Have you fallen under its spell?
I have! I have a secret obsession for antique majolica, I won't lie.
With their jewel toned hues, whimsical shapes, and all-out personality
majolica has been adding joie de vivre to French Country style lovers' homes for hundreds of years!
Prized for being hand made originals, each one took hours of design and "making" -
majolica pieces are considered works of art today rather than every day pottery.
It's easy to see why the styles are so coveted by designers and collectors alike.
Majolica has a rich history, you can read more about it HERE >
and how to decorate with it HERE >
Today I'm sharing a few tips on how to tell if a piece is authentic, or a modern reproduction.
When it comes to buying majolica for your home and collection,
you have to take into account your personal taste, and price range.
There are real, authentic majolica pieces in every range and quality!
These tips will allow you to buy pieces that are a true art form.
1. STUDY. The best way to be able to spot a modern reproduction of majolica is to go visit some in real life. Go to a museum, an antique dealer's collection, or look at some of the pieces of authentic majolica we sell here at FrenchGardenHouse on our website. 2. QUALITY. The new majolica is clearly inferior to true, 19th and early 20th century pieces. They're second-rate copies. They won't have the same careful painting, sharply molded details, nor that "wow" factor that a true antique piece of majolica will have. 3. GLAZE COLOR. Old, authentic majolica is very colorful, their glazes will have a rich, lustrous color hue. Modern reproductions will be much more garish in their colors. While the true antique majolica pieces are carefully glazed, the new pieces can be sloppy, with drips and glaze runs. The production lines of newer copies don't allow for the same careful quality control that the Victorian pieces had. 4. WEIGHT. Antique majolica will have a certain weight to it. They are heavy pieces. Modern reproductions will be much, much "lighter" 5. UNDERSURFACE. The antique majolica pieces will have a body underneath the glaze that is pink, blue, green, golden yellow, or cream. Some pieces have a "mottled" undersurface of blue-brown, blue-black. Newer pieces will most likely have a white undersurface. 6. MARKS. Many 19th century majolica manufacturers clearly marked their wares. But there are plenty of smaller manufacturers such as beloved Joseph Holdcraft, who did not. Today's reproductions are either unmarked, or often have a pretend British diamond shaped registry mark on the bottom. 7. CONDITION. Most of us collectors seek out the most pristine pieces we can find. Large chips or cracks that go all the way through a piece are hard to accept. Dull glazing or looks too heavy is another thing not many collectors want to see in their cherished majolica collection. But once in a while, we can get carried away by a piece that has been repaired. If you are not a perfectionist, there are plenty of majolica beauties out there waiting for you, at a much friendlier price than the 500.- to thousands {or more!} pieces that would literally mean taking a chunk out of your year's food budget. 8. COMMON SENSE. If a piece of majolica seems very inexpensive and the price seems too good to be true, it probably IS.
I hope you become as smitten with these charming creations as we are here at FrenchGardenHouse!
There is such delight in arranging your collection of majolica throughout your home.
Each colorful piece adds a touch of history, French Country charm,
and exudes your personal style and taste.
ps. There are modern reproductions, made by reputable manufactures, that are marked with their own factory name and, often, the date of production.
DO YOU LOVE MAJOLICA?
à bientôt
25 comments
Mary, there are online antique appraisers who may be able to help you. Or perhaps there is a local antique shop who can steer you in the right direction. Good luck!
I have a vase that is signed, I believe it is of the majolica kind, kind, it is signed with initials, and assi, Italy (Assisi)
Where can I research it at? Or where can I post a picture of it, to research it?
Linda, majolica was made in several countries, by a whole bunch of manufacturers. Many are signed, but many are not!
I have a footed compote that I mostly pink with a vine design with some small flowers all over the outside and just the pink inside. The footed base is open and the mark is in the open area. Does all Majolika have the same mark or does it vary by artist?
Jackie, I’m so sorry, we don’t do valuations nor have an identification service. I suggest you contact a local antique shop.
Hi
I hope you are well. I have been given a beautiful piece with a squirrel in the centre. It’s underside is a golden yellow and has a stamp mark of JJ. It doesn’t have any other markings Would you be able to tell me anything else I could look out for to determine whether it’s a fake or a real piece. Kind Regards
Jackie xx
Hi I love your educational piece on the wonderful French majolica. I am new to learning and collecting. I have a cache pot with the number 356. Is that the part of the the location in France it came from?? It has something marks which are unreadable.
Thank-you’
Your website is lovely. Thank you for such great quality.
Would you be so kind as to refer me to a museum quality restorer for majolica?
Any help would be appreciated.
I think I found my first piece. It has P 134 on the bottom. It is a blackberry pitcher with a wood looking handle. I hope it is real. It doesn’t have any chips or cracks. It had kitchen grease on it like it was sitting on display on top of a cabinet for years.
Lynda, I’m so sorry, but we aren’t appraisers at FrenchGardenHouse. There are businesses and/or dealers who will help you identify antiques for fee, I think you will be able to find those through google. Good luck! It’s always exciting to find out the history of something in your collection!