Mason Ironstone Part Dinner Service of Thirty Four Pieces, Japan Basket Pattern

Details

Description

The Triumph of English Transferware: Mason’s Ironstone in Vibrant Imari

This handsome Mason's Ironstone Part Service offers a vibrant glimpse … Read more The Triumph of English Transferware: Mason’s Ironstone in Vibrant Imari

This handsome Mason's Ironstone Part Service offers a vibrant glimpse into the popular ceramics produced in Staffordshire, England, during the Circa 1835 period. The set features the highly sought-after Japan Basket pattern, which is executed in the brilliant and distinct Imari palette of rich underglaze cobalt blue, rusty iron red, and lavish gilding.

The pattern centers on a stylized floral arrangement, often featuring large chrysanthemums and peonies emerging from or beside a basket, all set against a white ground. The scalloped edges of the plates, known as a "feather edge" or "flowered edge," add to the decorative density. This striking combination of colors and patterns exemplifies the enduring British fascination with Japanese and Chinese export porcelain designs, which were skillfully adapted for the European market using the innovative and durable Ironstone body.

Historical Context:

The term "Ironstone China" refers to a type of earthenware patented by Charles James Mason in 1813. Mason created a dense, opaque, and extremely durable ceramic body that was much stronger than standard earthenware, making it ideal for large dinner services intended for frequent, rigorous use by the burgeoning middle and upper classes. This durability was key to its success and longevity.

The Imari palette and Japan Basket pattern were part of the widespread European adoption of 'Japanning' or 'Oriental' styles, which became immensely fashionable in the early 19th century. Mason's factory excelled at translating these exotic motifs onto their robust Ironstone body, making luxurious, colorful, and highly resistant dinner services accessible. This service, comprising 34 pieces, is a superb example of the firm's contribution to Victorian-era dining and the lasting influence of Asian aesthetics on British industrial ceramic production.

Service Composition (34 Pieces):

Ten Dinner Plates (9 1/2 inches diameter)

Twelve Soup Plates (10 inches diameter)

Ten Side Plates (7 1/2 inches diameter)

Two Serving Dishes (10 1/2 inches wide x 8 inches deep x 1 1/4 inches high)

References:

Godden, Geoffrey A. Mason's Patent Ironstone China and the Related Wares. Suffolk: Antique Collectors' Club, 1971. (The definitive work on the subject, covering patterns, marks, and the historical context of the Mason's factory.)

Copeland, Robert. Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs after the Chinese. New York: Rizzoli, 1990. (Provides context on the broader trend of British factories adapting Chinese and Japanese patterns like Imari for the market.)

Snyder, Jeffrey B. Mason's Ironstone: The China Trade and the English Potter. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2004. (Focuses on the export and trade aspects of Ironstone.)

(Ref: NY10841-nuir) See less