Majolica Renaissance Ceramic Tile Lesson with Teacher’s Palette Glazes

Clays
Low Fire
Advanced
Ages 14–18
Advanced Techniques

Majolica is the historical term used to describe a decorative ceramic technique of painting with glaze materials on top of an opaque, tin-based white glaze.

It is a process that was first developed in the Middle East to imitate Chinese Porcelain. It was brought across Gibraltar into Spain by the Moors. Spanish potters then began making Muslim-inspired works in this method. Italians imported this ware from the Spanish port of Majorca, calling it maiolica ware. When the French imported it from the Italian city of Faenza, they called it faience. Delft pottery also employs the same technique as Majolica (Maiolica), and is most often represented by blue brushwork on a white background.

Traditionally, the Majolica process involved completely coating terra cotta clay, or red-ware in an opaque white glaze, then painting on top of that unfired glaze with decorative stains and oxides.

AMACO’s low-fire Teacher’s Palette glazes allow you to mimic this historic technique with ease and success in the classroom over any low-fire earthenware clay.

Goals & Objectives

Students will study the influence of the trade industry on pottery, and how this ultimately affected Italian ceramics
during the Renaissance. They will learn about the Moorish influence in Spain and eventually Italy from the early 8th to mid 15th century.
Students will learn how to replicate the historic ceramic decorating technique of “Majolica” using AMACO® TP and TC low-fire Gloss Glazes.
Students will learn how to use geometry to create symmetrical patterns on ceramic tiles, in the style of Italian Renaissance architectural and decorative tile work.
Students will learn how to create and use a template to draw symmetrical and repeating designs.
This lesson is suitable for grades 5-12. May be adapted for all grades.

Step 1

Show students images of both historical Majolica wares and contemporary ceramic art using the Majolica process. Have students loosely sketch their desired symmetrical designs, and a mythical animal of their choice for the center of their tiles. They may create their own imaginary creature by combining two different animals together.

Step 2

Lightly wipe bisque surfaces with a clean damp sponge to remove any dust before glazing.

Write each student’s name on the back with underglaze by brush, an Applicator bottle or an AMACO® underglaze pencil.

Step 3

Glaze each tile with 2-3 even coats of TP-11 Cotton glaze (allow glaze to dry between coats).

Step 4

Use template (link basics lesson) to divide tile into quadrants and position circle.

Step 5

Have students sketch their design onto the tile. All pencil marks will fire out. The inner circle can be a frame for the mythical animal.

Step 6

Use paper plates as a mixing palette. Have students select their color schemes by placing a dollop of each desired TP glaze color onto their plate.

Step 7

Instruct students to start with the lighter and background colors first, and begin to fill in design.

Step 8

Use darker colors or outlines last.

Step 9

Dilute colors with water on the palette to create longer, flowing brushstrokes.

Step 10

Use an appropriate size brush.

Step 11

If desired, black underglaze may be painted last to create a matt outline or definition to the design. Use brush or an 18 gauge Underglaze Applicator containing the underglaze.