2023-02-01
Majolica is a type of richly decorated faïence produced in Italy from the 14th/15th to the 18th century. The impetus for the start of production was the import of Moorish-Spanish crockery into Italy via Mallorca. Thanks to the island, the vessels gained their name – majolica derives from the Italian word maiolica, which has its genesis in the Italian name Maiolica, meaning Mallorca.
Development of majolica
Majolica was glazed with a tin glaze and decorated with multicoloured decorations. Its origins go back to the 15th century, when vessels decorated with motifs taken from the East began to be made. In the second half of the 15th century, majolica sculptures began to be made in Florence, more specifically in the della Robbia workshop. The years between 1475 and 1530 were the years of greatest development when new centres of majolica production were established and the characteristic colour palette specific to this type of faïence developed – the vessels were decorated in white, violet, yellow, orange, cold green, sapphire blue.
The decoration of the vessels over time
The main motif decorating majolica vessels in the early days was floral motifs. The 16th century saw the development of the istoriato, or narrative style, which oscillated around mythological, biblical and historical scenes, but this period was also a time when arabesque and grotesque decoration flourished, which were painted on richly moulded vases. The turn of the 16th and 17th centuries brought the production of white vessels decorated with delicate ornamentation. A turn away from this aesthetic came later in the 17th century, when monochrome, cobalt-decorated vessels and wares decorated with scenes from paintings became popular.