One of the more unusual areas of collecting among majolica collectors is the majolica bottle. These generally fall into two categories: character bottles and barber bottle decanters.
Character bottles were often originally sold as containers for liqueurs or whiskey and are overwhelmingly German and French in origin. Barber bottles and decanters are usually English in origin.
Character bottles come in two sizes, large and small. The large bottles often have corked lids also made of majolica that fit into the base. They also sometimes have a small opening or spigot for pouring. They are extremely popular with collectors, particularly the animals.
Kraus majolica bottle. Made in two sizes
Wasmuël decanter, possibly Napoleon
Boar majolica bottle marked H.B.
German/French majolica bottle marked B.L.
Bernard Bloch majolica bottle
Majolica bottle marked H.B.
German majolica bottle marked B.L.
Majolica bottle marked H.B.
German majolica bottle marked B.L.
Majolica bottle marked H.B.
German majolica bottle marked B.L.
Kraus majolica figural bottle
Mafra palissy majolica decanter
Brownie majolica bottle
Many of the late 19th century and early 20th century majolica character bottles have cork stoppers. Many were made by the Saint-Clément Pottery for the Garnier company as containers for spirits.
Saint-Clément majolica parrot bottle
Saint-Clément majolica dog bottle
The barber bottles and decanters are very different in both look and desirability. They aren't nearly as popular as the character bottles. They too have majolica lids fitted with cork stoppers These shown below are by Brownfield and Wedgwood.
Pair Wedgwood majolica bottles
Brownfield majolica decanter
Brownfield majolica bottles
Brownfield majolica bottle
This bottle by Adams & Bromley, has been seen by us two ways, with a round majolica cork stopper like the one below, and with a majolica drinking cup that sits upside down over the top.
Adams & Bromley pineapple decanter
Barber bottles and decanters don't really have an established price point, with the available examples bringing what the market will bear.
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