Frogs, Frogs Frogs!

"Never try to catch two frogs with one hand."

--- Chinese Proverb

If you're trying to catch two majolica frogs with one hand, you may well have an easier time of it then the real thing as they are so plentiful. After my visit to the NYC Pier Show this weekend, where I saw what I think is the largest majolica frog in existence, I got to thinking about frogs. In fact, I can't think of a single animal that appears more frequently in majolica than the frog. Including the hundreds of Palissy pieces that feature them (and are too many in number to feature here), frogs are everywhere in majolica. 

Just about every manufacturer made something with frogs! Minton, Jones, Copeland, the Etruscan Works-- they all made pieces with them. So many exist that it seems fruitless to try and illustrate them all, so I'll do my best and just post a few of the more commonly seen examples.

Minton made four of the most desirable frog pieces found in majolica: this box of a frog sitting on a lily pad, this pitcher of a frog riding a fish, a sweetmeat compote and this frog creamer.

Minton majolica creamer

Minton majolica master salt

Both George Jones and Copeland made charming frog vases.

Copeland majolica frog vase

Copeland majolica frog vase

George Jones majolica frog vase

Jones also added frogs to the pitcher that forms part of their chestnut series.

Hugo Lonitz made a terrific terrine with a frog finial and cute little sweetmeat server.

Delphin Massier seems to have specialized in frogs. In addition to the giant figural cane stand I saw this weekend, Massier made this smaller version as a vase, as well as other frogs for various uses. They even made a frog teapot!

Massier majolica frog umbrella stand

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica triple frog vase

Massier majolica triple frog vase

Massier majolica frog vase

Massier majolica teapot

Massier majolica vases

Massier majolica frog vase

Other French companies also made frogs,

Fives-Lille dapper frog pitcher

Orchies majolica hunting frog pitcher

Fives-Lille majolica frog jug

Sarreguemines majolica frog jug

Then there is the large collection of smoking themed frogs...

strikers and vases…

Frog majolica candlestand

Continental majolica smoke stand

Frog and boy majolica smoker

and humidors.

Eichwald majolica frog humidor

Of course there are any number of frogs from both Continental and British manufacturers,--including one of my favorites, the frog on melon pitcher.

French frog on melon pitcher

Schiller & Son majolica frog with bagpipes

WS&S horn player

WS&S majolica frog drummer

WS&S frog majolica flute player

Schiller & Son majolica frog horn player

German majolica frog decanter

Edward Steele majolica frog jug

Victorian majolica frog mug. There is also a reproduction 

mug with a fake Etruscan mark on the base.

Alcock majolica frog and snake pitcher

Forester majolica frog ink stand

French palissy majolica charger

Jose Cunha majolica charger

Jose Cunha majolica charger

So, if frogs tickle your fancy, there's a world of majolica frogs waiting for you... but I would use both hands!