Majolica is a general term for pottery glazed with an opaque tin enamel that conceals the color of the clay body. It has been made since the fourteenth century. Today's collector is most likely to find Victorian majolica. The heavy, colorful ware is rarely marked. Some famous makers include Minton (England); Griffen, Smith and Hill (U.S.A.) (marked Etruscan); and Chesapeake Pottery (U.S.A.) (marked Avalon or Clifton). Majolica became popular in many countries. By the 1860s, Gustavsberg (Sweden) had abandoned transfer-printed creamware for majolica. Majolica made by Wedgwood is listed in the Wedgwood category.
