| What
is known today as "majolica" utilizes a technique of applying
a tin or lead based enamel on soft, porous earthenware which can
be dated back thousands of years to ancient Persia where it was
used in the construction of mosques and monuments throughout history.
It was first introduced to Europe in the 16th century via the
Spanish Island of Majorca, from whence "majolica" is named. First
adopted by Italian artisans, it thrived during the Renaissance
under the patronage of the Medici family and was soon copied by
the French, Dutch, and eventually England where arguably it was
raised to the highest form. Forms of majolica were produced in
many parts of the world, including Latin America where it was
introduced by the Spaniards as they colonized and explored the
new world. However, most collectors today refer to majolica not
so much for the technique as for the works produced in 19th century
England which have colorful, high gloss glazes. Majolica colors
are very distinctive and used consistently by many manufacturers,
and the designs were often bright and creative. Majolica artisans
used the light color of their clay bodys and hand molding and
modeling to create areas where the glaze would collect more heavily
and coalesce naturally to create unique finishes. As such, the
decorative pattern is part of the clay mold itself. After a first
firing, majolica is then decorated with the bright, metallic glazes
and fired a second time to create its distinctive look.
Victorian majolica is the most highly sought,
produced from the mid 19th century into the very early years of the 20th
century. Majolica of this period can also be recognized by the common themes
repeated in majolica work of this period including leaves, fruit, mythological
figures, lions, birds, lions, rams, and other plants and animals. Oriental
influences also made their way into majolica production, introducing monkeys,
elephants, and more exotic creatures foreign to Europe. Much majolica is
unmarked from this period and must be recognized by specific characteristics
of the manufacturer. However, the best and most highly collected pieces
of English majolica are typically marked and were produced by Minton, Wedgwood,
Royal Worcester, Holdcroft, Lear, and George Jones. American manufacturers
of majolica included Eureka and Chesapeake Potteries and Griffin, Smith,
& Hill; In continental Europe, probably the best known producers were
Sarreguemines, Luneville, and Villeroy & Boch.
Minton majolica tends
to be the most highly collected, first created by Minton art
director Joseph Arnoux in 1848. He patterned his work on ancient
"maiolica" but differs in having a much thicker body and an
opaque white underglaze which was used as a foundation for application
of the more brightly colored glazes forming the actual majolica
decoration. Majolica is often confused with maiolica, a method
of brushing color pigments on an unfired glaze developed in
regions of Italy, Spain, and Persia beginning in the middle
of the 15th century. Maiolica's base glaze is glossy and made
whiter with the addition of tin oxide and firing at very high
temperatures, and it is well suited for ceramics to be finely
decorated with paint. This is different than majolica's use
of free flowing glazes and bodies whose form reflects the design
to coalesce glazes in the desired locations.
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