How Can You Tell Majolica Pottery?
Majolica pottery refers to colorful tin-glazed earthenware produced from the 15th to early 20th centuries. The distinctive glaze gives majolica its brilliant colors and glossy finish. “Majolica” derives from the Spanish island of Majorca, where production began in the 1400s, although Italy later became the leading producer. Majolica reached peak popularity during the Victorian era when elaborately decorated pieces adorned parlors and dining tables. Majolica encompasses a wide range of tableware, ornamental items, and decorative tiles designed in a menagerie of shapes from botanical motifs to fantastical creatures. While traditional production declined in the early 20th century, majolica retains an avid collector base drawn to its vibrant colors and whimsical designs.
Distinctive Glaze
Majolica pottery is known for its thick opaque white glaze, often referred to as a majolica glaze, which allows the bright colors of the decorations painted on top to stand out vividly. The majolica glazing technique was developed in the Middle Ages in Italy as an inexpensive alternative to expensive Chinese porcelain imports that were popular at the time.
The majolica glaze is created using tin oxide, which gives it a bright white opaque quality when fired. This provides the ideal surface for the elaborate decorative designs in vibrant colors characteristic of majolica pottery. The colors are painted on top of the fired glazed piece and then fired again at a lower temperature to set the colors without disturbing the underlying glaze.
Decorative Designs
Majolica pottery is known for its bright colors and fanciful designs often inspired by nature. Traditional majolica pieces feature decorative designs with floral and leaf motifs like tulips, sunflowers, acanthus leaves, vines, and scrollwork. The glazes allow for brilliant colors and fine details to be painted onto the pottery. Common colors seen in majolica designs include cobalt blue, manganese purple, antimony yellow, iron red, copper green, and orange. The designs may be painted freehand or use stencils. Period majolica often features central medallion motifs surrounded by stylized flowers and leaves. The pottery may also have mold-formed designs like shells, leaves, or scrolls built into the shape before glazing. The ornate and playful decoration is part of what makes majolica pottery so visually distinctive.
Shapes and Sizes
Majolica pottery was made in a diverse array of shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common:
Plates
Majolica plates came in sizes ranging from small saucers to large serving platters. They often had scalloped edges or decorative borders. Plates were frequently adorned with floral patterns, fruits, seashells, or figurative scenes.
Bowls
Bowls were produced in many dimensions, from tiny condiment bowls to sizable mixing bowls. They were sometimes fashioned with two handles curved on either side. Majolica bowls commonly had bright geometric designs or images of fish, birds, and other animals.
Jugs
Majolica jugs and pitchers came in bulbous, rounded, or cylindrical forms. They were designed with a handle and spout for pouring liquids. Jugs often had reliefs of fruits, flowers, or coastal landscapes hand-painted on a light background.
Vases
Vases were a popular majolica shape, crafted in vertical and rounded forms. They were frequently embellished with detailed floral motifs in vibrant colors. Majolica vases sometimes had metal mounts around the neck or base.
Backstamps and Markings
One of the best ways to identify authentic majolica pottery is to look for maker’s marks stamped on the bottom or back side of a piece. These markings indicate which company manufactured the majolica and can sometimes provide details on the date of production.
Popular majolica manufacturers like Minton, Wedgwood, George Jones, and Holdcroft all had distinct stamps they used to mark their pottery. The marks often included the company name, location, pattern name, as well as symbols like crowns, ribbons, or crests. According to Madelena.com, Minton majolica pieces may be stamped with the words “Minton” and “England,” while Wedgwood majolica may say “Wedgwood” and “Etruria” (source). Holdcroft pottery is often marked with a capital H symbol.
In addition to manufacturer marks, majolica pieces may have additional stamps indicating the production location. Majolica made in England will typically say “England” or have the name of an English city like “Stoke.” Italian majolica may be marked with the name of a town like “Deruta” or “Faenza.” Backstamps are a key way to authenticate the origins of majolica pottery.
Quality and Condition
When examining majolica pottery, pay close attention to the quality and condition. Some signs of authentic, high quality majolica include:
- Minimal crazing (tiny cracks in the glaze) – Some crazing is common in antique majolica, but it should not be excessive.
- No major chips, cracks, or repairs – Authentic majolica in good condition will not have extensive damage.
- Vibrant colors – While some fading is expected in antique majolica, the colors should not be dull or washed out.
As noted on The Pottery Wheel, evaluating the overall quality is key. Well-made majolica has a smooth, glossy glaze and crisp painted decorations. Fakes tend to have lower production standards.
Small nicks and slight wear are acceptable in genuine antique majolica. But major damage like large cracked areas or missing chunks indicate a lower value piece. When examining condition, consider the age and rarity of the pottery.
Imitations
Majolica pottery is often confused with Delftware and Faience pottery, which have some similarities but are distinct styles. Delftware originated in the Netherlands and was made of earthenware covered with an opaque white tin glaze. Its designs were painted in blue or sometimes purple and yellow. Faience also features a white glaze but is made from softer earthenware and often has simpler designs.
While Majolica features brighter multicolor designs painted directly on the glaze, Delftware and Faience tend to have a more limited color palette painted under the glaze. Majolica also stands out for its relief molding and intricate shaping not typically seen in Delftware and Faience pieces. The vibrancy and precision of Majolica’s colors and designs set it apart from other tin-glazed pottery styles. While some imitation Majolica exists, an authentic piece will have a level of color saturation, design complexity, and decorative shaping that distinguishes it from its lookalikes.
According to French Garden House, newer imitation Majolica “won’t have the same careful potting, modeling, glazing or hand-painted designs” as authentic antique Majolica (https://frenchgardenhouse.com/2019/06/05/say-hello-to-authentic-majolica/). Key indicators are poorly executed designs, sloppy painting, and lower quality materials and craftsmanship compared to original pieces. Evaluating the overall artistry and execution is important in identifying authentic Majolica pottery.
Notable Manufacturers
Some of the most famous and sought after Majolica pottery came from Italian manufacturers like Ginori and Cantagalli:
Ginori was founded in 1735 and became one of the premier Italian Majolica manufacturers. Located in Sesto Fiorentino, the Ginori factory produced high quality tableware and figural sculptures using distinctive designs and elaborate decorative motifs. Their pottery often featured intricate scrolling patterns and detailed figural scenes inspired by history and mythology. Ginori Majolica is known for its exceptionally bright and vivid glazes in shades of cobalt blue, emerald green, yellow, and orange.
Cantagalli was established in Florence in 1878. While they initially focused on large terra cotta sculptures, by the early 1900s they had shifted to producing Majolica pottery. Cantagalli Majolica stood out for its neo-Renaissance style designs depicting historical and biblical scenes. Their pottery was often marked by embossed textures, relief molding, and ornate decorative elements covered in brilliant matte glazes. They excelled at lifelike figural sculptures in addition to vases, plates, and other ornamental wares.
Value
Many factors impact the value and collectibility of majolica pottery pieces. Some key considerations include age, condition, maker’s marks, shape, size, decorative details, and rarity.
In general, the oldest majolica pieces from the 1850s tend to be the most valuable. Value also depends heavily on condition – chips, cracks, and repairs can significantly decrease worth. Intact pieces in excellent condition command higher prices. Backstamps and markings from renowned manufacturers like Minton, George Jones, Wedgwood, and Griffin Smith & Hill help date pieces and indicate finer quality and craftsmanship.
Beyond age and condition, decorative details affect value. More ornate, hand-painted designs in rich colors on a lustrous glaze are most desirable. Rare shapes like baskets and chargers tend to cost more. Larger platters, tureens, and vases also fetch higher prices than common plates and cups. And of course, one-of-a-kind pieces and harder to find patterns have added appeal to serious collectors.
Summary
Majolica pottery is distinctive for its rich glazes in bright colors and decorative designs. The lead glaze has a crackled finish and opaque white background that contrasts with vivid floral motifs, foliage, fruits, scrolls, and imagery inspired by the Renaissance. Majolica pieces are often functional wares like plates, pitchers, tureens, and vases rather than sculptures. They can be identified by their shapes inspired by natural forms and backstamps from renowned manufacturers. Quality majolica has finely painted decorations and a smooth glazed surface. While some mass-produced imitations exist, authentic majolica from renowned makers can be quite valuable. The key characteristics to identify true majolica are the specialized lead glazes, ornate designs, natural shapes, markings, and overall high craftsmanship. When all these indicators are present, majolica pottery can be appreciated for its artistic mastery and beauty.
