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.
Large 19th Century English Staffordshire Ironstone Blue Willow Platter
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique 19th-Century English Staffordshire ironstone transferware platter in the classic Blue Willow pattern. Maker's mark on reverse. This lovely platter is an impressive l...
Ceramic, Ironstone
18th Century French Nevers Blue & White Faience Scalloped Floral Plate
By Nevers
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique 18th-Century French faience Delft influenced scalloped floral plate from Nevers. Hand painted with a charming flower pot center surrounded by draped floral garland b...
Faience
Antique Dutch Delft Makkum Scalloped Lobed Floral Wall Charger Plate, Circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique Dutch Delft faience floral scalloped wall charger plate by Royal Tichelaar Makkum, circa 1920. Maker's mark on reverse. The foot on the back is pierced for hanging...
Delft, Faience
19th Century Dutch Delft Faience Plate by De Klaauw, Hand-Painted
By De Klaauw
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique 19th-Century Dutch Delft faience plate by the De Klaauw factory. Maker's mark on reverse. This lovely plate has a hand painted central floral motif and foliate borde...
Delft, Faience
French Bordeaux Vieillard Blue & White Seaweed Oyster Plate Platter, circa 1890
By Vieillard Manufacture
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely large antique French Bordeaux Vieillard blue & white seaweed oyster plate or platter with nine wells, circa 1890. Maker's mark on reverse. It displays beautifully and would ...
Ceramic
Rare 18th Century Dutch Delft Faience Floral Patterned Lobed Dish Bowl
By Delft
Located in Pearland, TX
A beautiful rare 18th century four-lobed Delft dish, decorated in blue monochrome with flowers and semi-circles in rocaille contours. Marked "V. beek" in blue on reverse.
Delft, Faience
Antique Staffashire Serving plate , Blue& white , 1860, s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large serving plate from England . Blue & White Staffashire .Made by Gibson & Sons around 1860 . This is 16 1/2" long and 12" wide . Has maker marks on the bottom and # 6 ...
Stoneware
19th Century Oversize Blue & White Faience Platter Sarreguemines
By Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th century oversize blue & white Faience Platter signed Sarreguemines, service Francois. Probably a meat platter. Measures: 18 inches by 14 inches.
Ceramic, Faience
Petite Flow Blue Transferware Plate, New Wharf Pottery England, 19th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rare and charming 19th-century English Flow Blue transferware plate, stamped on the base New Wharf Pottery, England, a classic example of historic Staffordshire earthenware with deep cobalt blue decoration and painterly flow. The scenic transfer features an idyllic pastoral motif with architectural structures, trees, and foliage rendered in soft, diffused tones characteristic of fine antique Flow Blue...
Ceramic, Paint
Burgess & Leigh Blue Celeste Chinoiserie Transferware Platter, c.1885
By Burgess & Leigh
Located in Savannah, GA
Oval earthenware platter transfer-printed in blue with chinoiserie garden scene of pagoda, flowering urn, and scrolling floral border, c.1885. Burgess & Leigh (B&L) of Bur...
Earthenware
French 19th Century Large Blue and White Transferware Platter Sarreguemines
By Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th century large blue and white French transferware platter signed Utzschneider & Cie (Sarreguemines) Model Helvetia. Scene with fisherman, cow...
Ceramic, Faience
Antique 19th Century English Regency Pearlware Blue & White Transferware Platter
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 19th century English Regency blue & white transferware platter with sphinx and Greek key decoration. Measures 20" x 16" x 1 3/4". Good condition - a few minor rim frits does ...
Pearlware
