The New Student's Reference Work/Majolica

Majolica (mȧ-jŏl′ĭ-kȧ), a decorated kind of enameled pottery made in Italy from the 15th to the 18th century. It is an earthenware, usually of a coarse paste covered with a stanniferous or tin-yielding glaze or enamel. Sometimes it is called Raffaelle ware, from a number of the paintings on it having been copied from the designs of that famous painter. Majolica is generally considered the most beautiful decorated pottery that was ever extensively made, at least during the Christian era. It seems to have been first made on the island of Majorca, of which Majolica is the Italian name.