Sunflower Majolica

I have mentioned before in this blog the influence of the Aesthetic Movement on the majolica designs of American and English majolica.

The lily and the sunflower both were representative of the movement but the Sunflower in particular has always been the flower most people associate with it. More than anyone else, Oscar Wilde is responsible for the popularity of the movement in both the US and in Great Britain as can be see by some of the decorative arts from the period.

Oscar Wilde

Royal Worcester Porcelain Co. Oscar Wilde teapot

Oscar Wilde trade card

The "flowering" of the Aesthetic Movement largely took place during the 1880's. a time of prodigious majolica manufacture. Because of this, the Sunflower has appeared all over many majolica designs. The relationship between the flower and Oscar Wilde was so strong in fact that "Oscar Wilde" was the name commonly used in the Etruscan Works when referring to pieces in their Sunflower line.

Samuel Lear Sunflower oyster plate

Etruscan Majolica Sunflower syrup

Samuel Lear majolica Sunflower jug

Wardle majolica Sunflower mustache cup

Etruscan Majolica Sunflower pitcher

Samuel Lear majolica Sunflower cuspidor

Wardle majolica Sunflower cuspidor

Wedgwood majolica sunflower plate

Wedgwood majolica sunflower platter

Minton majolica sunflower tray

Wedgwood majolica umbrella stand

Fielding majolica umbrella stand

George Jones majolica sunflower jug

Wardle majolica Sunflower teapot

Wardle majolica Sunflower jug

Wardle majolica sunflower basket

Tenuous Majolica sunflower butt

Villeroy & Boch majolica sunflower dessert stand

Wedgwood Aesthetic Movement majolica jug

Massier majolica sunflower wall pocket

Wedgwood majolica sunflower butter dish

Combined with the country look so popular in decoration today, these pieces are more popular than ever and generally bring prices higher than other flower-related items.