Majolica Etruscan
Posted in Pottery on 11/04/2009 01:21 pm by admin |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Swan Cheese Keeper RAREST $1,650.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 24m Buy It Now for only: $1,650.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Shell Compote Very RARE $995.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $995.00 |
 MARVELOUS MAJOLICA ETRUSCAN PINK GREEN OYSTER ICE CREAM TRAY OR PLATTER $899.00 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $899.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Shell Platter $765.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 59m Buy It Now for only: $765.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed and Shell Platter Great Colors $699.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 8m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 |
 AMERICAN ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA JAPANESE BAMBOO SYRUP JUG $699.00 Time Remaining: 16d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Coffee Pot $699.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 58m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Tea Pot with Straight Spout RARE $685.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 28m Buy It Now for only: $685.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Tea Pot RARE $675.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 29m Buy It Now for only: $675.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Coffee Pot $599.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 23m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Coffee Pot $595.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $595.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Very RARE NICE Etruscan Cow Butter Dish $495.00 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 23m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 AMERICAN ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA MAPLE LEAF CAKE STAND $399.99 Time Remaining: 23d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Shell Platter Great Colors $399.00 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Sugar Bowl Excellent Colors and CLean $385.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 28m Buy It Now for only: $385.00 |
 ANTIQUE ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA SUNFLOWER SYRUP PITCHER $375.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 Vintage Majolica SHELL SEAWEED TEAPOT ETRUSCAN PHOENIXVILLE PA CIRCA 1879 $350.00 Time Remaining: 7d 8h 57m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 Antique Etruscan Majolica Bowl Shells and Seaweed Rare $345.00 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $345.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Sugar Bowl Excellent Colors and CLean $325.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 19m Buy It Now for only: $325.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Cauliflower Teapot $299.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 7m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Morning Glory Cakestand $295.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Morning Glory Cakestand $295.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Maple Leaf Cakestand $295.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Cauliflower Teapot $295.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 8m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 1880 AMERICAN ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA SUNFLOWER BLUE SYRUP $269.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 58m Buy It Now for only: $269.00 |
 BEAUTIFUL MAJOLICA ETRUSCAN MAPLE LEAF COMPOTE ANTIQUE $249.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed and Shell Pitcher Great Colors $235.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Seaweed Spooner $235.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 9m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Water Lily Finger Bowl $235.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Creamer Excellent Colors Clean $235.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 29m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 |
 Griffen Smith Hill Etruscan Majolica Green Pink Bowl $245.00 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 35m Buy It Now for only: $245.00 |
 ANTIQUE ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA SHELL SEAWEED CIDER PITCHER $220.00 Time Remaining: 9d 18m Buy It Now for only: $220.00 |
 Majolica Etruscan Shell And Seaweed 7 Plate $240.00 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $240.00 |
 ANTIQUE ETRUSCAN GRIFFIN SMITH HILL SHELL SEAWEED RARE 95 D SIGNED $225.00 Time Remaining: 11d 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Hawthorne Pitcher Very Large $199.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 26m Buy It Now for only: $199.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN 8 1 4 Seaweed Plate $199.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 59m Buy It Now for only: $199.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Oak Leaf Tray $195.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 44m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 |
 Antique Etruscan Cauliflower Sugar with Lid Griffin Smith Hill Lid Excellent $195.00 Time Remaining: 8d 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 |
 Antique Majolica ETRUSCAN DESIGN PLATE 9 3 4 DIAMETER VERY NICE $198.00 Time Remaining: 20d 10h 1m Buy It Now for only: $198.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Cup Saucer $185.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $185.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed and Shell Pitcher Great Colors $185.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 26m Buy It Now for only: $185.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Overlapping Leaf Plate $175.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Maple Leaf Cakestand $165.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Hawthorne Pitcher Huge Size $165.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 24m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Geranium Platter $165.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN 8 1 4 Seaweed Plate $165.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 MAJOLICA LEAF PLATE 1800S ETRUSCAN SPECKLED BACK EDGE $159.99 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 |
 MAJOLICA LEAF PLATE 1800S ETRUSCAN SPECKLED BACK MPLE $159.99 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 34m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 |
 2 ETRUSCAN MAJOLICA GSH 1879 LEAF DISH SERVING BOWLS $149.99 Time Remaining: 5d 9h 34m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Maple Leaf Plate $150.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed Sauce Dish $150.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 23m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 ANTIQUE ETRUSCAN GRIFFIN SMITH MAJOLICA SHELL SEAWEED $160.00 Time Remaining: 27d 27m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Seaweed and Shell Pitcher $150.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Seaweed Pitcher $135.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 6m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Maple Leaf Tray $135.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 ANTIQUE MAJOLICA ETRUSCAN PIINEAPPLE MUG 35TALL $145.00 Time Remaining: 6d 7h Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 ANTIQUE ETRUSCAN WATER LILY MAJOLICA MUG 35 TALL $145.00 Time Remaining: 6d 7h Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 Etruscan MAJOLICA Classical Plate Griffin Smith Hill 9 $145.00 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 58m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 NICE GRIFFIN SMITH HILL GSH AMERICAN ETRUSCAN SUNFLOWER CREAMER $129.99 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 36m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Hawthorne Pitcher $125.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Maple Leaf Tray $125.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 39m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Classical Bowl with Angel $115.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 9m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Antique Majolica Etruscan Albino Seaweed Shell Plate $112.50 Time Remaining: 19d 2h 12m Buy It Now for only: $112.50 |
 Lovely Old English or Etruscan Majolica Large Art Nouveau Leaf Design Compote $99.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $170.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Hawthorne Pitcher $99.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Gorgeous Antique ETRUSCAN Majolica Pink Leaf Bowl $99.00 Time Remaining: 24d 1h 50m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Butterfly Rim Pitcher $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Butterfly Rim Pitcher Old Etruscan Mark $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 35m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Begonia Leaf Tray $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 35m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN Maple Leaf Plate with RARE Lavender Border $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 41m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica ETRUSCAN 6 Seaweed Plate $99.50 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $99.50 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Butter Pat RARE FORM $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 24m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Butter Pat RARE FORM $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Pretty Old Majolica Etruscan Butter Pat RARE FORM $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 ANTIQUE MAJOLICA ETRUSCAN LEAF COMPOTE GRIFFIN SMITH $99.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 17m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
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As an Italian, when I have to write in English or talk with one of my American Customers I am always uncertain: should I say Italian Pottery, Italian Ceramics or Italian Majolica?
In order to do away with any doubt, I did some research and ran some tests.
I learned quite a lot on the subject and I would love to share my findings with you.
Let's start with technicalities.
Here is a short review of the definition of the words Ceramics, Pottery and Majolica. Once we know exactly what we are talking about, we will define what they really mean to people.
CERAMICS
Ceramic is the most general term. It is derived from the Greek word keramos, meaning "clay".
Historically, ceramics were prepared by shaping clay, decorating it, often glazing it and firing it at high temperatures in a kiln.
However, this definition has changed. The term ceramics now refers to a diverse group of materials, including cements and glass. While all are fired at high temperatures, clay is no longer a key component of ceramics.
That is why, nowadays, the category ceramics technically includes both pottery and porcelain, which, with their standard formulas, have come to popularly represent quality grades.
POTTERY
Pottery is an ornamental or useful ware shaped from moist clay and hardened by heat.
The type of clay used and the temperature at which it is fired give pottery a different appearance and strength. There are three major pottery types.
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Earthenware
It is also know as bisque or biscuit and it is fired at low temperatures - 1800°to 2100° Fahrenheit. It is usually reddish or white. Due to its high porosity, earthenware must usually be glazed to enable it to hold water. Earthenware pieces have been found that date back to 1400-1200 BC, making this craft the oldest pottery in history.
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Stoneware
It is made of a heavier clay mixture, which can be fired at much higher temperatures - 2200° to 2400° Fahrenheit. It is dense, impermeable and hard enough to resist scratching by a steel point. It's brownish gray and it can be used both blazed and unglazed. Ideal for cooking and baking.
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Porcelain
It's made of a specific clay, containing kaolinite, and it is fired at high temperatures - 2200° to 2500° Fahrenheit. It is hard, impermeable (even before glazing), white, translucent and resonant.
MAJOLICA
Majolica - also spelled Maiolica - is the beautiful ware prepared by tin-glazing earthenware and firing it a second time. After the first firing, the bisque is dipped into a bath of fast drying liquid glaze.
When dry, the glazed piece is ready to be Hand Painted. A final firing at 1690° Fahrenheit will make the glaze interact with the metal oxides used by the painter to create the deep and brilliant translucent colors specific to majolica.
This technique originates in the Middle East in the 9th century. By the 13th century majolica ware was imported into Italy through the Isle of Majorca, headquarter of the trade between Spain and Italy.
The Italians called it Maiolica, erroneously thinking it was made in Majorca. They were fascinated by this new way of making ceramics and soon started to copy the process, adapting it by their own creativity and traditions. The rise of Italian majolica in Europe was fast and reached its peak of artistic quality throughout central Italy during the Renaissance - late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Nowadays, in English the word Majolica is used to refer to ceramic ware in the stylistic tradition of the Italian Renaissance.
A huge step ahead.
Now I know that I collect and sell Pottery, specifically Earthenware, mostly Italian majolica.
The original question is still unanswered, though. I still do not know what I should call my beloved ware when talking to my American friends. Having rejected the use of Earthenware, because the word is by far too technical, I tested using the term Italian majolica.
Only museum staff or experts understood what I meant, and many of them figured I was taking about istoriato Renaissance ware, while I had in mind modern Italian majolica pieces.
As the next step I tested the phrase Italian pottery.
The result was good, everybody knew I was talking about clay ware in the shape of an Italian bowl, an Italian vase or an Italian dinnerware set. I was not satisfied, though. Pottery is any kind of ware shaped from moist clay and hardened by heat. Pottery can be used for a $20 chicken cooking pot as well as a $2000 Italian istoriato Wall Plate.
How could I convey both the technical process behind Italian pottery as well as its unique quality and beauty?
I tested the term Italian ceramics and it worked perfectly. Digging into my Customers and friends answers I found out that it actually conveyed high quality and included both dinnerware and ornamental ware.
There is an historical explanation for this.
Although "Ceramics" is - nowadays and in purely technical language - a more general term than pottery, it has been used for more than 3000 years in the countries where this craft is born and it has evolved into an art. Italy is one of those countries: we proudly handcrafted some of the finest ceramics in the history of this art.
Italian ceramics include the Etruscan "bucchero", the Renaissance majolica and lusterware, the Baroque tiles from Sicily, the "zaffera" from central Italy, the contemporary clay art...
When we say Italian ceramics, we mean much more than items made of clay, earthenware or majolica. These two words embody artistic heritage, history, regional traditions, the creativity of a people. They touch a chord in our souls. That is probably why so many people are passionate about Italian ceramics.
Like you and I.
Tiziana is a collector of fine Italian ceramics. To read more on Italian pottery and shop some awesome pieces from her collection, please visit her at ThatsArte.com