The term cauliflower pottery is applied to pottery made in the shape and color of cauliflowers and other fruits and vegetables. The cauliflower shape for pottery was developed in the 18th century by Josiah Wedgwood, in cooperation with Thomas Bentley and William Greatbach in response to the leaf-patterned porcelain wares being made in his day and growing in popularity. Its distinctive features are its vegetable and fruit shapes and its green and cream colored glazes. Pottery of this form was inspired by an eccentric 16th-century French potter, Bernard Palissy, who used naturalistic motifs in his craft. Examples of cauliflower pottery are usually teapots, bowls, jugs, and tureens. Some of the pieces can also be seen in silver, copper and gold. During the Wedgwood days pottery resembling fruits and vegetables became popular; some pieces took the form of apples, berries, pineapples, pears, melons, asparagus and artichokes, as well as cauliflower. Other colors of enamels used were pink, brown, light blue and purplish blue.
Cauliflower pottery is usually dense, opaque, and durable. Some examples of early cauliflower pieces have a cream body with fruit or vegetable designs on the outside. Cauliflower pottery is closely related to majolica because the cauliflower shape was emulated in the latter half of the 19th century, resulting in the pottery type mentioned. This is evident in the ceramic pieces made by Thomas Minton that caused a furor in Paris during 1855 through an exhibition. At this time new designs were added, such as birds, cupids, lilies, flowers, shells, dolphins, corals and tree branches. The term Palissy for palissy pottery was dropped and Majolica became the popular name for this naturalistic class of pottery and many other pottery began to produce pottery in this style. Therefore, it will not be uncommon to find cauliflower or other fruit-shaped wares called majolica.
There was a time when shapes of fruits and vegetables, as well as bright colors, went out of style; this was during the 1900s through the 1970s. However, during the 1970s and 1980s there was a renewed appreciation for them in pottery and they became popular as garden and kitchen pieces.
Cauliflower pottery has quite a bit of personality. It can be rustic, yet vibrant and charming at the same time. If you like bright and colorful pieces, you might consider choosing cauliflower items as a statement item. This is what cauliflower pottery and majolica are known for. it can also exude an air of comfort where they are conveniently located.