majolica

American  

[muh-jol-i-kuh, muh-yol-] / məˈdʒɒl ɪ kə, məˈjɒl- /

noun

1. Italian earthenware covered with an opaque glaze of tin oxide and usually highly decorated.

2. any earthenware having an opaque glaze of tin oxide.

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majolica British  

/ məˈdʒɒlɪkə, məˈjɒl- /

noun

1. a type of porous pottery glazed with bright metallic oxides that was originally imported into Italy via Majorca and was extensively made in Italy during the Renaissance

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Etymology

Origin of majolica

1545–55; ear-lier maiolica < Italian < Medieval Latin, variant of Late Latin Mājorica Majorca, where it was made

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

majolica

Brent Poer and Beau Quillian’s historic home is an exuberant collage of Hermès plates, Black Forest antlers, Staffordshire porcelain figurines, majolica plates and art that has been lovingly curated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

Her technique is the centuries-old majolica, in which she fires her creatures and then dips them in a tin oxide glazing solution that lends an opaque white finish.

From New York Times ● Aug. 19, 2021

Irwin's porcelain and earthenware "Dusky Seaside Sparrow" borrows the manner of Italian majolica portrait plates to pay homage to a species forced into extinction when development destroyed its habitat and nesting grounds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2017

They unloaded household items and equipment: plain white-glazed majolica dishes from Spain, earthenware olive jars that carried vinegar, wine, oil or water, armor, nails.

From The New Yorker ● Apr. 9, 2016

Besides, and this is a great consideration in cities, all the majolica ornaments and tiles, which are so suitable to this style of decoration, will wash, and be bright and clear for ever.

From Household Organization by Florence Caddy

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