But first, What is it?
I found this very large Tile Mural set into a house wall in the historic hill top town of Deruta, Italy.
It shows, in pictures, the turning, the forming, the painting and finally, the process of firing ceramics in a wood burning kiln.
The mural was copied from the original, a treatsie entitled "The Three Books of the Potters Art" written by Cipriano Picolpaso in 1556. Picolpaso's book describes the different techniques of great ceramic Artists.
Maiolica is hand decorated, tin glazed earthenware.
During the Moorish occupation of Spain, in the 8th century the technique of tin glazed wares was transmitted to Southern Europe via the trade centers on the island of Mallorca, hence the name.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The technique of painting bright colors on pure white background spread from Spain to Italy and Portugal and to Northern Europe. At the beginning of the 16th century Guido di Savino of Castel Durante, Italy, emigrated to Antwerp, Holland and set up a family business.
Castel Durante
Maiolica and Majolica are pronounced the same, with the "j" making a "ya" sound.
The English appropriated Maiolica and changed its spelling to Majolica.
Many experts like to differentiate ceramics, which are produced outside of Italy, by giving them the name Majolica. Most often they are also 3 dimensional in shape and form.
Marie-LanNguyen, Louvre
Best known for his unusual technique of incorporating strange animals, such as snakes and lizards is Bernard Palissy (1510-1590). Palissy popularized a rustic form of ceramic art called Palissy Ware.
So, if you see a lovely and colorful piece of ceramic from Italy it should be called Maiolica or Maioliche (plural). If you are in England it could be called Majolica. If in Austria or Germany it could be called Majolika. If you are in Holland it is probably called Delftware. If you are in France it is probably called Faience. If you are in Spain and in Mexico it is probably called Talavera. And if you are in Turkey it is probably called Iznik.......
Totally confused? Me too.
Warm wishes to all my dear Blogging Friends.
Gina