Mason's Ironstone Vases in Rare Shape, Circa 1830

This set of ironstone porcelain vases was made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, around 1830. The vases have a fairly rare shape, featuring hexagonal bodies raised on pedestal feet with everted rims and two fine folded loop side handles terminating in mask heads on either side of the neck. The main central sections of the vases display two different chinoiserie-influenced patterns on opposite sides, surrounded by very colorful, Imari-style patterns, all vividly hand-painted with typical bold enamels of different colors. The vases also feature very good hand-gilded details. There is a Mason's printed round crown mark on the bases, dating these pieces to circa 1830. The patterns are all illustrated in the book "A Guide to Mason's Patent Ironstone Patterns," published by The Mason's Collectors' Club. Overall, these are rare, decorative, early Mason's Ironstone vases, nearly 200 years old.

Mason's is a renowned English pottery company with a long history of producing high-quality china and ceramics. The company, originally known as "Mason's Ironstone," was founded by Miles Mason in 1813. Mason was a Staffordshire pottery merchant who played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of ironstone china, a type of ceramic known for its durability and affordability. Many Mason’s china patterns are well-collected and retain their characteristic rich colors.

Mason's is particularly famous for its transferware patterns, a technique where a design is engraved onto a copper plate, inked, and then transferred onto the ceramic surface. This process allowed for intricate and detailed designs to be reproduced efficiently. Mason's is celebrated for its skillful use of transfer printing to create elaborate and colorful designs. Many of their patterns depict scenes, landscapes, and floral motifs, often inspired by Chinese and Asian art, which were highly fashionable during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The company produced a wide range of patterns over the years, including some limited-edition and collectible series. Each pattern often had multiple color variations, adding to the diversity of their offerings. Mason's china, especially older and rarer pieces, is highly sought after by collectors. Mason's china can be found in antique shops, auctions, and online marketplaces, with values varying depending on factors like rarity, age, and condition.

Dimensions:

First vase: Height 23.5 cm, width 15.5 cm, depth 13 cm, weight 770 grams.

Second vase: Height 24.2 cm, width 15.5 cm, depth 13 cm, weight 889 grams.

Condition:

Minor loss of gilding on the handles, consistent with age.

Otherwise, excellent antique condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.