What is Masons Patent Ironstone?

Masons Patent Ironstone is a dense, heavy earthenware porcelain alternative patented by Charles James Mason in Staffordshire, England, in 1813. It was designed to resist chipping while imitating luxury Chinese export porcelain.

How were mazarine blue and gilded ironstone ceramics manufactured?

Mazarine blue decoration involved applying a rich cobalt oxide ground glaze before firing at high temperatures. Liquid gold leaf or gilt enamel was subsequently applied over the glaze and fired a second time at lower temperatures to fix the ornamentation.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century Masons ironstone pieces?

Authentic nineteenth-century pieces feature distinctive impressed or printed factory marks on the base, such as Masons Patent Ironstone China. They are characterised by heavy body mass, sharp hand-gilded detail, and a vitreous glaze finish.

How can antique gilded ironstone vases be styled in modern interiors?

Pairing deep cobalt blue ceramics with warm wood consoles, marble surfaces, or brass accents creates visual contrast in modern settings. Displaying garniture pairs symmetrically on mantelpieces or sideboards enhances spatial proportion.

What is the proper method for cleaning and preserving antique gilded ceramics?

Clean overglaze gilding gently using a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive sponges, chemical polishes, or immersion, as overglaze gilding can wear off with friction.

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Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

18th century

For Sale by Ritas Bazaar

Description

An extremely rare pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone China vases and covers, Staffordshire, England, circa 1830–1848, pattern number 1566.

The dating is based on the black transfer-printed Mason's Patent Ironstone China crown mark with ribbon, a mark type associated with the circa 1830–1848 period.

These vases are not in a standard Mason's form. They are made in a highly unusual square bottle shape, with square bases, tapering square bodies, narrow square necks and original square covers with gilt finials. This form is exceptionally difficult to find. We have found only very few comparable examples, which makes this pair much rarer than the usual Mason's jugs, hydra jugs, baluster vases or covered jars.

The decorative quality is outstanding. The vases are decorated on a rich mazarine-blue ground, almost entirely overlaid with extremely fine gilt scale ornament. The gilding is not simply used as a border or a small highlight. It forms a complex decorative surface over the blue ground and gives the vases the appearance of luxurious Oriental lacquer or richly woven textile.

The decoration is in the Oriental / Japanesque taste, with shaped reserves including fan-shaped, circular, rectangular and stepped panels. These contain birds, bamboo, waterfalls, landscapes, floral mon motifs and stylised natural subjects. The decoration combines transfer-printed design with hand colouring, enamelling and extensive hand-applied gilding. The fine gold work over the painted and enamelled surface is one of the strongest qualities of this pair.

Both vases are marked to the base with the black Mason's Patent Ironstone China crown mark and the hand-painted pattern number 1566.

Dimensions:

• Height: 25 cm each

• Width of each side: approximately 10 cm

• Weight: 532 g and 460 g

Condition:

The first vase is in superb condition, with only very minor rubbing to the gilding on the top of the cover finial and around the neck rim. The colours, enamel and gilding are otherwise exceptionally fresh.

The second vase has restoration to the cover. This is visible from the inside of the cover, but is not very noticeable from the outside. The vase itself is in excellent condition, with very fresh colour, enamel and gilding. Checked under UV light, with no other problematic areas visible.

A highly decorative and very rare pair of early Mason's Patent Ironstone China vases, in a form which is extremely difficult to find, with rich mazarine-blue ground decoration, fine hand gilding and pattern number 1566.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.

Physical Dimensions

Height

25cm (9.84")

Width

10cm (3.94")

Depth

10cm (3.94")

Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Masons Mazarine Blue Vases to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1224897

Dealers Internal Reference

B1803

Description

An extremely rare pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone China vases and covers, Staffordshire, England, circa 1830–1848, pattern number 1566.

“

The dating is based on the black transfer-printed Mason's Patent Ironstone China crown mark with ribbon, a mark type associated with the circa 1830–1848 period.

Ritas Bazaar

fig 1. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 1. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

These vases are not in a standard Mason's form. They are made in a highly unusual square bottle shape, with square bases, tapering square bodies, narrow square necks and original square covers with gilt finials. This form is exceptionally difficult to find. We have found only very few comparable examples, which makes this pair much rarer than the usual Mason's jugs, hydra jugs, baluster vases or covered jars.

fig 2. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 2. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

The decorative quality is outstanding. The vases are decorated on a rich mazarine-blue ground, almost entirely overlaid with extremely fine gilt scale ornament. The gilding is not simply used as a border or a small highlight. It forms a complex decorative surface over the blue ground and gives the vases the appearance of luxurious Oriental lacquer or richly woven textile.

fig 3. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 3. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

The decoration is in the Oriental / Japanesque taste, with shaped reserves including fan-shaped, circular, rectangular and stepped panels. These contain birds, bamboo, waterfalls, landscapes, floral mon motifs and stylised natural subjects. The decoration combines transfer-printed design with hand colouring, enamelling and extensive hand-applied gilding. The fine gold work over the painted and enamelled surface is one of the strongest qualities of this pair.

fig 4. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 4. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

Both vases are marked to the base with the black Mason's Patent Ironstone China crown mark and the hand-painted pattern number 1566.

Dimensions:

• Height: 25 cm each

• Width of each side: approximately 10 cm

fig 5. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 5. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

• Weight: 532 g and 460 g

Condition:

The first vase is in superb condition, with only very minor rubbing to the gilding on the top of the cover finial and around the neck rim. The colours, enamel and gilding are otherwise exceptionally fresh.

fig 6. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 6. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

The second vase has restoration to the cover. This is visible from the inside of the cover, but is not very noticeable from the outside. The vase itself is in excellent condition, with very fresh colour, enamel and gilding. Checked under UV light, with no other problematic areas visible.

fig 7. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 7. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

A highly decorative and very rare pair of early Mason's Patent Ironstone China vases, in a form which is extremely difficult to find, with rich mazarine-blue ground decoration, fine hand gilding and pattern number 1566.

fig 8. Pair of rectangular-sectioned Masons Patent Ironstone covered vases decorated in cobalt mazarine blue glaze with gilded fishscale pattern and oriental vignettes. — fig 8. Extremely Rare Pair of Mason's Patent Ironstone Mazarine Blue Ground Vases C.1830-48

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.

Physical Dimensions

Height

25cm (9.84")

Width

10cm (3.94")

Depth

10cm (3.94")

Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Masons Mazarine Blue Vases to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1224897