majolica
Noun: 1. A type of highly decorated earthenware pottery: Majolica is a specific kind of tin-glazed pottery, typically featuring brightly colored, opaque glazes and elaborate, often three-dimensional, painted or molded decoration.
Majolica refers specifically to the ceramic ware itself. It is used as a mass noun (uncountable) when referring to the general type of pottery, and as a countable noun when referring to individual pieces. * The museum has an impressive collection of Italian majolica from the 16th century. * She collects antique majolica plates. * This majolica vase is decorated with a relief of fruit and leaves.
- Historical Context: The term is most precisely applied to Italian tin-glazed earthenware from the Renaissance period, though it is also used for similar wares produced elsewhere, particularly in 19th-century England and France.
- The development of majolica in Italy was influenced by earlier Islamic pottery.
- Maiolica: An alternative spelling, often used to refer specifically to the Italian Renaissance ware.
- Faience: A French term for tin-glazed earthenware, similar to majolica.
- Delftware: Dutch tin-glazed earthenware, typically with blue decoration on a white ground, a specific type within this ceramic family.
- Pottery
- Earthenware
- Faience (in specific contexts)
- Tin-glazed ware
The core meaning of "majolica" is consistent, referring to the decorative tin-glazed pottery. There are no significantly different modern meanings, though the spelling "maiolica" is sometimes preferred for historical pieces.
- highly decorated earthenware with a glaze of tin oxide