The essential about majolica in 3 min

I realize that many of you don’t know what exactly majolica is. And as we like what we know, I must tell you more about these treasures now.

"Majolica ? We love it or hate it ! These are extremely decorative pieces of character that allow all the follies in our interior."

definition

To tell the truth the exact term would be rather glazed fine earthenware, but we understand why in the end it is the word barbotine or majolica that has become used to designate these so characteristic pieces of earthenware.

Let’s focus here on the 19th and 20th century pieces, those that we are most likely to be found on flea market !

It is therefore clay pottery with decorations in relief sometimes very pronounced formed raw, and later using molds thanks to the evolution of manufacturing techniques. They are painted by hand or aerospray with color gradients, often very glossy finish thanks to a glaze either translucent or colored.

Majolica is mainly intended for the realization of very decorative pieces.

Works full of fantasy and humor, or art with a naive tendency, very colorful, expressed by caricatural characters, animals, plants and flowers, trompe l'oeil....

The most common pieces:

• Dishes and plates with oysters, asparagus, artichokes, strawberries

• Pitchers in the shape of animals or human caricatures

• Faux fish, shellfish, fruits, vegetables in trompe l’oeil dishes ...

• Cache-pots and planters

• Vases

• Decorative table elements

• Tobacco pots ...

History in Brief

The majolica, finds its origin in very ancient times going back to the 3rd century.

In the 13th century, Hispano-Moorish pottery with tin enamel was transported from Spain to Italy.  Its name majolica, is derived from the Spanish port of Mallorca.

Italy will continue to develop this technique of highly coloured glazes applied on fine earthenware forms such as trays and pitchers.

In 16th century France, Bernard Palissy, a creative engineer, forever marks the history of majolica with his relief dishes decorated with undergrowth where snakes, batracci and crustaceans abound. A style immediately recognizable and copied by many manufacturers until today!

In the 17th century, this new pottery found its way to develop in England at Stoke-on-Trent where its success did not fade until the early 20th century, essentially under the Victorian era.

Majolica is a great success during the second half of the nineteenth century and the period of the Art Nouveau throughout Europe, this technique allowing the greatest follies of plant forms exacerbated to excess.

It is still appreciated until the 50s in a more simple style, then eventually fall into disuse. The industrial manufacturing methods have made the quality of the decors unfortunately no longer the appointment.

Forgotten for several decades, it now knows a strong revival of interest because of its unique and original character and its decorative appearance.

Many collectors are passionate about these small vintage treasures that brighten our tables. Personally, my favorites are those of the late nineteenth century.

Manufacturers

The most famous production sites in Europe, both past and present (non-exhaustive list):

FRANCE	ANGLETERRE
Gien	Minton
Vallauris	Thomas Forester
Montereau	Copeland
Choisy le Roi	George Jones
Longchamp	Wedgwood
Longwy	Royal Worcester
Sarreguemines
St Clément
Salins
Orchies
Lunéville

To the eshop Kitchen Brocante

#ceramique #barbotine #majolique #faience #artsdelatable