Imari-style Masons Ironstone Dinnerware Set
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Ironstone China - Credit for the invention of ironstone china is generally accorded to Charles Mason in 1813. Charles Mason was one of the two sons of Miles Mason who founded the Mason works in 1802, and ran the business with his brother George Mason.
Ironstone was a heavy hard earthenware which was slightly translucent, its strength supposedly coming from a very small quantity of iron slag added to the mixture. The additional strength enabled the company to make larger objects that were not susceptible to breakage.
The company manufactured dinner wares, toilet sets, tureens, jugs and so on, and the most popular patterns were blue and white, floral and Oriental Imari style colours.
The trade name "Patent Ironstone China" was registered by the company in 1813, but the patent was only valid for 14 years and was not renewed, enabling other potteries to use the word "ironstone" in describing their wares.
Mason wares are generally well marked with "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" .
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A Cantonese porcelain cup and saucer. Qing Dynasty, later 19th century, brocade decorated in famille rose enamels with gilt highlights, the saucer with four cloud shaped reserves enclosing flowers with birds and figural domestic scenes, the tapering coffee
A Chinese porcelain stem bowl, having an unusual scalloped edge, the border decorated depicting fish and plant motifs the centre depicting a blue and white five claw dragon the bowl verso decorated with fish, scrolling waves with a six character Guangxu ma
Two similar Cantonese rose medallion export ware dishes, early to mid 20th century, one item marked china in lozenge, of typical rose medallion design with four scrolling cloud shaped reserves, two with figural narrative scenes in pavilions, and two with b
Two Japanese Imari porcelain chargers mid to late 19th century decorated painted blue and iron red enamels Diameters: 30 cm and 35 cm