Their Shell and Seaweed pattern, modeled after a Wedgwood design, is delicately molded and glazed in opalescent shades of pink, grey, and blue, with green seaweed accents. Dinner services, bowls, humidors, and even cuspidors were available, but relatively few have survived. Because of its fragility, it is rare to find undamaged examples of Griffen, Smith, and Hill s marine majolica, making it even more desirable. The Chesapeake Pottery in Baltimore, MD made Clifton, a pattern featuring blackberries and later other types of fruit and flowers. This company also made Avalon Faience, a more delicate design imitating French faience.
Most pieces are well marked and many can be found in antique stores today.
French potters of this period produced remarkably delicate and well made majolica. Interiors of French majolica of the period tend to be teal blue, deep red or occasionally brown. Sarreguemines, Luneville, and St. Clement, well established factories, developed fine majolica rivaling Minton and Wedgwood. Emile Galle, renowned for his innovative carved cameo glass, worked for a time with St. Clement to produce majolica. All is sought by collectors, although pieces signed Minton, Wedgwood, George Jones and Etrusca are most highly valued.