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.
Late 19th Century Majolica Pond Lily Footed Compote
By Griffin, Smith & Hill
Located in Ross, CA
Majolica lotus flower and lily pad centerpiece footed compote stand made in the United States attributed to Griffin, Smith & Hill in the late 19th / early 20th century.
Ceramic
$2,885
H 4 in Dm 15.5 in
Minton Majolica Centerpiece Tray 15-in, Lotus Flower on Green Ground, Dated 1863
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton Majolica centerpiece, naturalistically modeled as a pond bed with simulated water glazed in cyan blue, with green glazed lily pads and flowering pond lilies (lotus), and reeds glazed in various shades of green, with brown and ochre-glazed cattails molded in high relief to form the border, with a central lotus flower glazed in white and blue, concealing a solid brass original fitting for a candle, doubling as a receptacle for an (optional) additional tier which would have screwed into the fitting; the fitting is removable. Impressed marks to reverse: 'MINTON' and Minton date cypher for 1863; an impressed 'A' possibly for the designer, Thomas Allen...
Majolica
Salins French Majolica Oyster Plate, c.1890's
Located in Ross, CA
French majolica oyster plate with six wells surrounded by seaweed. A sauce well for lemon wedges is at the center. Stamped Salins on the reverse.
Ceramic
19th Century English Majolica Handled Dish
Located in Bridgeport, CT
19th Century English majolica handled dish in the form of a lily pad with a trailing vine handle terminating with rose and yellow colored flowers. Dimensions: 9" x 9" x 1 3/4" H Co...
Ceramic
Wedgwood Majolica Pottery Chrysanthemum Oyster Plate Dish from 19th Century
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Wedgwood, majolica oyster plate with chrysanthemum flowers, presumably from the 19th century. It measures 9 1/2'' in diameter. Please feel free to ask us any questions, and please ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,285
H 0.25 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
George Jones Majolica Trompe L'oeil Waterlily Tile, Cobalt Ground, ca. 1880
By George Jones & Sons
Located in Banner Elk, NC
George Jones Majolica Trompe L'oeil Rare Tile, naturalistically molded in high relief with a large green-glazed lily pad and waterlilies, on a cobalt blue ground, the reverse with pa...
Majolica
Minton English Majolica Plate, c.1860
Located in Ross, CA
Hand painted vibrant green majolica wall plate made in England by Minton, date stamped to 1860. The plate has a latticework basket weave rim with an alternating fan pattern in the c...
Ceramic
Vintage Majolica Floral Plate
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Majolica platter is a masterwork of botanical naturalism and artisanal glazed pottery, bringing the vibrant soul of Italian craftsmanship to the home. The piec...
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century French Majolica Floral Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique French majolica floral plate, circa 1890. This beautiful French country style plate has hand painted pink flowers and leaves on a ligh...
Majolica
Antique 19th Century English Majolica Floral Leaf Handled Platter
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique 19th-Century English majolica flowers and leaves plate, platter, or handled dish. This lovely platter is decorated with floral and leaf motifs on a fence and trellis...
Majolica
19th Century English Majolica Water Lily Plate
Located in Austin, TX
English Majolica water lily plate, Circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Water Lily Pond Plate Wasmuel, circa 1890
By Wasmuel Majolica
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Small Majolica Water Lily Pond Plate Wasmuel, circa 1890
By Wasmuel Majolica
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.6 inches diameter , 8 plates available.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Water Lily Plate Joseph Holcroft
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica water lily plate Joseph Holcroft. 7 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Majolica Water Lily Plate Joseph Holcroft
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica water lily plate Joseph Holcroft. 7 inches diameter.
Majolica, Ceramic
Majolica Water Lily Pad Plate Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Water Lily Pad or water lilies Plate signed Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900. 7.7 inches diameter.
Ceramic
