vases, Blue w Serpent Handles
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive in size (1 meter / 3.28 feet), this striking pair of 19th century Sèvres style porcelain ewers / vases demonstrate a high level of detail and quality in both the metalwork...
Bronze, Ormolu
$6,467Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in Dm 18.9 in
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica Jardinière on Stand, Planter by Jerome Massier
By Jerome Massier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica jardinière on stand, planter by Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Palissy Snake & Lizard Candelstick Thomas Sergent
By Thomas Victor Sergent
Located in Austin, TX
French Palissy candlestick signed Thomas Sergent, circa 1880. Trompe l'oeil wood with leaves decorated with snake and lizard. Thomas Victor Sergent was an active member of the School...
Ceramic, Majolica
