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.
Massier majolica frog umbrella stand at the NYC Pier Show
Just about every majolica 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 five 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 a frog creamer and a frog decorated master salt.
Minton majolica frog box
Minton majolica frog on fish creamer
Minton majolica frog compote
Minton majolica creamer
Minton majolica master salt
Both George Jones and Copeland made charming frog vases.
Copeland majolica frog vase
Copeland majolica triple frog vase
George Jones majolica frog vase
Jones also added frogs to this Rustic pitcher that forms part of their chestnut series.
George Jones majolica Rustic jug
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 a smaller version as a vase, as well as other frogs for various uses. They even made a frog teapot!
Monumental 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 and Belgian companies also made frogs,
Fives-Lille dapper frog pitcher
Orchies majolica hunting frog pitcher
Fives-Lille 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
Austrian frog humidor
Austrian frog humidor
Austrian 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.
Unattributed frog finial covered dish, possibly Sergent
French frog on melon pitcher. Reproductions
on this piece are rampant.
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
Austrian frog candleholder
French palissy majolica charger
The Etruscan Works also made a frog paperweight.
GSH majolica frog paperweight
There has recently developed a burgeoning industry on modern frog majolica style pieces. They have completely saturated the marketplace. These are not antiques but created to satiate this interest in frogs. These pieces, created in Asia, are useful as vases, bird baths and jardinieres. Considering their relatively inexpensive cost they can be easily replaced if damaged since they are still in production. Most of these are sold as "vintage" and have a distinctly Asian aesthetic. For a post on modern frog majolica style pieces go here.
So if frogs tickle your fancy, there's a world of majolica frogs waiting for you... but I would use both hands!
This post has been updated since it was first posted.
