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.
Victorian Majolica Jardiniere Renaissance Minton, circa 1876
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Classical style for this large Majolica jardiniere or table centre signed Minton and dated 1876 cherubs handles and masks on each side of Renaissance Revival. On the middle of 19th c...
Majolica, Ceramic
English Victorian Blue Majolica Nautilus Shell Pot
By Minton
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian large blue Majolica porcelain jardiniere of nautilus shell shape raised on a leafy form pedestal base (signed MINTON, 1873)
Maiolica
Pair of Minton Aesthetic Movement Tiled Jardinieres with Lily of the Valley
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This pair of jardinieres is made of 19th century Mintons porcelain tiles which have been mounted into later constructed jardinieres. The tiles are all matching, each one decorated with lily of the valley floral motifs. Beautifully detailed constructed beaded boxes, frame these Aesthetic Movement tiles...
Porcelain
Victorian Antique Majolica Jardinière of the Four Seasons by Minton
By Minton
Located in London, GB
Victorian antique Majolica jardinière of the Four Seasons by Minton English, c. 1905 Measures: Height 39cm, diameter 32cm This charact...
Majolica
Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Jardinière
Located in New Orleans, LA
For the serious collector of Art Nouveau, a charming and unique antique French Art Nouveau majolica jardinière with lovely hand painted natural decoration, rolled scalloped edge and ...
Faience, Majolica, Pottery
$950
H 8 in W 14 in D 9 in
Beautiful Large Portuguese Ceramic Nautilus Shell Pottery Planter Flower Pot
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Eye catching large white ceramic flower pot planter in the shape of a lovely nautilus shell.
Ceramic
19th century pair of terracotta planters / jardinieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elevate your garden or interior space with this exquisite pair of 19th-century terracotta planters, expertly crafted in France. Each planter showcases intricate detailing and a timel...
Terracotta
English Victorian Three-Tier Demilune Wire Garden Plant Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A charming English late Victorian era three-tier garden plant stand etagere or jardinière. The stand is constructed in a three-tier "wedding cake" profile with flared basket shelves ...
Iron, Wire
Royal Doulton Egyptian Revival Porcelain Jardinière
By Royal Doulton
Located in Stamford, CT
Royal Doulton jardinière made during the Egyptian Revival period.
Porcelain
Pair of 1920s French Cast Iron Jardinieres with Original Purple Paint
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of unique round cast iron jardinieres attributed to Deville & Cie of Charleville, France. The casting has a floral detail. There is drainage below for permanent planting.
Iron
Huge Minton Majolica Vase
By Minton
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1870, by Minton, England. A gorgeous example of English porcelain, this monumental vase is a Victorian Aesthetic movement tour de force. Majolica by Minton is known for its del...
Porcelain
Large Majolica Orchid Cache Pot Fives Lille, circa 1890
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica cache pot in two parts decorated with orchids Fives Lille, circa 1890. H / 9.5 inches , D / 10.5 inches. Rare size.
Ceramic
Majolica Nautical Jardiniere Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
19th century, large Majolica Nautical jardinière signed Onnaing, the feets are dolphins and the front is decorated with boats on the sea, the handles are anchors.
Ceramic
$6,800
H 18 in W 21 in D 27 in
19th Century Monumental Majolica Oak Leaves Cache Pot Planter Sarreguemines
By Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th century monumental majolica oak leaves cache pot planter signed Sarreguemines number 1649.
Ceramic, Faience
Majolica Jardinière Leaves and Snake Johann Maresch, circa 1880
By Johann Maresch
Located in Austin, TX
A naturalist Majolica jardinière with different kind of leaves, large ferns leaves, a branch on the front and a nest with birds threatened by a snake signed Johann Maresch (1821-1914...
Majolica, Ceramic
Impressive English Majolica Jardinière on Pedestal
By Wardle Majolica
Located in Norwood, NJ
Victorian English Majolica jardinière on pedestal, Wardle signed. Of impressive size.
Ceramic, Pottery
Minton Majolica 'Naturalist' Jardiniere by W.S Coleman
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jardinière which features illustrated flora and fauna, including: a cockerel, a kingfisher (bird), a flowering magnolia, a lobster claw, swallows, a bee, insects and ...
Earthenware
Neoclassical Style Blue Majolica Planter by Minton
By Minton
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style blue Majolica planter by Minton English, c. 1852 Measures: height 37.5cm, width 49cm, depth 42cm This superb planter is crafted i...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Bamboo Planter & Stand
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica planter and stand which features bamboo cane-effect sides, bound together with green ribbon. Brown ground version. Coloratio...
Earthenware
Sold
H 19.25 in W 13.25 in D 21 in
Large Antique Minton Yellow Majolica Shell on Seaweed Jardinière or Planter
By Minton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This enormous yellow majolica figural shell jardinière was made by the renowned Minton's factory of England in approximately 1850 in the period Victorian style. This large and substantial planter is done in a very vivid yellow with brown undertones which accentuate the details. The shell is formed on a base of a seaweed or sea grass covered rock with the same brown underglaze which highlight the cracks and crevices. There are a few spots of minor scuffs to the glaze, but this very large antique majolica...
Majolica
Minton Majolica 'Naturalist' jardinière by W.S Coleman
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jardinière which features illustrated flora and fauna, including: a partridge, corn & barley, swallows, a bee, a bullfinch on a blossoming branch and flowers. Artist ...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Vase Supported by Three Merboys
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica vase which features 3 merboys supporting a shell vase. Turquoise ground version. Coloration: turquoise, green, cream, are predomin...
Earthenware
Minton Majolica Vase Supported By Three Merboys
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica vase which features 3 merboys supporting a shell vase. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, green, cream, are pre...
Earthenware
Minton Majolica Neptune Jardinière
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica vase which features two mermen (probably Sea God Neptune). Colouration: cobalt blue, brown, cream, are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Earthenware
Victorian Majolica Lily Jardinière Minton, circa 1860
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Victorian Majolica jardinière white pond lily blossoms with pink edge signed Minton, circa 1860.
Ceramic
Victorian Turquoise Majolica Jardiniere Renaissance Minton, circa 1876
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Classical style for this large Majolica jardiniere or table centre signed Minton and dated 1876 cherubs handles and masks on each side of Ren...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Faun and Acorn Jardinière
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jardinière which features fauns and lion head masks. Coloration: Cobalt blue, green, pink, are predominant. The piece bears ...
Minton Majolica Snake Jardinière
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jardinière which features two snakes with their tails entwined forming the handles. Cobalt blue ground version. Coloration: Pink, ochre...