What is Masons Ironstone Mandarin pattern ceramic?

Masons Ironstone Mandarin patterns feature Chinoiserie figurative scenes inspired by Chinese export porcelain. Produced predominantly during the early nineteenth century, these designs incorporate vibrant hand-enamelled details, diaper borders, and traditional Chinese motifs.

What materials were used to construct Regency ironstone ceramics?

Regency ironstone was manufactured using a combination of slag, flint, clay, and ironstone, resulting in a dense, vitreous earthenware body. Pieces were decorated with transfer prints, hand-painted polychrome enamels, and gilded accents.

How can authentic nineteenth-century ironstone pieces be identified?

Authentic nineteenth-century ironstone often features printed or impressed manufacturer marks on the base, such as Masons Patent Ironstone China. Authentic items display heavy weight, distinct cobalt blue glazes, and characteristic surface crazing or wear to the enamel decoration.

How can an antique ceramic tureen be styled in a modern interior?

An antique tureen functions as a decorative focal point when placed on a sideboard, dining table, or open kitchen shelving. Incorporating colourful Chinoiserie ceramics creates visual interest and historical texture against contemporary backdrops.

How should antique ironstone with gilt decoration be cleaned and preserved?

Antique ironstone with hand-painted enamels and gilding should be washed gently by hand using warm water and mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges, chemical cleaners, soaking, and dishwashers to prevent fading or stripping the gilt layer.

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Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

Name: Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1123580
Price: 600 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Gillers Antiques Ltd

Description

An antique and exceptionally rare Mason's Patent Ironstone tureen with a domed lid, featuring the exquisite Green Mandarin pattern, created in 1815. The piece showcases a Chinese-inspired design with a traditional chinoiserie scene, meticulously hand-painted with fine details. A similar scene is repeated on the lid, inside the tureen, and along the interior rim.

The tureen is adorned with intricate floral and scroll motifs in green, pink, blue, and gold, complemented by rich cobalt blue handles shaped as rabbit heads and a wave-shaped finial. The underside bears the 'PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA' mark under a crown in black, while the same mark appears in red on the lid. The color of the mark varied depending on the final paint used in the factory.

Mason's is a renowned English pottery company with a long history of producing high-quality ceramics and china. Originally founded as Mason's Ironstone by Miles Mason in 1813, the company became famous for its transferware patterns—a technique in which a design is engraved onto a copper plate, inked, and then transferred onto the ceramic surface. This method allowed for intricate and highly detailed designs to be replicated efficiently.

Some of the most iconic Mason's patterns include "Mandarin," "Vista," and "Regency," often inspired by Chinese and Asian art. Over the years, the company produced a vast range of patterns, including limited-edition and collectible series, many of which had multiple color variations. The tureen offered here was among Mason's more expensive pieces at the time.

A similar tureen is displayed in the Victor Hugo Museum in Paris. Victor Hugo was known to use Mason's products frequently, and his personal diaries contain multiple references to the purchase of Mason's dishes, plates, and pots. On September 30, 1861, he noted the purchase of a "Masson-Chine service" by his maid Suzanne for 72 francs—equivalent to approximately 400–500 USD today (Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France. Départements des Manuscrits. NAF 13451. f. 48r).

Mason's products are exhibited in prestigious museums worldwide, and older, rarer pieces are highly sought after by collectors. For enthusiasts, Mason's china represents not only exceptional beauty and craftsmanship but also an important historical legacy in the world of English ceramics.

Dimensions:

Height: 14.5 cm

Width: 21 cm

Depth: 12 cm

Weight: 856 grams

Condition:

Small chip on the top rim (see photo).

Otherwise, excellent antique condition.

Please carefully examine the accompanying photographs, as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you.

The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Masons Ironstone Tureen to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1123580

Description

An antique and exceptionally rare Mason's Patent Ironstone tureen with a domed lid, featuring the exquisite Green Mandarin pattern, created in 1815.

“

The piece showcases a Chinese-inspired design with a traditional chinoiserie scene, meticulously hand-painted with fine details.

Gillers Antiques Ltd

A similar scene is repeated on the lid, inside the tureen, and along the interior rim.

fig 1. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 1. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

The tureen is adorned with intricate floral and scroll motifs in green, pink, blue, and gold, complemented by rich cobalt blue handles shaped as rabbit heads and a wave-shaped finial. The underside bears the 'PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA' mark under a crown in black, while the same mark appears in red on the lid. The color of the mark varied depending on the final paint used in the factory.

fig 2. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 2. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

Mason's is a renowned English pottery company with a long history of producing high-quality ceramics and china. Originally founded as Mason's Ironstone by Miles Mason in 1813, the company became famous for its transferware patterns—a technique in which a design is engraved onto a copper plate, inked, and then transferred onto the ceramic surface. This method allowed for intricate and highly detailed designs to be replicated efficiently.

fig 3. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 3. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

Some of the most iconic Mason's patterns include "Mandarin," "Vista," and "Regency," often inspired by Chinese and Asian art. Over the years, the company produced a vast range of patterns, including limited-edition and collectible series, many of which had multiple color variations. The tureen offered here was among Mason's more expensive pieces at the time.

fig 4. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 4. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

A similar tureen is displayed in the Victor Hugo Museum in Paris. Victor Hugo was known to use Mason's products frequently, and his personal diaries contain multiple references to the purchase of Mason's dishes, plates, and pots. On September 30, 1861, he noted the purchase of a "Masson-Chine service" by his maid Suzanne for 72 francs—equivalent to approximately 400–500 USD today (Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France. Départements des Manuscrits. NAF 13451. f. 48r).

fig 5. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 5. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

Mason's products are exhibited in prestigious museums worldwide, and older, rarer pieces are highly sought after by collectors. For enthusiasts, Mason's china represents not only exceptional beauty and craftsmanship but also an important historical legacy in the world of English ceramics.

fig 6. A Regency Masons ironstone tureen decorated in the Green Mandarin chinoiserie pattern with cobalt blue handles and a gilded scrolling finial. — fig 6. Extremely Rare Mason's Ironstone Tureen in Green Mandarin Pattern, C. 1815

Dimensions:

Height: 14.5 cm

Width: 21 cm

Depth: 12 cm

Weight: 856 grams

Condition:

Small chip on the top rim (see photo).

Otherwise, excellent antique condition.

Please carefully examine the accompanying photographs, as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you.

The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Masons Ironstone Tureen to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1123580

About the Dealer

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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