The Cordial Pineapple

Since the 18th Century the pineapple has been a representation of hospitality. So much is this the case that the hospitality industry has formally adopted it as their symbol.

Dunmore Park House

Wimbledon cup

From Dunmore Park House to the Wimbledon cup, the pineapple is everywhere. It even made an appearance earlier this year on BBC's Downton Abbey as a serving piece in the servant's table!

Image from Downtown Abbey

Adams & Bromley pineapple sardine box

The early Wieldon pineapple pieces were the first Western wares to attempt realistic pineapple depictions.

Wieldon Wedgwood teapot

These full color attempts came to full flower with the creation of Victorian majolica. It seems not only right but inevitable that it would appear in majolica as well. Made by every conceivable manufacturer from Minton to Jones to the Etruscan Works to the tiny Arsenal Pottery, pineapple themed majolica can be found on both sides of the Atlantic.

Of course Minton, George Jones and Wedgwood made some of the most elegant pieces:

George Jones majolica teapot and sugar bowl

George Jones majolica pineapple creamer

George Jones majolica pineapple tea set with tea kettle

George Jones majolica pineapple compote

George Jones majolica pineapple dessert stand

George Jones majolica pineapple plate

George Jones majolica pineapple plate

Wedgwood majolica pineapple fruit plate

Wedgwood majolica fruit bowl

Wedgwood majolica fruit platter

Minton majolica pineapple pitcher

Minton majolica monkey and pineapple desk stand

The Minton piece above was modeled after Sir Edwin Landseer’s 1842 painting Brazilian Marmosets.

Sir Edwin Landseer, Brazilian Marmosets 

Smaller companies made charming pieces as well. Available in everything from comports to full tea services; syrups to platters; and simple tea kettles as well, there's plenty of variety to choose from.

Pineapple majolica pewter top syrup 

Wardle majolica pineapple hand vase

Brownfield majolica pineapple vase

Adams & Bromley pineapple bread tray

Adams & Bromley pineapple majolica plate

Adams & Bromley pineapple butter pat

Adams & Bromley pineapple majolica tea set

Unattributed majolica pineapple creamer

Unattributed majolica pineapple creamer

Adams & Bromley majolica carafe

Adams & Bromley majolica condiment

Adams & Bromley majolica pineapple egg cup server

Adams & Bromley pineapple majolica butter dish

Adams & Bromley pineapple majolica dessert stand

Unattributed majolica pineapple tea kettel

Unattributed majolica pineapple teapot

Wardle majolica sugar bowl

Wardle majolica pineapple teapot

Pineapple majolica tea kettle

Unattributed majolica monkey with pineapple vase

From the New World there are pieces from Phoenixville and Trenton.

Etruscan Majolica pineapple mug

Etruscan Majolica pineapple cuspidor 

Arsenal Pottery majolica pineapple pitcher 

Pineapple majolica is plentiful and varied; the colors are lovely and the shapes pleasing to the eye. The prices have never been cheaper than they are right now so I would encourage anyone to bring home a little hospitality for less than the cost of a trip to the mall.

It's a Dog's Life

Royal Worcester majolica whippet

Man's best friend is clearly also majolica's best friend.

Aside from cats, I can think of no other animal found more frequently in majolica than dogs. The variety is stunning. In everything from inkwells to humidors to plates to pitchers, dogs are everywhere in majolica. In America, England, France and the Continent, dog majolica is easy to be found.

Minton life size dog figure

Minton majolica game dish

Minton majolica desk stand

George Jones majolica desk stand

George Jones majolica card box

George Jones majolica game terrine

Holdcroft dog majolica master salt

Holdcroft majolica pug dog

Wedgwood majolica Punch and Judy tea set

Brown-Westhead Moore ink stand

Brown-Westhead Moore dog figural

Copeland majolica greyhounds

Forester majolica syrup

Wedgwood majolica hunt mug

Choisy-le-Roi majolica doghouse

Austrian majolica vase

Continental majolica figure on bench

St. Clement majolica dog head bank

St. Clement majolica terrier dog bank

Dreyfus majolica dog pitcher

Eichwald majolica  dog humidor

German dog bottle

French majolica pitcher

Bulldog majolica canister

St. Clement majolica dog pitcher Gypp

Sarreguemines bulldog pitcher

Austrian bulldog humidor

Austrian bulldog humidor

Austrian majolica spaniel humidor 

Dog with guitar humidor

Austrian majolica cat and dog humidor

Austrian majolica hound humidor

Austrian anthropomorphic dog humidor

Forester majolica bulldog humidor

Bohemia majolica dog humidor

Unattributed dog planter

Sarreguemines dogs humidor

Bulldog majolica match striker

Continental majolica dachshund match striker

Continental majolica match striker

Continental majolica bulldog match striker

Continental majolica match striker

Unattributed bulldog majolica pitcher

Majolica humidor

Central European majolica spill vase

Sherwin & Cotton dog tile

Johan Maresch majolica plate

Continental majolica dog plate

Arsenal Pottery majolica sheepdog plate

Arsenal Pottery sheepdog platter

Arsenal Pottery majolica dog and stag plate

Etruscan Majolica dog plate

Like cats, dog themed majolica always bring a premium price. Expect to pay twice as much for a piece with a dog on it as you would most other animals, but then, who could turn their nose up at one of these wonderful pieces?