Majolica is a trade name first used in England by the Minton Pottery, and later by others including Wedgwood, Copeland, George Jones, and in Australia by John Campbell and Bendigo Pottery. A large quantity of majolica was also produced in England and Europe that is unmarked, or was made by minor manufacturers.
Majolica is an earthenware pottery decorated with a clear lead glaze and is characterised by vivid colour and a high gloss finish.
It was first introduced in England by Minton at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 as "Palissy ware", named after the inventor, the 16th century
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French potter Bernard Palissy, (c 1510 - c 1589) and also another type of earthenware coloured by an opaque glaze, which it called "Majolica Ware", the name derived from the Italian maiolica ware. However over time the name "Palissy Ware" was dropped and the wares became known as "Majolica". To add to the confusion, the English pottery A.E. Jones and Sons, of Stoke-on-Trent, used the name "Palissy" for its majolica wares.
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The Wedgwood Pottery Company has been in operation for over 250 years. Founded in 1759 in England by Josiah Wedgwood, the company quickly became known for its high-quality pottery and innovative designs.
In the early years of the company, Josiah Wedgwood was focused on creating new types of pottery that would meet the demands of the changing market. He introduced a variety of new techniques, including the use of transfer printing, which allowed for intricate designs to be applied to pottery quickly and easily.
One of Wedgwood's most famous designs was the Jasperware line, which was introduced in
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the 1770s. This line featured a matte finish and was made in a variety of colours, including blue, green, and lilac. The Jasperware line proved to be incredibly popular and is still produced by Wedgwood to this day.
Over the years, Wedgwood has continued to innovate and introduce new designs. In the 19th century, the company introduced the Fairyland Lustre line, which was known for its whimsical and fantastical designs. Wedgwood also became known for its bone china, which was introduced in the early 20th century.
In addition to its pottery designs, Wedgwood has also been involved in various social causes throughout its history. In the late 18th century, Josiah Wedgwood was a prominent abolitionist and created a medallion featuring an image of a slave in chains with the words "Am I not a man and a brother?" This design became a symbol of the abolitionist movement and was widely circulated.
Wedgwood is known around the world for its high-quality pottery and continues to innovate and introduce new designs. The company has received numerous awards for its designs and is a favourite of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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