As poor a reputation as rodents have, they are well represented in majolica. More often than not, rodents play a supporting role to other animals like cats and birds but sometimes they shine on their own.
The most commonly found rodent in majolica is probably the squirrel. Present in designs by Fielding, Sarraguemines, Lonitz, Minton George Jones and countless unnamed potters the squirrel is, as Carrie Bradshaw says, "a rat with a cuter outfit." Who has not seen the George Jones or Minton squirrel nut dishes or one of the many unmarked copies of them? They fill antique stores from coast to coast. A natural form for serving nuts they are always accompanied by a tray with leaves and/or flowers.
Both Lonitz and Minton made life sized squirrel figures in majolica.
Of course squirrels appeared in other context as well. The French made majolica squirrel pitchers.
Fielding made two pitchers with squirrel decoration
There are also numerous representations of squirrels on vases.
There are squirrel figurals to sit on your shelf.
And a squirrel creamer to match the Minton flat iron teapot.
The most commonly found rodent in majolica is probably the squirrel. Present in designs by Fielding, Sarraguemines, Lonitz, Minton George Jones and countless unnamed potters the squirrel is, as Carrie Bradshaw says, "a rat with a cuter outfit." Who has not seen the George Jones or Minton squirrel nut dishes or one of the many unmarked copies of them? They fill antique stores from coast to coast. A natural form for serving nuts they are always accompanied by a tray with leaves and/or flowers.
Minton majolica nut tray   Round George Jones majolica nut server |
Unmarked majolica nut tray Rorstrand majolica nut dish  Antique copy of the George Jones squirrel nut tray |
Wardle majolica nut dish
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| Lonitz majolica squirrel vase |
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| Minton squirrel wall pocket |
Poet Laval squirrel pitcher
Orchies majolica squirrel pitcher
Fielding made two pitchers with squirrel decoration
Fielding majolica squirrel pitcher
Samuel Lear majolica squirrel pitcher
There are also numerous representations of squirrels on vases.
Royal Worcester majolica squirrel vase
There are squirrel figurals to sit on your shelf.
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| Attributed to Lonitz majolica squirrel figure |
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| Attributed to Lonitz majolica squirrel figure group |
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| George Jones majolica figure |
And a squirrel creamer to match the Minton flat iron teapot.
Squirrel creamer from Minton designed by Christopher Dresser
There are squirrel plates and banks and teapots
So if you thought rodents weren't something you'd want sitting on your table or your shelf, remember the majolica squirrel!
*This post has been updated since it was first published.
Copeland majolica vase
*This post has been updated since it was first published.
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