What Is Majolica Pottery?

If you're a collector, chances are you're constantly on the lookout for new pieces to add to your trove of antique treasures. Next time you're perusing an estate sale or sifting through your local flea market, keep your eyes peeled for majolica pottery. The glazed earthenware has been around since the 15th century, but it has become increasingly popular in modern homes thanks to its bold patterns and rich colors. Available in a range of sizes, you'll find pieces of majolica pottery as small as salt cellars or as large as life-size herons, fawns, and bear cubs.

What Is Majolica Pottery?

Majolica is a richly colored, heavy clay pottery that is coated with enamel, ornamented with paints, and finally glazed. While it has a long history, the pieces that today's collectors most commonly covet are quirky Victorian English wares awash in mosses, water lilies, ducks, herons, and reeds. In addition to its bold patterns, the earthenware is known for being colorful. Items ranging from plates to pitchers are coated in lustrous ochers and chocolates, as well as a full range of greens.

The History of Majolica Pottery

The first pieces of majolica pottery were made during the 15th century on the Spanish island of Majorca—said to be once known as Majolica. Later, the tin-glazed earthenware was crafted in Italy and France (where it was known as faenza and faience, respectively, after the Italian city of Faenza, famous for its pottery). In the 19th century, artisans began creating majolica pottery in England with the patterns and colors that are widely recognized today.

How to Collect Majolica Pottery

Majolica is highly collectible in the United States and Britain, but it's also extraordinarily pricey. This is especially true of pieces manufactured by Wedgwood, Minton, and George Jones from 1850 to 1900. For example, a pair of Minton garden seats can bring as much as $60,000. Luckily, 19th-century French, German, Austrian, and American majolica is often considerably less expensive.

If you're a new collector of majolica pottery, it's ideal to seek out pieces that are both beautiful and useful, says Philip English, president of the Majolica International Society, based in New York City. Luckily, that isn't hard to do since most majolica is functional, says English.

New collectors should be on the lookout for American plates and pitchers, many of which can be found for $250 or less, says Joan Stacke Graham, veteran collector and coauthor of Majolica: A Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey. "It's just as beautiful as English majolica and a wonderful complement to a folk art collection," she says.