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Glite Dictionary
maiolica

maiolica

9.9
A kind of painted clay pottery with a shiny white surface and bright colors
  • noun
  • /maɪˈoʊlɪkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : maiolica
  • Craftsmen skillfully shaped the clay before applying a glossy maiolica glaze to enhance its design.
  • Italian maiolica
  • maiolica production

Examples

  • When Calisse published his edition, he failed to notice that "Maiolichinus" was a later modification to the original title in the incipit of the principal manuscript, and he did not explain why the text of the poem itself always refers to Majorca as "Maiorica" rather than "Maiolica."

    Academic text (1996)

  • The beautiful maiolica pottery displayed intricate floral patterns and vibrant colors.

  • At the art exhibition, many visitors admired the collection of maiolica from the 16th century.

Synonyms

majolica
vsmaiolica
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A type of decorated clay pot or plate with a bright painted surface

focuses more on the opaque white tin glaze as its defining trait
faience
vsmaiolica
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A kind of pottery with a shiny coloured surface often blue or green

is narrower in focusing on the opaque white tin glaze rather than regional wares

Surface Forms

maiolica singular
maiolicas plural

Etymology

The word maiolica comes from the Italian name for the island of Maiorca, called Majorca in English, because these bright pots glazed with tin first reached Italy through that island long ago. So maiolica now means the colorful, shiny pottery often seen on Italian plates and jars.