Majolica Mania: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States, 1850–1915

About

As the first major exhibition of majolica in nearly four decades, Majolica Mania: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States, 1850–1915 examines the remarkable range of this brightly-glazed earthenware made by a variety of British and American potteries.

First introduced by the Minton factory at the Great Exhibition in 1851, majolica's popularity soon meant that it was being made- by numerous manufacturers in England and, from the 1870s, by an increasing number of American potteries. Brightly coloured and exuberantly modelled, majolica reflects Victorian interests in historical and exotic subject matter, the natural world, new foods and popular culture. Changing fashions as well as an awareness of the health risks that the ware's lead glazes posed to workers brought an end to majolica production in the early 20th century.

The exhibition features objects drawn largely from major private collections in the United States, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery's own collections, and the Minton Archive, which was saved for the nation by the Art Fund.

Majolica Mania: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States, 1850–1915 has been organised by Bard Graduate Center Gallery, New York, and is made possible through support from the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Image: Mintons Ltd. Teapot, shape no. 1844, designed ca. 1873; this example 1894. Earthenware with majolica glazes. Private collection. Photo: Bruce White.

Tickets £5, concessions £3, children under 16's free.

Museum opening times: Weds to Sat 10am - 5pm. Sundays 11am - 4pm