Vintage View: affordable and delicious period dishes

Majolica (often confused with tin-enamelled Maiolica) is a scrumptious and affordable lead-glazed earthenware that took off in the mid-19th century and is still potted and prized in Europe and the US.

It was first presented by the English firm of Mintons, in the 1851 Exhibition, as Palissy ware, after the 16th century experimental ceramicist Bernard Palissy. This was quickly followed up with a showing in Paris of this jolly, accessible ceramic, causing a flurry of excitement in England, Europe, and even the Americas.

Together with classical parlour piece — fruits and vegetables, domestic and exotic (the pineapple was a Georgian obsession), were a popular theme in fine porcelain in the 17th and 18th centuries.