A look at the design, market and legacy of Victorian pottery

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Rockin’ Lobster Majolica!

In the 18th century and early 19th century shellfish was inexpensive and reserved for the poor. By the late Victorian period, when presentation became everything, things changed and lobster and its smaller cousin the prawn were considered the queen of the dining experience. Naturally hostesses made the most of it.





Many of the major English and French pottery manufacturers highlighted these crustaceans by making specialty serving pieces to impress. These deserve a special look. Let’s start with the big English firms.

Holdcroft majolica pate terrine

Wedgwood majolica Crustacea plate

Wedgwood lobster terrine

Wedgwood majolica salad bowl

Minton majolica lobster terrine

Minton majolica seafood platter

George Jones majolica lobster terrine

George Jones prawn terrine

Smaller English companies made lobster servers too, such as this delightful seafood server.


The French made many lobster pieces, some in the Palissy style just for ornament.

Choisy-le-Roi lobster server

Choisy-le-Roi majolica serving dish

Choisy-le-Roi majolica palissy charger

Renoleau palissy majolica plaque

Renoleau palissy majolica wall pocket

Longchamp palissy majolica charger

School of Paris palissy majolica plaque

Longchamp majolica prawn plate

Thomas Sergent palissy majolica plate

Thomas Sergent majolica pitcher

Barbizet palissy majolica charger

Sarreguemines majolica lobster tureen

Sarreguemines majolica lavabo

Of course other European companies joined in on making both useful and ornamental majolica lobsters. German, Austrian and Portuguese companies all made lobster decorated ware with the Portuguese continuing the tradition today. 

Schiller & Son made two particularly stunning lobster themed pitchers, while Schutz Cilli made a full line of lobster plates complete with a platter.

Schiller & Son seafood pitcher

Schiller & Son majolica seafood themed pitcher

Schutz Cilli majolica lobster plate

Manuel Mafra majolica palissy plaque

As I mentioned earlier, the Portuguese, who made fabulous palissy lobster plates in the late 19th and early 20th century, like the one above, have continued making majolica style palissy plates to this day like those two below with lobsters and other creatures. Unfortunately they’ve saturated the secondary market confusing buyers and dealers alike. However they do have their charm. If the idea of a contemporary piece doesn’t bother you, by all means add one of these chargers to your room. It may not have a pedigree but it is certainly bound to be a conversation starter! In the meanwhile keep rockin’ those fabulous majolica lobsters.

Modern majolica palissy style chargers




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