Shape Number: 640
Height: 93 cm
One of Minton’s most significant achievements in the 19th century was the development and production of ‘Majolica ware’: ceramics decorated with bold, colourful lead glazes inspired by the bright colours of Italian ‘maiolica’ and Renaissance ceramicists Luca Della Robbia and Bernard Palissy. First presented at Minton’s stand at the Great Exhibition of 1851, majolica was awarded with the Council medal and became incredibly popular with both Queen Victoria and the general public. It was seen by many as a novel ceramic art form which appealed to the opulent spirit of the Victorian era.

This large and striking vase or wine cooler is a tribute to ‘Bacchus’ (also known as Dionysus), god of the grape harvest and wine. The design was in production from at least 1865 and was produced in a variety of glazes. The vase is a brilliant example of Minton’s large-scale majolica in a Renaissance revival style, with the decorative motifs of leaves and fruit and the strong blue, green, and white glazes echoing Della Robbia’s architectural ceramics.

Shape sketch from The Minton Archive.