People are always asking me why I like majolica.
I first heard the term "majolica" in 1984 when I was working in a small French housewares shop in Philadelphia. It was an extraordinary little store that combined the latest in contemporary housewares with charming and unique European merchandise and antiques collected by the owner for sale at the store. Periodically, the owner would take shopping trips to Europe to bring interesting inventory to the store. One summer, she brought back a number of contemporary dessert wares from France that she called "majolica." It fascinated me by its quaintness and bright colors.
I first heard the term "majolica" in 1984 when I was working in a small French housewares shop in Philadelphia. It was an extraordinary little store that combined the latest in contemporary housewares with charming and unique European merchandise and antiques collected by the owner for sale at the store. Periodically, the owner would take shopping trips to Europe to bring interesting inventory to the store. One summer, she brought back a number of contemporary dessert wares from France that she called "majolica." It fascinated me by its quaintness and bright colors.
Sarreguemines majolica fruit plate
Yours truly at work in 1984
Have you ever noticed how often you hear a new word once you've learned it? This happened to me with majolica. After seeing the dessert wares at the shop I started to notice majolica everywhere; in gift shops, in antiques shops, at department stores. I began to see it wherever I went and became more and more intrigued by it. Aside from the colors, the whimsical nature of the ware attracted me. I saw teapots shaped like cauliflowers, dishes shaped like leaves and pedestals shaped like dolphins.
I was hooked.
I was hooked.
I began speaking with dealers and collectors who specialized in in it— learning from them, looking at the things they bought and things they didn’t. I read books, spoke to their authors, went to antiques stores and antiques shows. I learned everything I could before buying. It wasn't long before I bought my first piece, a begonia leaf dish at an antiques show in a mall.
Twenty-five years later it still fascinates me. The huge volume of it made in the last half of the 19th century has made every majolica search a new lesson to learn. I have seen hundreds of thousands of pieces over the years yet I am still regularly surprised by things I've never seen before.
It's a passion, a teacher, an addiction and a hobby.
Oh, and it's pretty to look at too!
Twenty-five years later it still fascinates me. The huge volume of it made in the last half of the 19th century has made every majolica search a new lesson to learn. I have seen hundreds of thousands of pieces over the years yet I am still regularly surprised by things I've never seen before.
It's a passion, a teacher, an addiction and a hobby.
Oh, and it's pretty to look at too!
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