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.
Rare Minton Majolica Posy Vase, circa 1875
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Minton Majolica Posy small vase modelled as three upright yellow bamboo canes all supported on an earthy ground.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Pair of Small French Majolica Cache Pots circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Small French Majolica Cache Pots circa 1890. White flowers on a goldenrold background.
Ceramic
Pair of Small French Majolica Cache Pots circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Small French Majolica Cache Pots circa 1890. Flower on a sand background.
Ceramic
Victorian Majolica Bamboo Vase Joseph Holdcroft, circa 1872
By Joseph Holdcroft
Located in Austin, TX
Victorian Majolica bamboo vase Joseph Holdcroft, circa 1872 (marked july 20th 1872) Rare model.
Ceramic
French Majolica Pair of Vases with Painted Flowers Pointu, circa 1880
By Jean Pointu
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pair of vases with painted flowers signed Pointu, circa 1880.
Ceramic
Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900. Decorated with leaves on the top , coat of arms on the base.
Faience
Pair of Villeroy & Boch Figural Majolica Tree Trunk Vases, Germany, c. 1890
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in Hannover, DE
Exceptional pair of late 19th-century figural majolica vases by Villeroy & Boch, Germany, circa 1890, most likely produced at the firm’s Schramberg manufactory. These remarkable...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Paint
Pair of Minton Majolica Spring Daffodil Vases
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Minton Majolica vases which feature daffodils stood on bulb feet. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, green, white, are predominant. The piece bears maker's...
Majolica
Pair of 19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Vases Stamped Lille 1767
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant pair of antique French faience vases was crafted in Lille circa 1850 and reflects the romantic revival of northern France’s celebrated ceramic tradition. Each vessel features a softly waisted baluster form with a gently flared rim and rounded shoulder, raised on a green-glazed circular foot. At 11 inches high, their proportions are more consistent with decorative vases than cachepots, giving them a graceful vertical presence ideal for display. The bodies are richly hand-painted with continuous pastoral and maritime scenes, including fishermen along the shoreline, figures gathered near rustic architecture, and sailing vessels moving across tranquil waters. The landscapes are rendered in soft, atmospheric tones with delicate perspective and careful brushwork, framed by scattered floral bouquets and a warm yellow band beneath the rim adorned with stylized roses and leafy garlands. The painterly treatment and romantic subject matter are characteristic of mid-19th century French revival faience. The glossy tin-glazed surface exhibits fine, even craquelure throughout, consistent with 19th century production. The undersides bear a laurel wreath mark reading “Lille 1767...
Ceramic, Faience
Set of two vases, barbotine, majolica, circa 1910, Art Nouveau, France
By Barbotine
Located in Wien, AT
Set of two handled vases, made of majolica, famous Barbotine, manufactured around 1910 in France. These particularly attractive vases are of exceptional quality and wonderful decor....
Majolica
Pair of vase Porcelain, Valentine, Old Paris, flowers pattern, France 1860
By Old Paris
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Porcelain Pair of Vase Ofs Valentine Old Paris Decor Of Bouquet Of Flowers XIXth Century Manufacture of "Valentine" in Saint-Gaudens. Decorated with a bouq...
Porcelain
Pair of Victorian Porcelain Mantel Vases
Located in Pasadena, CA
Showcase your flowers in our pair of intricately decorated Victorian porcelain mantel vases. They are meticulously adorned with 3 dimensional flowers, leaves and beaded accents and r...
Porcelain
