Military Majolica

Schiller military majolica jardiniere 

On this Memorial Day I thought I would highlight majolica with a military theme.

There is no majolica with any American military personnel that I am aware of, but there are quite a few French and Austrian pieces with military themes mostly from the turn of the century.

The first one that I became aware of is probably one of the strangest majolica pitchers I've ever seen. It was potted by the Orchies company to commemorate the Russian encroachment on the Far East. The pitcher is of a large Russian polar bear grabbing control of a Korean soldier. This invasion of Korea in 1898 ultimately led to the Boxer Rebellion and the Russo-Japanese War.

Orchies Russian Korean bear pitcher

The majority of military themed items are less specific in nature and in smoke-related items. Some of these may have been famous figures that would have been familiar to the general population but I really don't know for sure.

Bernard Bloch Ottoman smoke stand

Continental majolica Asian soldier smoke stand

German Lieb Vaterland Magst Sein Franco-Prussian soldier

Austrian majolica figure humidor

Austrian majolica figural humidor

Fives Lille majolica humidor Hoche

There were also pitchers made of military figures or figures in uniform.

Onnaing majolica Réserviste pitcher

Sarraguemines majolica pitcher

Sarreguemines majolica Soldat Francois

Sarreguemines majolica Soldat Autrichien pitcher

Sanford Pottery Crimean War jug

Here is a Sarreguemines pitcher of Napoleon and another unmarked of same.

Here is an unusual tobacco jar of a tank dating from WW1.

Fives Lille majolica tabacco jar Char Renault

Of course there is Minton’s large Prometheus Vase with Roman military figures.

Minton majolica Prometheus Vase

A wonderful Onnaing plate commemorating the 1892 Franco-Russian military alliance treaty which led to the 1896 meeting between the two nation’s leaders..

Finally there is the wonderful Renaissance helmet pitcher made by Wedgwood.

Wedgwood majolica helmet jug

With Memorial Day we come to the end of the Spring antiques season. Some of you will be traveling to Great Britain and Europe to advance your majolica collections while others will be heading for the beach. Whatever you do, be safe and have a wonderful summer!