Antique English Majolica Leaf Dishes (2)

A charming set of 2 antique Majolica Leaf Dishes with beautiful turquoise hues. The coloration of these plates is absolutely stunning! They are in very good condition with no cracks, minute paint chips around the perimeter, commensurate with age. Although unmarked, these are likely early Minton brand pieces. You will adore these English Majolica leaf dishes for your collection or for your home. Each plate measures: 8 inches in length x 6 inches wide.

A Brief History of Majolica:
What was once considered an affordable option for middle class families in England, this earthenware ceramic was coined “majolica” after the refined tin-glazed maoilica of the Italian Renaissance. The English company, Minton, lead by Herbert Minton, kick-started this affordable ceramic option. Majolica soon became a hit, and many prestigious companies such as George Jones and Sons, began to compete against Minton in the production of Majolica. Ironically, George Jones is a Minton alum; a glorified rebel of sorts, with entrepreneurial aspirations that led to his success.

Majolica is known for its lustrous glaze and brilliant hues that run together, producing a watercolor effect. Another interesting trait of Majolica is that it is typically shaped to make sense of the dish being served; oyster plates with oyster wells for housing oysters, asparagus platters for cradling vegetables, and so forth. Notable artists and sculptors contributed to the production of these animated earthenware ceramics. Animals and botany were of typical interest, incorporated into the design of most Majolica pieces. After discovering the production of majolica was toxic due to the lead-based glazes, laws were put in place to limit its use, and production fizzled in the early 1900s.