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.
$34,500 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.63 in
Minton for Tiffany Complete Dinner Service for 12 Caramel, White & Raised Gold
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
As we approach the holiday season, this complete Minton for Tiffany dinner service for 12 will work with many decorating themes to dress up any even...
Porcelain
Victorian Limoges Porcelain Dinner Service, 37 Pieces, 19th Century
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
37 Piece French Victorian Limoges porcelain dinner service with yellow border and floral trim (PRICED AS SET)
Porcelain
$5,500 / set
H 2 in W 7.25 in D 10 in
English Minton Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service / Twelve People
By Minton
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Minton hand painted and decorated porcelain dinner service for twelve people. Made in England between 1948 -1970 "with impressed marks "Minton / china / 2-65" and pattern numbers in gold. Discontinued pattern. Green rim with hand painted floral interior setting in a white background with hand painted gilt gold design. Each piece is in excellent condition. The set include 12 dinner plates 12 bread and butter plates 12 compote dishes 12 coffee cups 12 coffee saucers...
Gold
37-Piece French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
37 Piece French Victorian Limoges porcelain dinner service with yellow border and floral trim (PRICED AS SET) There are three showing the plates of chips, and one of the tureens. 5 ...
56pc English Crown Staffordshire Elizabethan China Dinner Serving Set
By Crown Staffordshire
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage fine bone china dinner service manufactured in England. Features detailed chintz-like clusters of vibrant pink and blue flowers with green foliage. Crafted with a distincti...
Porcelain
$1,090 / set
H 10.5 in W 15 in D 1.25 in
Thun Bohemia Porcelain Dinner Service for Twelve with Floral Motif & Gilt Rim
Located in Astoria, NY
Thun Bohemia Porcelain Dinner Service for Twelve, floral motif, gilt rim, each marked "TK / Thun / Czechoslovakia" underside, comprising: twelve (12) teacups, twelve (12) saucers, (2...
Porcelain
$1,900 / set
H 15.5 in W 12.25 in D 1 in
Minton "Haddon Hall" Bone China Dinner Service for Fourteen, Floral Design
By Minton
Located in Astoria, NY
Minton "Haddon Hall" Bone China Dinner Service for Fourteen, floral design, each marked "Maddon Hall / Minton / Bone China / Made in England / Designed by John Waddington", comprisin...
Pottery
Victorian Minton Porcelain Dinner Set, 30 Pieces, Gold Banding
Located in Queens, NY
30 Piece English Victorian Minton white porcelain dinner service with gold banding (6 dinner plates, 6 soup bowls, 6 salad plates, 5 dessert plates, 7 bread plates) (PRICED AS SET)
Gold
$1,270Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 1 in W 10.75 in D 10.75 in
60-Piece Wedgwood 'Wellesley' Bone China Dinner Service
By Wedgewood
Located in Germantown, MD
60-piece Wedgwood 'Wellesley' Bone China Dinner Service Comprise of: 11 Dinner 11.75" in diameter, 11 salads 8.5" in diameter, 8 soup 8.5" in diameter, 8 bread 6.5" in diameter, 8 s...
Bone, Porcelain
$1,920Sale Price / set|50% Off
Vintage Limoges Porcelain Dinnerware Set - 80 Pieces
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite vintage dinnerware set, likely crafted in fine Limoges porcelain, features delicate floral patterns and gold accents. Each piece...
Porcelain
Rare and Fine Copeland Spode Dinnerware Service For 12
By Copeland Spode
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Copeland Spode dinnerware with ivory color china, rose band flanked by gilt gadroon trim, gold filigree embellishments. Included in this service: (12)...
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Georgian English New Hall Partial Porcelain Tea Set
By New Hall
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Late 18th century Georgian English New Hall partial fine porcelain tea/china set with rose colored fish-scale border, scrolling garland and florets, circa 1781-1835. Included in this...
Porcelain
Johnson Bros. Peachbloom Partial Service Dinnerware
By Johnson Brothers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dinnerware with peaches, blossoms and vines with brown trim. Made in England 1955 - 1960. Included in this service: (7) dinner plates, 10 1/4" (light surface wear) (7) salad plates,...
Ceramic
24 Vintage Mottahedeh For Vista Alegre Porcelain Dinner Plates- "Summer Fruit"
By Mottahedeh
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 24 Mottahedeh "Summer Fruit" pattern porcelain dinner plates with salmon rim, embossed border with scalloped edge. Made from 1992 - 1998. Now discontinued. Beautifully decorat...
Porcelain
John Davenport Antique English Porcelain Tureen, Platter, Soup Plates 1810-1830
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Crafted in Longport, Staffordshire, England during the early 19th century (circa 1815–1830). This highly collectible Neoclassical set features an ornate tangerine-orange base glaze l...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Worcester Bird Plates
By Royal Worcester
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of yellow dessert plates with exotic bird medallions and butterfly cameos. Impressed crown mark on verso. Retains antique shop stickers on verso ...
Porcelain
