A look at the design, market and legacy of Victorian pottery

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Majolica Banks

Wherever you find collections of continental majolica you will find majolica banks.

These were very popular in Europe as gifts for children and were manufactured for a very long time. In France there were several manufacturers of these banks: Sarreguemines, Orchies, La Faiencerie d' Onnaing and St. Clement were all known to have manufactured them, some well into the latter part of the 20th Century. They were also manufactured in Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia. Many of the molds used in production for tobacco humidors, bottles and pitchers were adapted for use as banks as well. It is generally these pieces that bring the highest prices.











































While not quite as popular among collectors as humidors, the rules for pricing humidors also apply to banks. Animals are the most popular subject with more colorful and whimsical  subjects commanding the highest prices. Human subjects are less popular among collectors.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The REAL Cost of Reproductions

One of the nice things about writing a blog like this is hearing from readers who share my enthusiasm for majolica.

Earlier today, a reader sent me photos of two pieces she purchased at auction recently asking if the pieces were indeed George Jones majolica as she suspected.

I get photos like these from time to time and more often than not, I end up being the barer of bad news. I usually have to inform the reader that the pieces owned by them are not old majolica but reproductions. I hate being the one to burst the bubble of excitement of the purchaser but it's better to share the truth than allow them to continue ignorant of the facts. In this case, I did indeed need to break the bad news. The two pieces sent to me were British reproductions of George Jones pieces.

The first one was a reproduction of the GJ Quail "Empty Nest" terrine.


The second was a reproduction of the George Jones Calla Lily Jardiniere.


To a seasoned buyer, both of these reproductions are well known but to a beginner just starting to turn a collector's eye to majolica, they are reasonable facsimiles of things they may have seen in books. But are they really?
Neither one of these pieces bear the kinds of phony potter's marks you see in many reproductions made to deceive. Instead they bear simple style numbers. Compared side-by-side with the real thing they really look nothing like the original in any real way, only in the most superficial way. I can only assume that the intention to deceive was not paramount in the maker's mind when these were reproduced. Perhaps they were designed only to offer a reasonable facsimile to people who can't afford the original. In any event, the buyer should have done her homework better but, having made the same kinds of mistakes myself in the distant past, I'm not the one to start pointing fingers. The simple truth is that you learn more from your mistakes than your successes.



So what is the result of buying a reproduction when you think you're buying the real thing?

Well, aside from the financial loss which in certain cases could be severe, there is both a loss of innocence and a loss of enthusiasm. I hate to see things like that. I can still remember my excitement at purchasing my first piece of majolica, a begonia leaf. This person will not have a fond memory like that to look back at like I do. I can only hope it doesn't turn her off to majolica completely. I'd hate to see that happen.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

It's a Dog's Life

Royal Worcester majolica whippet

Man's best friend is clearly also majolica's best friend.

Aside from cats, I can think of no other animal found more frequently in majolica than dogs. The variety is stunning. In everything from inkwells to humidors to plates to pitchers, dogs are everywhere in majolica. In America, England, France and the Continent, dog majolica is easy to be found.

Minton life size dog figure

Minton majolica game dish

Minton majolica desk stand

George Jones majolica desk stand

George Jones majolica card box

George Jones majolica game terrine

Holdcroft dog majolica master salt

Holdcroft majolica pug dog

Wedgwood majolica Punch and Judy tea set

Brown-Westhead Moore ink stand

Brown-Westhead Moore dog figural

Copeland majolica greyhounds

Forester majolica syrup



Choisy-le-Roi majolica doghouse

Continental majolica figure on bench

St. Clement majolica dog head bank

St. Clement majolica terrier dog bank

Dreyfus majolica dog pitcher

Eichwald majolica  dog humidor

German dog bottle
French majolica pitcher

Bulldog majolica canister

St. Clement majolica dog pitcher Gypp

Sarreguemines bulldog pitcher

Austrian bulldog humidor

Austrian bulldog humidor

Austrian majolica spaniel humidor 

Austrian majolica cat and dog humidor

Austrian majolica hound humidor

Austrian anthropomorphic dog humidor


Forester majolica bulldog humidor

Bohemia majolica dog humidor

Unattributed dog planter

Bulldog majolica match striker

Continental majolica dachshund match striker

Continental majolica match striker

Continental majolica bulldog match striker

Continental majolica match striker

Unattributed bulldog majolica pitcher

Majolica humidor

Continental majolica vase

Johan Maresch majolica plate

Continental majolica dog plate

Arsenal Pottery majolica sheepdog plate

Arsenal Pottery sheepdog platter

Arsenal Pottery majolica dog and stag plate

Etruscan Majolica dog plate

Like cats, dog themed majolica always bring a premium price. Expect to pay twice as much for a piece with a dog on it as you would most other animals, but then, who could turn their nose up at one of these wonderful pieces?