majolica

ma·jol·i·ca

noun \mə-ˈjä-li-kə\

Definition of MAJOLICA

1

: earthenware covered with an opaque tin glaze and decorated on the glaze before firing; especially : an Italian ware of this kind

2

: a 19th century earthenware modeled in naturalistic shapes and glazed in lively colors

Variants of MAJOLICA

ma·jol·i·ca also ma·iol·i·ca \-ˈyä-\

Origin of MAJOLICA

Italian maiolica, from Old Italian Maiolica, Maiorica Majorca

First Known Use: 1851

majolica

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Tin-glazed earthenware introduced from Moorish Spain by way of the island of Majorca and produced in Italy from the 14th century. Majolica is usually restricted to five colours: cobalt blue, antimony yellow, iron red, copper green, and manganese purple; the purple and blue were used, at various periods, mainly for outline. White tin enamel was used also, for highlights or alone on the white tin glaze. The most common shape of the pottery was a display dish, decorated in the istoriato style, a 16th-century Italian narrative style that uses the pottery body solely as support for a purely pictorial effect. See also delftware; Faenza majolica; faience; Urbino majolica.

Variants of MAJOLICA

majolica Italian maiolica