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.
Square White Majolica Mermaid Wall Plate Circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Square Majolica mermaid plate with shells on the corners, the mermaid sit on a flying fish, the border is decorated with shrimps, circa 1920.
Ceramic
French Neo-Renaissance Majolica Plate circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Neo-Renaissance Majolica Plate circa 1890. Decorated with a cavalier on the center, border with medallion portraits.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Minton White Majolica Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Minton white Majolica oyster plate. Dated 1880.
Ceramic
Large 19th Century Neo-Renaissance Majolica Palissy Plate Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century Neo-Renaissance Palissy Plate signed Minton. 9.8 inches diameter.
Ceramic
French Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate with green acanthus leaves, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
French Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate with green acanthus leaves, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
A French 19th century hand painted majolica dish from the Gien factory C 1875
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive large twin handled table centrepiece is stunning in its fine hand painted detail. It was made in France at the Gien Faience Pottery Works and bears the early fac...
Majolica
19th Century Italian Majolica Charger
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century hand painted Italian charger featuring three cherubs interacting with another lying on a bed of wheat stalks under a scenic skyscape. Beau...
Ceramic, Majolica
Large Antique French Gien White Pale Blue Majolica Oyster Platter, Circa 1890
By Gien
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare large antique 19th-Century French Gien porcelain oyster platter, fluted and gilt at the edges, circa 1890. It's a lovely glazed white color with pale blue undertones. Maker's ...
Majolica, Porcelain
Massive Early 20th Century Italian Majolica Bacchanalian Scene Platter
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A massive tin glazed earthenware platter from the Deruta region of Italy. The plater depicts a bacchanalian scene and dates to the early part of the 20th Century. The platter is sign...
Pottery
19th Century French Gien Faience Platter
By Gien
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Gien faience decorative charger or shallow bowl, hand-painted in red, orange, yellow, blue, and green on white ground with Renaissance style imagery with a cent...
Faience
19th Century French Porcelain Allegorical Charger
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French porcelain Allegorical charger. Stunning 19th century French hand decorated, artist-signed allegorical porcelain charger. This b...
Porcelain, Faience
