A lovely set of Mason's Patent Ironstone tableware, consisting of eight 9-3/8" diameter luncheon plates, eight 9-1/2" diameter soup plates, two 7" x 5" x 5-1/2"H covered soup tureens each with a 8-7/8" x 6-3/8" liner, and a large serving platter, 17-1/4" x 13-1/2". Each piece is marked with an impressed mark on the underside and one of the tureen lids is also marked with a beautiful transfer image of a coat of arms with a crown beside which are a lion and a unicorn. (see detail photograph). Each piece is hand decorated with an Oriental inspired design with flowers and vines around a pool of water. The background color is a glossy robin's egg blue. There is gilt tracery around the flowers, the rims, and each handle of the tureens. The handles at the sides of the tureens are in the shape of an animal's face.
George Miles Mason and Charles James Mason took out their patent for ironstone China in 1813 and went into production in the Staffordshire factory fouded by their father, Miles Mason. Distribution was very successful, especially in America. The ironstone material was more durable than porcelain and less expensive to produce. By 1840 the factory listed over 3000 patterns, the most popular of which was an imitation of Japanese Imari designs. This factory closed in 1848, thus limiting the years of production to 35 years.
2,000/3,000 Sold $2,185.00
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