majolica

noun

ma·​jol·​i·​ca mə-ˈjä-li-kə How to pronounce majolica (audio)
variants or less commonly maiolica
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
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Carlo Oriente The majolica tiles from Cevi Ceramica Vietrese, which cover the peninsula in the kitchen, are a traditional Mediterranean material. Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2024 The bedrooms are categorized by color–contessa, blue, pink and majolica. Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023 Learn About Ceramics in Faenza In the 15th and 16th centuries, the small city of Faenza became famous all over Europe for the production of majolica—so much so that the word faience derives from the name of this city. Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024 The Paris dealer Christophe de Quenetain is offering a majolica dish from 1525 from the celebrated, exquisite Calini service made by Nicola da Urbino. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 11 Mar. 2020 Matte-finish tiles were printed with motifs referencing centuries-old intarsia and majolica patterns, and designers liked the idea of using them in contemporary spaces. Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2019 Sourcing inspiration from Italian designer Gio Ponti’s ceramic majolica tiles, Brooklinen and The Inside played with color and geometry to produce a collection of luxe sheets for every design style. Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, 25 Apr. 2019 Olérys and Laugier manufactory sugar castor from Moustiers (c. 1750) Photo: Sidney R. Knafel Collection French faience has its roots in Italy, its name derived from the northern Italian city Faenza, an important producer of majolica. Barrymore Laurence Scherer, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2019 Lining two of the showroom’s exterior courtyard walls are various tiles, both custom ones by Barthel and 19th-century majolica. Maria Shollenbarger, ELLE Decor, 18 Oct. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Italian maiolica, from Old Italian Maiolica, Maiorica Majorca

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of majolica was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near majolica

Cite this Entry

“Majolica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majolica. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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