Earthenware, generally terracotta, with opaque white glaze (traditionally a lead glaze made opaque white with the addition of tin oxide) and colored overglaze decoration. Originated from Islamic/Moorish techniques used on the Spanish island of Mallorca, which exported these wares throughout the Mediterranean in the 15th and 16th centuries. The technique was adopted by Italy during the Renaissance, which is when the term maiolica was introduced to describe these brightly decorated wares. Not to be confused with majolica, which is a trade name for an historic English style of brightly glazed earthenware vessels made in the forms of vegetables, animals, etc. Source: Clay: A Studio Handbook