Majolica is earthenware with a white tin glaze, decorated by applying colorants on the raw glazed surface. The high viscosity of the glaze restricts flow as the glaze melts, giving a glossy surface that maintains the line quality of the decoration.

Majolica is the anglicized version of the Italian maiolica and refers only to tin-glazed and some lead-glazed ware of the 19th century. Majolica is often used (improperly) to refer to all maiolica ware.

Tin-glaze earthenware began in the Middle East. This ceramic knowledge came to Spain as the Muslims conquered North Africa and moved into Europe. Italians imported the pottery from the Spanish island of Majorca, calling it maiolica ware.

Italian Majolica may be referred to by the city in which it was made. Two of the most important are Venice majolica and Urbino majolica.

References

• "Marvels of Maiolica: Italian Renaissance Ceramics from the Corcoran Gallery of Art" by Jacqueline Marie Musacchio. Bunker Hill Publishing, 2004
• “A Guide To Looking At Italian Ceramics” by David Harris Cohen and Catherine Hess, J. Paul Getty Museum in association with British Museum Press, 1993.

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