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.
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
$49 / set
W 8 in D 0.6 in L 8 in
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Tiles Hand made by Artisans in Fez Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted reclaimed set of 2 cement tiles with black and white design. These are authentic Moroccan reclaimed encaustic tiles han...
Cement
Encaustic Tiles
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful blue and gray encaustic tiles with borders. We have 150 sq ft of the field and 96 linear ft of the borders. We only sell the entire lot.
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Antique European Encaustic Cement Tiles. Pre-WWII
Located in Baltimore, MD
Encaustic cement tiles were pioneered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and relied on chemical curing rather than traditional firing. This technique had the advantage ...
Cement
Collection of 7 Mixed Victorian Ceramic Tiles 7 Lovely Tiles
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A collection of 7 mixed Victorian ceramic tiles. 7 Lovely tiles in generally good condition, a couple of tiny nibbles only The tiles are 1...
Ceramic
Lot of 500 m² of Antique Cement Tiles – Late 19th Century
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Exceptional lot of approximately 500 square meters of antique cement tiles featuring a richly detailed floral and geometric motif in shades of gray...
Cement
A Collection of Victorian Ceramic Tiles 7 Lovely Tiles
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Collection of Victorian Ceramic Tiles 7 Lovely tiles in generally good condition, a couple of tiny nibbles only The tiles are 6” square and .5” thick AW88
Ceramic
Set of 12 Antique Minton & Co. Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Each tile stamped ‘Minton & Co’ to the reverse. These were originally used as floor tiles. We think they would make a great splash back to a basin. Size as...
Clay
Set of 9 Reclaimed English Encaustic Patterned Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A collection of nine reclaimed English encaustic patterned tiles of unknown maker dating from the late 19th/early 20th century. These antique Victorian 6-inch tiles are of a matching...
Clay
Set of 9 Reclaimed Encaustic Tiles by Maw & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Nine 6-inch reclaimed Maw & Co encaustic tiles (stamped) displaying red and buff patterns surrounding roundels with blue glaze around a central floret. This is just one of various se...
Clay
Set of 36 Reclaimed Mixed Encaustic Tiles by Craven Dunnill & Co And Others
By Craven Dunhill
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of thirty six reclaimed mixed encaustic tiles by Craven Dunnill & Co and other makers. Dating from the mid 19th century, these reclaimed encaustic tiles are a pleasing ble...
Clay
Set of 9 Ecclesiastical Antique English Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking set of nine ecclesiastical antique English encaustic tiles. Stamped with maker's marks to the reverse, this collection includes eight buff and red terracotta tiles in the ...
Clay
Set of 9 Reclaimed Minton & Co Gothic Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant reclaimed gothic encaustic tiles by Minton & Co (stamped), circa 1840- 1860. Each 6-inch tile is detailed with buff and red terracotta tones to create an ornate...
Clay
