Antique Majolica Pottery

by

Jamesrobinson123

As early as the 13th century, Spain exported its tin-glazed pottery to Italy by Majorcan seagoing traders from the port of Majolica, hence the name “Majolica”. Antique Majolica Pottery became popular in many other European counties in the latter half of the 19th century. Majolica pottery was derived from Chinese porcelain. It is now most associated with Italy, but there are many different styles of Majolica from many periods and countries. Due to it’s competitive price most households could afford the wonderful Majolica pottery.

The early pieces of Majolica pottery were decorated mostly with arabesques, flowers or birds. By the early sixteenth century, Majolica pottery started getting decorated with human forms depicting mythological themes. Decorations are often in relief and are part of the mold itself. The natural themes seen in Majolica pottery include flowers, birds, sea creatures, fruit, vegetables, leaves, and mythical creatures, to name a few. Majolica pottery also comes in a wide variety of forms, such as plates, bowls, jugs, jars, pitchers, vases, tiles, figures and many more. Majolica pottery was often formed in unusual or whimsical shapes of snakes, lizards, fish, shells or other marine life and painted in bright colors of blue, green and gold. The brilliant colors and shapes of Majolica pottery make it unique. Antique Majolica pottery was madefrom earthenware clay. Antique Majolica pottery is heavier and sturdier than the modern majolica pottery. Most of the antique Majolica pottery pieces ofutilitarian nature are put to use mostly as jardinires, umbrella stands, pitchers, teapots and a variety of food containers. The designs of antique Majolica pottery often include animals, leaf shapes, fruit, and vegetable forms. The antique Majolica pottery items lacked in hallmark signs since the Majolica pottery was mass produced. Antique Majolica pottery was made by molding it into a unique three dimensional form. The antique Majolica pottery piece was then hand painted in different colors. The antique Majolica pottery piece was then either tin or lead glazed and fired at a very high temperature. The Victorian antique Majolica pottery was usually modeled with fruit, flowers or figures. The piece was fired, then glazed with an opaque glaze containing tin or lead. When this glaze dried, bright glazes were applied to the design and the piece was fired. The result was a product unique to the 19th century. A combination of the tin or lead glaze, and increased firing temperature, produced a glass like glaze on the antique Majolica pottery bringing out the best of colors on the antique Majolica pottery piece. However, this process made the antique Majolica pottery brittle and prone to chipping. French potters produced remarkably delicate and well made Majolica. Some antique Majolica pottery was well marked while others can be identified as French by the colors. Interiors of the French antique Majolica pottery of the period tend to be teal blue, deep red or occasionally brown. Antique Majolica pottery serves many practical uses as the following: The Deruta antique Majolica pottery for dinnerware: The most beautiful of practical Majolica is the Deruta antique Majolica pottery for dinnerware. Deruta antique Majolica pottery for dinnerware is Italys best school of Majolica. Deruta is in Perugia and Perugia was the epicenter of Majolica production from 1550-1600 Good quality Deruta can be cost-prohibitive. You can find excellent Deruta at on- and offline auctions, estate sales, and flea markets. Check carefully for chips, fissures, or signs of previous repair Deruta antique Majolica pottery for dinnerware with the Orvieto rooster pattern has long been considered lucky, encouraging fertility and success in business The Decorative antique Majolica pottery: Some antique Majolica pottery is specifically made for display as wall plates, statues and statuettes, and tables Many antique Majolica pottery serve a double duty, like the Ricco Deruta wall clock for decoration and for showing time The Palissy antique Majolica pottery: Named after the French painter who first designed it, Bernard Palissy, Palissy Majolica features three-dimensional design themes taken directly from nature Palissy is the most notable in French Majolica, known as faience Antique Majolica tiles: Antique Majolica tiles are meant to be displayed on a picture stand or framed and hung on the wall Antique Majolica tiles feature roses, fleur-de-lys, water lilies and daisies Antique Majolica pottery piece can add just the right ambiance to almost any room. Reproductions of antique Majolica pottery pieces are hard to distinguish from the genuine antique Majolica pottery pieces. So, when buying antique Majolica pottery pieces remember that: The antique Majolica pottery piecesas a rule areheavy so always pick the item up, and weigh it out The genuine antique Majolica pottery pieces are colored Since antique Majolica pottery pieces were not hallmarked, it is smart to have a written guarantee Crazing is a network of very fine cracks in the glaze of the antique Majolica pottery pieces. It represents normal aging beyond fifty years, indicating its antiquity

Alhambra Antiques specializes in

Antique majolica

, also known as barbotine, representing all of the major French factories. We hope you enjoy our majolica collection.

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