George Jones is for the Birds

Few ceramic manufacturers are as identified with a single animal form than George Jones is with birds. Jones majolica birds appear everywhere in their late Victorian majolica wares much to the delight of collectors everywhere.

The ne plus ultra of the Jones bird forms is probably their game dishes. When I think of George Jones the first image that comes to my mind is the "full nest" quail terrine. Made also in a form without the chicks (the "empty nest" game dish) it is a piece desired by virtually every majolica collector as a centerpiece for their collection. Jones also made a dead quail game dish  and smaller paté dish that are not as sought after as the "live" quail dishes.

Another striking use of a bird in Jones majolica is the Kingfisher finial cheese bell, rather rare as Jones cheese bells go.

Of course birds appear in many other forms in GJ majolica as well. Finches, ducks, chickens, swallows, hummingbirds, swans, blackbirds, doves, herons and little brown wrens decorate jardinieres, centerpieces, serving pieces, sardine boxes, card holders, figurals, plates and pitchers.

George Jones majolica Stephanotis round flower pot

George Jones majolica Stephanotis oval flower pot

Card holder bud vase

Bud vase

George Jones majolica dove salt dip

Jones majolica sweetmeat

They also made wall pockets festooned with hummingbirds, garden seats and tiles

George Jones majolica is difficult enough to find as it is but the popularity of their bird pieces make these glorious things as scarce as hen's teeth!