Game pie dish by Minton's Pottery and Porcelain Factory

Game pie dish 1877

mintonspotteryandporcelainfactory

minneapolisinstituteofart

ceramic, earthenware

ceramic

earthenware

england

decorative-art

This 1877 "Game pie dish" from Minton's Pottery and Porcelain Factory is a striking example of Victorian majolica. Featuring intricate molded details, the dish is designed to resemble a tree trunk with a mushroom lid. The centerpiece of the design are two ducks with a fox peeking out from behind the tree. The use of bright colors and naturalistic motifs, such as ivy and ferns, create a charming and whimsical aesthetic. Majolica, a type of glazed ceramic, was popular in the 19th century for its decorative versatility. This particular dish, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, reflects the artistry and craftsmanship of the Minton factory.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

⋮

This whimsical, decorative serving dish was designed to complement a meal featuring wild game. A staple of Victorian households, this type of ceramic vessel was known as majolica ware, characterized by a dynamic blend of exuberant modeling and rich color glazes. Modeled as the stump of a tree, this game dish features naturalistic ducks and foxes set against leaves and ferns; a mushroom finial completes the playful illusion. Tureens such as these were sold with detachable ceramic liners in which pigeon pie or similar dishes were prepared or cooked. The majolica dishes themselves were intended only as ornamental serving dishes.