majolica

noun

ma·​jol·​i·​ca mə-ˈjä-li-kə 

variants or less commonly maiolica

mə-ˈyä-li-kə 

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

Examples of majolica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Walls were chockablock with curiosities, including antique herbaria and majolica pottery. — Jody Garlock, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026

Dazzling in majolica tile, the Santa Maria Assunta catches the sunlight in ribbons of green, gold, and cobalt—an architectural wonder shimmering above the sea. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Modern and contemporary art by the likes of Picasso, de Chirico, and Magritte is in dialogue with antique furniture, majolica, Asian art, and rare books. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026

Bergs Potter takes the cake for me, closely followed by the majolica-like planters at Williams-Sonoma and a few stylish designs from Ferm Living and Pottery Barn. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian maiolica, from Old Italian Maiolica, Maiorica Majorca

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1