In spite of the creation of a registry system specifically designed to circumvent this very problem, the copying of designs between manufacturers was pervasive during the main period of Victorian majolica manufacture. Where it is well known that American companies like the Etruscan Works of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania copied numerous designs of European manufacturers, the same is true of potteries throughout Europe. In reality there are dozens of similar types of copies by European companies who learned by copying the large potteries. Here are a few of the most common ones.
One of the most frequently seen Victorian design copies is the Vine and Strawberry plate usually credited to Wedgwood. The pattern was copied by Brownfield & Son, Gustafsberg, Alcock, Edge Malkin & Co., Davenport and numerous small potteries who all did their own majolica copies of the piece.
 Gustafsberg Strawberry & Vine plate 
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Alcock majolica strawberry and vine plate
Another commonly seen copy is the Minton Six Well Oyster plate which became the standard for all oyster plates and as such, was copied by a number of small potteries in Europe.
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| Minton copy by Hackney & Co. |
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Minton majolica oyster plate
George Jones majolica sardine box Copy of Jones sardine by unknown potter |
Minton's Chestnut server was also copied by several potteries. Lunneville, Sarreguemines and St. Honore all did their own versions of the same piece.
Minton majolica chestnut server
 St. Honore chestnut server  |
Large potteries throughout Europe had their designs copied.
Wedgwood majolica blackberry pitcher
Shorter & Boulton majolica blackberry pitcher
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 George Jones majolica Barrel pitcher |
Copy of George Jones barrel hops pitcher Wedgwood majolica Argenta St. Louis plate  Arsenal Pottery majolica plate  George Jones majolica Lotus plate 
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As George Bernard Shaw said:
Imitation is not only the sincerest form of
flattery–it's the sincerest form of learning.
flattery–it's the sincerest form of learning.
Hi! Not sure if my other comment went through- I have what appears to be a majolica vase, pics here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/3aciqi/ceramic_floral_vase_treasured_family_possession/
ReplyDeleteOne of the commenters there sent me to you for more answers, any ideas? I'd appreciate any insight you can offer! Thank you!
That's quite a lovely vase you have there.
DeleteYou didn't mention the size of the vase or whether it is marked or not but regardless I can tell you that it is certainly continental in origin and most likely French or Austrian, dating to the late Nineteenth Century. This style of vase is quite common in small sizes but rather rare in larger sizes which would add to its value. The ombre treatment of the ground is quite unusual for majolica but very effectively used here.
This round shape with flattened sides is often referred to as a moon vase.