A look at the design, market and legacy of Victorian pottery

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas Gifts for the Majolica Collector

Are you trying to find just the right last minute holiday gift for the majolica collector in your life?

Without question the best gift would be that special piece of majolica that they've always longed for but, barring a budget of several thousand dollars, a good alternative would be a book on majolica! Since most serious collectors have the major references available on the bookshelf an off-the-mainstream book about majolica might be just the way to go.

Here are a few to consider:


La Faïencerie de Sarreguemines by Alain Benedick

A terrific paperback book about the majolica from the famous German/French pottery. The pictures alone are a great reference. Also includes pictures of the company marks as well as the form numbers of different pieces. 224 pages. In French.


Majolica by Nicholas Dawes

A lovely out-of-print hardback overview survey on majolica still available from some retailers. You may know Dawes from Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Beautiful photos! Makes a great coffee table book. 192 pages.


Portuguese Palissy Ware by Marshall P Katz

A hardcover book on the majolica genre created by the famous 16th Century artist Benard Palissy. Covers the work produced between 1853-1920 in the town Caldas da Rainha, primarily by the potters Mafra and Pinheiro. Includes two pages of marks. 140 pages.


Les Massier: Majolica from Vallauris from Silvana Editoriale

A softcover catalog from a 2009 exhibition of work of the famous Massier family from Vallauris. Covers the work of founder Jacques Massier, Clement Massier, Delphin Massier, Jerome Massier and Cedric Massier. 190 pages. In French with some English translations.


Artichauts et Aspergenes en Barbotine by Marye Bottero

A hard cover book on the continental majolica sub-genre of asparagus and artichoke servers. Lots of color pictures. Covers the work of all of the major and most of the minor French and German potters. 168 pages. In French.


Bendigo Pottery Majolica 1879-1911 by Gregory Hill

A rather hard-to-find softcover overview on the work of this little-known Australian pottery. From a 2008 exhibition. 74 pages.


American Majolica 1850-1900 by M. Charles Rebert

A 1981 hardcover out-of-print book. The book that started the majolica craze in the US. The first and only overall view of American majolica. We did a review of it here. 87 pages.


Barbotines de la Côte d'Azur by Marye Bottero

A survey of the majolica produced in the south of France. Includes a section on marks. 224 pages. In French

and of course...


Etruscan Majolica: The Majolica Of Griffen Smith & Company: The History by Dimitrios Bastas, 72 pages

and...


Etruscan Majolica: The Majolica Of Griffen Smith & Company: The Catalog by Dimitrios Bastas, 74 pages

The finest examples of Etruscan Majolica illustrated in beautiful full color. Divided into categories based on subject. Included is an extensive, color coded price guide. Softcover.

Here's to wishing you all the happiest of holidays!

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