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.
Royal Doulton. Art Nouveau vase with floral motifs in relief. 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Doulton Art Nouveau vase, 1930s. Elegant Art Nouveau vase made in glazed stoneware with a deep blue flowing glaze and relief-decorated floral panels in soft, warm tones. The v...
Stoneware
Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Hand Painted Handled Vase by EW
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and graphic Art Nouveau vase was realized in Austria circa 1910. It features a circular base with a gourd form body that ascends into a slender undulating neck and a sc...
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Gerbing & Stephan, AT ca. 1910
By Gerbing & Stephan
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare Art Nouveau majolica vase by the world famous manufactory of Gerbing & Stephan from the early period in Austria around 1910. The beautiful shaped grey blue color...
Ceramic, Majolica
Art Nouveau Earthenware Floral Vase by Edmond Lachenal
By Edmond Lachenal
Located in Palm Beach, FL
EDMOND LACHENAL (1855-1948) One of France’s most influential ceramists, Edmond Lachenal contributed significantly to the development of Art Nouveau. His poor beginnings in Paris le...
Earthenware
Rozenburg DenHaag Art Nouveau Vase, Late 19th Century
By Rozenburg Porcelain
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Rozenburg earthenware vase, Holland, circa 1890s. Polychrome enameled with stylized flowers. Painted mark: Rozenburg denHaag K522 and the stork symbol. Measures: 8.63" H x 4" W. Mint condition. The Rozenburg Royal Delftware...
Clay
French Art Nouveau Vase Majolica Gustave De Bruyn 29cm
By Gustave De Bruyn
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful French Art Nouveau vase made of polychrome crackle majolica earthenware, decorated with peonies and floral motifs, numbered and marked on the bottom. Gustave De Bruyn (Leu...
Majolica
$700
H 8.67 in Dm 5.12 in
Regina, Holland, Antique Art Nouveau Vase with Hand-Painted Flowers and Foliage
Located in København, Copenhagen
Regina, Holland. Antique art nouveau vase in glazed ceramics with hand-painted flowers and foliage. Approx. 1910. Measures: 22.5 x 13.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. The Regina pottery factory, Kunstaardewerkfabriek Regina, existed from 1898 to 1979. Located in Gouda, Holland, the factory was established in Queen...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Vase Handmade and Hand Glazed and Enamel Details 1930s
By Faienceries Sarreguemines
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand-glazed Art Nouveau Vase, 1930. Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant colored details. Made in Belgium Art Nouveau period 1930 fine quality. The piece is in ...
Enamel
French Faience Art Nouveau Vase, Baluster Form, Early 20th Century, France
By Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy, Boch Freres Keramis
Located in Glasgow, GB
This small French faience vase attributed to a maker in the Longwy region dates from the early 20th century and presents a richly decorated Art Nouveau composition. The vase displays...
Enamel
Monumental Majolica Vase Art Nouveau Royal Dux Circa 1900
By Royal Dux
Located in Austin, TX
Large Faience Vase Art Nouveau Royal Dux Circa 1900. Chesnut bogues and leaves. Pink flowers. Height / 21.7 inches.
Faience
Royal Worcester Floral Painted Urn Shaped Porcelain Twin Handled Vase
By Royal Worcester
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful Art Nouveau Royal Worcester urn shaped twin handled porcelain vase hand painted with floral designs dated 1905. The lightly potted vase stands on a narrow round foot rim...
Porcelain
Leonard Vienna Art Nouveau Hand Painted Floral Porcelain Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A tall and elegant Austrian Viennese Art Nouveau porcelain vase hand painted with floral designs by Leonard and dating from around 1905. The vase is of tall narrow round shape with a...
Porcelain
Doulton Lambeth Art Union of London Floral Vase by Emily E Stormer
By Doulton Lambeth
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth floral design Vase made for the Art Union of London by renowned artist Emily E Stormer and dating from around 1885. The stoneware va...
Stoneware
George Clews Tunstall Chameleon Ware Large Hand-Painted Vase
By Clews Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very large and impressive Art Deco George Clews & Co, Tunstall, Chameleon Ware hand painted vase with leaves dating from around 1925. The finely potted ...
Earthenware
Frederick Rhead Pair Elers Ware Art Nouveau Patterned Tube-Lined Vases
By Frederick Rhead
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning pair Art Nouveau patterned Wood & Sons Elers Ware tube lined vases designed by Frederick Rhead and dating from around 1915. This elegant pair porcelain vases are of tall b...
Porcelain
Mark V Marshall Doulton Lambeth Abstract Leaf & Berry Design Vase
By Doulton Lambeth
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and unusual Art Nouveau Doulton Lambeth Art Pottery vase decorated with abstract leaf and raised fruiting berries by renowned modeler, designer and decorator Mark V Ma...
Stoneware
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1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.
