About Menton French Majolica (Barbotine) Trompe L'oeil Wall Plaque on a turquoise ground with oranges molded in high relief, circa 1880, with impressed mark for Eugene Perret-Gentil, diameter 8 inches. Generally referred to as "Menton," these rare pieces of Barbotine (French Majolica) were commemorative souvenirs for wealthy Victorians visiting the French Rivera. For 30 years we have been among the world's preeminent specialists in fine antique majolica Book reference: Maryse Bottero, "Barbotines de la Côte d’Azur" Paris: Massin Editeur Publishers, 2002, pp. 202-208.
About Longchamps French Majolica Barbotine Menton 12.5" wall plaque, circa 1880, with high relief-molded 3-dimensional pears, blossoms, leaves and branch. Literature: Les Barbotines by Pierre Faveton, Paris: Editions Ch. Massin, p. 65 (color illustration). For over 28 years we have been among the Nation’s preeminent specialists in fine antique majolica.
Sarreguemines Majolica Smoking Stand, molded and applied with an artiste de rue with his dog, and holding a wine bottle with an overturned wine glass below; the humidor formed as a cobalt glazed drum with a sign stating in French that the performer is on break due to indisposition (drunkenness in this case), the lid with a pair of symbols and drum stick forming the knop handle, the dog wearing a hat with a comical expression indicating his long-suffering nature. The bottom glazed in turquoise with impressed mark 'SARREGUEMINES' ca. 1880 BOOK REFERENCE: Pierre Faveton, LES BARBOTINES. Paris: Massin Editeur, 1990, p. 46. less
Sarreguemines Majolica Smoking Stand, molded and applied with an artiste de rue with his dog, and holding a wine bottle with an overturned wine glass below; the humidor formed as a cobalt glazed drum with a sign stating in French that the performer is on break due to indisposition (drunkenness in this case), the lid with a pair of symbols and drum stick forming the knop handle, the dog wearing a hat with a comical expression indicating his long-suffering nature. The bottom glazed in turquoise with impressed mark 'SARREGUEMINES' ca. 1880 BOOK REFERENCE: Pierre Faveton, LES BARBOTINES. Paris: Massin Editeur, 1990, p. 46. less
Sarreguemines Majolica Smoking Stand, molded and applied with an artiste de rue with his dog, and holding a wine bottle with an overturned wine glass below; the humidor formed as a cobalt glazed drum with a sign stating in French that the performer is on break due to indisposition (drunkenness in this case), the lid with a pair of symbols and drum stick forming the knop handle, the dog wearing a hat with a comical expression indicating his long-suffering nature. The bottom glazed in turquoise with impressed mark 'SARREGUEMINES' ca. 1880 BOOK REFERENCE: Pierre Faveton, LES BARBOTINES. Paris: Massin Editeur, 1990, p. 46. less
Sarreguemines Majolica Smoking Stand, molded and applied with an artiste de rue with his dog, and holding a wine bottle with an overturned wine glass below; the humidor formed as a cobalt glazed drum with a sign stating in French that the performer is on break due to indisposition (drunkenness in this case), the lid with a pair of symbols and drum stick forming the knop handle, the dog wearing a hat with a comical expression indicating his long-suffering nature. The bottom glazed in turquoise with impressed mark 'SARREGUEMINES' ca. 1880 BOOK REFERENCE: Pierre Faveton, LES BARBOTINES. Paris: Massin Editeur, 1990, p. 46. less
Menton French Majolica (Barbotine) Trompe L'oeil Wall Plaque on a turquoise ground with lemons molded in high relief, circa 1880, 8-inches diameter. Generally referred to as "Menton," these rare pieces of Barbotine (French Majolica) were commemorative souvenirs for wealthy Victorians visiting the French Rivera. For 30 years we have been among the world's preeminent specialists in fine antique majolica Book reference: Maryse Bottero, BARBOTINES de la Côte d’Azur. Paris: Massin Editeur Publishers, 2002, pp. 202-208. less
About This colorful, antique water pitcher was crafted in Northern France, circa 1880. The jug, titled "Cochon au Jambon" (pig with ham), features a pig sculpture with a laurel leaf crown carrying a ham, and embellished with a sausage link handle. The figure has wonderful facial expressions and a unique shape. The playful pitcher is in excellent condition and has rich colors throughout including a tan skin tone and green details. The farm animal subject matter is a Classic motif of French country style. A similar piece is pictured in the book "Pichets en Barbotines" by Maryse Bottero page 83. (See last two pictures). The Onnaing Faiencerie was founded in Onnaing, France, in 1821 by Charles de Bousies. During the second half of the 19th century, the Mouzin brothers bought the factory and ran it until the factory closed in 1938. It was nearly destroyed by the Germans during World War I, but production restarted in 1921. The factory made mostly Majolica pitchers and planters. Onnaing designs included flowers, geometric patterns and famous historical figures, among others. Each design had a number and a corresponding model name. The marks “Frie Onnaing” and “Made in France” indicate that it was made after World War I. Best known among Onnaing Majolica are his pitchers with pigs or roosters. Measures: 8" W x 4.5" D x 8.25" H.
LE FAOUÊT , PAYSANNE BRETONNE DEVANT UN TAS DE CHOU , CHARLES LHERMITTE 1881-1945.ÉMILE BERNARD et URBAIN DUBOIS furent durant de longue années aux service de nobles de l’est ( russe et…
Perhaps it is strange for a 33 year-old male to be interested in exuberantly-decorated Victorian ceramics, but I've never been typical. Majo...
Belgium plate, made in the manufacture of Wasmuel in Belgium in the late 19th century. This manufacture was known of its speciality of barbotines. It was opened between mid 19 th century and mid 20th century. This naive scene represents a boy and a girl playing swing in a garden, with in the background a hilly landscape where appears a mill. Shipping: 19.5 / 19.5 / 3 cm
Bring the legendary slushie machine into your home! This classic slushie machine replica has been specially designed to look like the real the real thing. Simply add your favourite Icee syrup or similar, turn the machine on, then pour out your ice-cold slushies.
Majolica jardinière with pink and purple flowers signed Onnaing, circa 1900.
Perhaps it is strange for a 33 year-old male to be interested in exuberantly-decorated Victorian ceramics, but I've never been typical. Majolica is a secret obsession of mine and I can't believe it's taken me so long to blog about it. I'm far too poor to collect it (pieces can go as high as $70,000 and many of the most prized are locked in museums) but I am wise enough to admire it. What makes it so prized is that many of the pieces were original and handmade, involving hours of design. Majolica pieces are viewed today more like artistic creations than everyday pottery. Majolica mania began in 1851 in London when Herbert Minton delighted the public with a stunning display of new, jewel-toned earthenware, inspired to a large extent by the French and Italian maiolica of the Renaissance and later. Majolica, named after the Spanish island of Majorca, where the first examples of this pottery were said to have been created in the fifteenth century, is defined by the process of its formation as much as by its fantastical designs. It is heavy, richly-coloured clay pottery that is coated with enamel, ornamented with paints and finally glazed. Its primary allure, however, lies in its peculiar and endearing designs. It is fearlessly inspired by nature, often boldly decorated with three-dimensional animals, flowers and vegetables in unusual shapes and dimensions. The Victorian English, with their love of all things natural and unusual, quickly filled their dining rooms, parlours, conservatories and gardens with majolica ewers, candelabras, urns, pitchers, fountains and garden seats all glistening in cobalt, turquoise, lavender, gold and every shade of green known to Mother Nature. Other potters in England, such as Wedgwood, George Jones and Holdcroft, followed Minton's example and offered their own highly-prized majolica collections. Americans, too, caught on and manufactured majolica beginning in the 1890s. Below is some imagery from an article on Majolica that ran in the March, 2005, issue of Martha Stewart Living and from the book Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey. It may not be love at first sight but I hope you eventually become smitten with these charming creations. All the components of an English tea service are arranged on these shelves: creamers, pitchers, teapots, jars and serving plates. Teapots, especially those decorated with monkeys and serpents, are highly prized by collectors. The one formed by a monkey hugging a coconut (top shelf) is by Minton. On the center shelves are rare tea cups, once part of a larger service. Majolica teacups usually had vibrant hot-pink or turquoise interiors. The cabbage teapot with the snaky handle and spout (bottom shelf) is Portugese. The bamboo plate next to it is especially rare. Majolica wares filled every requirement of the Victorian table. The scaloped, speckled tiers and the ferny cup at the apex of this ice stand held shaved ice and sweet sauces. A wonderful survival, this huge Minton majolica jardiniere was undoubtedly made for a Victorian conservatory. With a base plate that's sixteen inches across, and its cheerful decoration, it easily accommodated potted palms or tall bamboo plants. Many Majolica plates depict the food that is meant to be served upon them. (Be careful not to serve food on vintage Majolica platters, since the glazes likely contain lead.) Left row, from top down: a leaf-shaped plate, a lotus blossom plate - for ambrosia, perhaps - and corn-shaped pitchers, possibly American. Center row from top down: A corn platter, pear clusters adorning a brown dessert platter, a bread plate is marked by a starburst of wheat, a plate decorated with grapes. Right row from top down: A banana-leaf fruit plate, a berry plate, a strawberry plate adorned with leaves and flowers. A dome of hay adorned by blackberry branches rests atop a woody-looking base. Lifting the dome in Victorian times would likely have revealed a glorious piece of stilton. Minton designed this incredible game-pie dish. It is from 1877. Whimsical but classic at the same time, its rich hues, animalistic designs and bold proportions are characteristic of traditional majolica. These pieces by George Jones & Sons were part of an extensive Calla Lily pattern, circa 1873. I love the lounging cow on top of the cheese bell. This casserole dish, also by George Jones & Sons from 1880 features an elaborate but placid forest scene, complete with rabbits and a nesting dove, which doubles as the lid's handle. I love this pair of vases, which look glamorous even without any cut flowers to fill them. They are by Massier at Golfe Juan and date to 1890. This Minton ice stand from 1865 is more than 16 inches in diameter and over a foot tall. A beautiful pair of urns by George Jones & Sons, circa 1875. This book by Marilyn Karmason, published in 1989, remains the 'bible' on collecting majolica. It is out of print, sadly, but is still widely available in used condition. I treasure my copy! It is filled with in-depth history about each of the world's majolica makers and traces the rich history of this incredible form of pottery with plenty of visual reference.
Majolica is a term applied to Italian pottery originating during the Renaissance period of the 1400s-1500s in southern Europe. Majolica actually came to Italy via glazed products from Spain which were shipped from the port of Majorca. By the late 15th century several small cities in northern and central Italy were producing colorful majolica pieces for wealthy clients in Italy. In 16th century France, self-taught French potter, Bernard Palissy, reformulated the Renaissance tin glazes and began decorating majolica serving pieces with odd creatures such as snakes, lizards and crustaceans. The French called it Palissy ware. About 1850, Herbert Minton of the famous English porcelain factory began imitating the process used by Palissy. Minton first displayed majolica to the public in London at the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851 and as they say "the crowd went wild". The name majolica replaced Palissy ware and soon colorful majolica would be mass-produced in Britain, Europe, and the US. Only the advent of Art Nouveau ended the majolica trend and it's popularity did not return until the 1980's which was when I had my collection. Even though I sold my collection I still admire these fun, colorful, and appealing pieces of majolica and would encourage anyone to consider collecting a few. Majolica is definitely a little kitsch and certainly not serious art. However you could say its warmth, whimsy, and decoration is worth the trouble. It is FUN! via Pinterest Majolica is a great way to add color and vibrancy to any interior space. But beware....many are addicted to majolica and there is little chance for recovery. via Pintrest There are so many wonderful and varied Majolica items to collect. From pitchers, teapots, and cheese dishes, to serving pieces and jardinières, the list goes on and on. rafaelosonaauction.com Majolica is a soft-bodied earthenware, distinguished by the use of a lead glaze to which tin ashes have been added, that accepts a variety of colors - blues, greens, yellows, oranges, and purples. Kathryn Greeley Designs Believe me you will definitely find something of interest to collect in the majolica line. Most people just collect it all! images via Pinterest Majolica was at its height of popularity from the 1850's through the mid-1880's. Colorful majolica designs had rustic motifs with backgrounds of basketry and foliage decorated with rose stems and twined flowers, vines, and leaves. Handles were made like rustic tree branches. Fanciful birds, fish and animals adorned unexpected places. lisalubyryan.com Throughout England, highly decorated and texturally pleasing majolica objects were the perfect complement to a Victorian home’s décor. Today it is sought after again for the modern English style interiors.......but thankfully is held in restraint. frenchgardenhouse.com The combination of Victorian romanticism and naturalism provided the incentive for creating elements of the natural world in majolica ceramics. Kinderhook Auction Company Leaf themed majolica pieces are probably the most popular for collectors because of their affordability although some an still be expensive. via Pinterest More colorful, fanciful Majolica. Any piece adds texture and character to your interior. Karen E Keysar Interiors Inc Majolica From Trilogy Antiques These botanical themes still delight and amaze collectors. Butter pats are fun small items to collect. commonground-do.com Colorful majolica pieces with floral and fruit themes were also very popular. skinnerinc.com These majolica pieces became a big hit with the socialites during the Victorian collecting frenzy. I especially like French Barbotine majolica which has more of a dimensional look. Usually flowers, fruits, and animals would be applied separately from the body and covered with majolica glazes. The one piece I kept from my collection is Barbotine and is a basket with flowers and cherries attached. Images via Pinterest The French were particularly adept at this kind of trompe-l'oeil decoration and used it extensively on majolica. George Jones & Sons The majolica pitchers and vases with leaves, ferns and vines are great containers for charming floral arrangements. messynessychic.com Some majolica was influenced by the design of the old "Cauliflower" teapots made by Thomas Whieldon, Wedgwood, and other 18th-century Staffordshire potters. Both English and American majolica potters reproduced the "Cauliflower" pattern as well as other raised fruits and vegetables. dirksoulisauctions.com Turn of the century French majolica asparagus pieces were trendy then and are highly popular today as well. 1stdibs.com Charles Darwin’s, On The Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection, also fueled the fascination with the natural world during the Victorian era. Here in designer Alberto Pinto's home you can see his collection of lizard, snake, crustaceans and fish plates and platters that were all the rage at the time. antiquesandthearts.com There was a boom in naturalistic pottery, often with an element of whimsy, to which colorful majolica was well suited. 1stDibs.com Victorian majolica collecting became an interior design statement. Conservatories were becoming fashionable and they were adorned with spectacular majolica garden seats, flower pots, jardinières, large birds and animals figures. Majolica was EVERYWHERE! all images via Pinterest But the Victorians could not restrain themselves and left a plethora of majolica animals scratching their heads as to why nobody wanted them anymore. The Victorians (as was typical) had overdone the majolica trend and some of the wares created during this time eventually became thought of as tacky. By the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, majolica production was at an end. Poshchicago The 1980's revival saw many of us being introduced to majolica and the treasure hunt was on again for this colorful collectible. We treated it much classier that the Victorians but it was eventually replaced by minimalism. via Pinterest Today's collectors masterfully arrange majolica groupings in beautiful cupboards. via Pinterest NancysDailyDish (@nancysdailydish) on Instagram: Look at all the beautiful colors! pamkelley.com Majolica pairs well with English Staffordshire figures. See my blog on Staffordshire at https://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2019/01/decorating-with-english-staffordshire.html via Pinterest Designer Margaret Chambers lissyparker.com frenchgardenhouse.com Small vignettes throughout the home is a lovely way to display your majolica collection. midwestliving.com Another way to display a majolica collection is by hanging it artfully on a wall. thefrenchtangerine.com Many collectors are partial to greenware. This refers to the green glaze on this style of majolica that emphasizes the low relief patterning, typically of basketwork and foliage. A charming greenware majolica collection artfully displayed in a Charles Faudree interior. tumblr.com Be sure to use your majolica for special occasions as it will cast it's spell on your guests. Don't keep collections behind closed doors! Majolica From Trilogy Antiques One of the reasons colorful majolica serving pieces are fun to collect is how you can use them to liven up a mismatched party table. via Pinterest Bunny Mellon's majolica collection via The Glam Pad via Pinterest Antique French Sarreguemines Majolica. This style majolica was produced in the factories under the direction of Alexandre de Geiger during the 1830's in Sarreguemines which is a town in eastern France. romancingthehomeltd.blogspot.com What a delightful majolica display! Designer Linda Horn's majolica collection via veranda.com For some reason dark browns and greens always come to mind when majolica is first mentioned. However most pieces exhibited pretty colors in shades of aqua, pink, yellow and blue. via Pinterest via Pinterest via Pinterest Imaginative and magical, majolica is an amusing collectible. You never know what you might discover next. skinnerinc.com Colorful pitchers are on the top of my list when it comes to collecting majolica. They are perfect for collections and equally appealing used individually in vignettes. via Pinterest French majolica vase with applied morning glory flowers and 5 birds. Home of Andrea Siwiec via The Glam Pad There are lovely reproductions out the so you can collect antique, reproduction, or a combination of both and create an eye catching space in any room of your house. In any collection, there should be a balance of pieces from high to low quality, diverse in shapes, colors and makers. You might pick up treasure or two by keeping an eye out for it when you are thrifting or at estates auctions and yard sales. Source unknown....please let me know if it is yours! And the reproductions include it all from flowers and leaves to curious fish, fruit, and other living critters. The bottom line is to collect what YOU like because then you will never be disappointed. Here are some tips if you are interested in collecting majolica. REAL majolica was made in the 15th Century , $$$$$$, so forget about that. But it enjoyed a renaissance of its own in the 19th Century, where it graced fashionable Victorian homes. These pieces can still be found at reasonable prices if you get out and treasure hunt. And, of course, it’s still being made today. It is OK to collect the newer pieces just be aware that many reproductions are being passed off as vintage or antique. Just don't want you paying antique prices for reproductions! 1. Check the handles. Real antique majolica handles were applied on the outside. There should be no holes on the inside of the piece that reveal a hollow handle. Look beneath the handle on the outside, as well – some reproductions try to sneak in the firing hole, hoping you won’t notice. 2. Look inside. Even if the color doesn’t extend all the way to the bottom, the interior should be completely glazed. 3. Look on the base. A number can be a good thing. 4. Check out the crazing, (a network of fine cracks on the surface of a material, for example in a glaze layer). Some reproductions have tried to copy the crazing that comes from age and exposure to temperature changes. The repro crazing always looks too uniform and does not have that aged look. Click here to see the previous post https://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2021/06/landscape-with-old-world-style-garden.html This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer In the event that I have not credited the correct source of an image, please contact me at [email protected] and I would be glad to correct it.
