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 Antique Mintons Majolica Oyster Server / Stand with Seaweed & Coral
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English majolica pottery oyster stand or server. By Mintons. With 6 oyster shells strewn around a figural mound of seaweed and coral. The center with two dipping wel...
Majolica
19th Century Minton White Majolica Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Minton white Majolica oyster plate. Dated 1880.
Ceramic
Large Antique Italian Majolica Platter, Bacchus and Ariadne
By Annibale Carracci
Located in Dallas, TX
At over two feet in diameter, this stunning majolica platter or charger, is particularly large. The painted scene painted was taken from a ceiling fresco known as the Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne...
Majolica
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
Minton Majolica Putti Comport
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica compote which features two putti wearing grape vine garlands around their heads, and draped in brown cloth, kneeling on a leafy ground. They support a bowl with a sca...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Chestnut Server with Spoon
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica chestnut server which features chestnuts and chestnut leaves. Unusually, the piece still has it's original brass warmer and spoon. Colouration: green, brown, turquois...
Majolica
$4,950 / set
H 1.5 in Dm 9.75 in
10 French Orchies Faience Majolica Asparagus and Artichoke Plates with Platter
By Orchies
Located in Birmingham, AL
A rare and exceptional 19th century set of 10 majolica glazed French faïence barbotine artichoke and asparagus plates complete with oval shaped master server or platter by Orchies, c...
Majolica, Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
19th Century Wedgwood English Majolica Platter
By Wedgwood
Located in Ross, CA
Antique platter made in England by Wedgwood between 1879 and 1882. The yellow weaved platter is a bonnet shape with ribbon, flowers and bows as feet, it is called the "Kate Greenway"...
Ceramic
Set of Six Longchamp Majolica Oyster Plates, France Circa 1890
By Longchamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This beautiful set of six French majolica oyster plates was produced by the renowned Faïencerie de Longchamp and dates to circa 1890. Designed for serving oysters in the elegant dini...
Faience, Majolica, Ceramic
Minton Majolica Asparagus Server
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica asparagus drainer which features asparagus tips bound together, sat on a rectangular tray. Flowers and geometric patterns to the bor...
Majolica
19th Century Green Majolica Cake Stand Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century oval Majolica cake stand signed Minton.
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Cream Jug with Snail Handle
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica creamer which features a blossoming branch, snail shell on handle and feet. Cobalt blue ground version. Colouration: cobalt blue, gree...
Majolica
Pair of Antique French Majolica Oyster Dishes by Faïencerie de Longchamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a pair of oyster dishes, which are an authentic set of antique French "Terre de Fer" (Ironstone) Majolica oyster plates manufactured by the renowned Faïencerie de Longcha...
Ironstone, Paint
Minton Majolica Chestnut Server
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica chestnut server which features chestnuts and chestnut leaves. Coloration: Green, turquoise, brown, are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Minton Majolica Lily Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, dark pink, white, are predominant.
Majolica
19th c. Italian Majolica Urn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully Decorated Majolica Urn
Ceramic
19th Century English Minton Majolica Oyster Plate
By Minton
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century English Minton Majolica oyster plate, with an aqua blue center well and six mauve pink oyster wells separated by seashells, scallops and green seaweed in relief on bro...
Majolica
19th Century English Majolica Oyster Plate Signed Minton
By Minton
Located in Winter Park, FL
A good English Majolica plate, dated 1885 and marked Minton, with turquoise and cobalt blue oyster plate with a central well surrounded by small ochre flowers. Six small and one larg...
Majolica