Vase and Cover
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This vase, with its cover, was intended as a decorative object. It is made of earthenware, which is fired at the lowest temperatures of all ceramic material and thus although the pattern is a transfer-printed outline, with hand-painted colours, the vase was relatively inexpensive to produce. It was made to appeal to the wide market long established for Mason's distinctive orientalising style.
Design & Designing
Miles Mason (1752-1822), founder of Mason's ceramic works, began his career as a dealer in porcelain. Through this he acquired an interest in Chinese ceramics and this influenced his own ceramic production. The type of patterns common in Chinese export wares, Chinese vase shapes and dragon handles were all typical of Mason's ware and continued so under Miles' sons George Miles Mason and Charles James Mason (1791-1856). In 1813 the latter patented 'the manufacture of English Porcelain', which was marketed as 'Mason's Ironstone' throughout the company's existence. It came to dominate the brothers' output and is especially associated with this type of Chinese-inspired ware.
Historical Association
This vase shape and style of decoration had been produced by the Mason brothers for many years. With the addition of an extra backstamp celebrating the Great Exhibition of 1851, however, it was given a fresh topicality. But Charles James Mason, by then sole owner of the factory - which moved to Daisy Bank, Lane End, Longton, in 1851 - had already been declared bankrupt in 1848. The Mason name, moulds and printing plates were bought out and continued under new owners and the Daisy Bank factory ceased to operate in 1853. The Great Exhibition was a last chance for Mason to sell outstanding stock.
This vase, with its cover, was intended as a decorative object. It is made of earthenware, which is fired at the lowest temperatures of all ceramic material and thus although the pattern is a transfer-printed outline, with hand-painted colours, the vase was relatively inexpensive to produce. It was made to appeal to the wide market long established for Mason's distinctive orientalising style.
Design & Designing
Miles Mason (1752-1822), founder of Mason's ceramic works, began his career as a dealer in porcelain. Through this he acquired an interest in Chinese ceramics and this influenced his own ceramic production. The type of patterns common in Chinese export wares, Chinese vase shapes and dragon handles were all typical of Mason's ware and continued so under Miles' sons George Miles Mason and Charles James Mason (1791-1856). In 1813 the latter patented 'the manufacture of English Porcelain', which was marketed as 'Mason's Ironstone' throughout the company's existence. It came to dominate the brothers' output and is especially associated with this type of Chinese-inspired ware.
Historical Association
This vase shape and style of decoration had been produced by the Mason brothers for many years. With the addition of an extra backstamp celebrating the Great Exhibition of 1851, however, it was given a fresh topicality. But Charles James Mason, by then sole owner of the factory - which moved to Daisy Bank, Lane End, Longton, in 1851 - had already been declared bankrupt in 1848. The Mason name, moulds and printing plates were bought out and continued under new owners and the Daisy Bank factory ceased to operate in 1853. The Great Exhibition was a last chance for Mason to sell outstanding stock.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Ironstone China (stoneware), with moulded, transfer-printed and painted decoration |
| Brief description | Vase and cover of ironstone china, moulded, hand-painted and transfer-printed, made by G.M. & C.J. Mason for the Great Exhibition of 1851, Stoke-on-Trent, c.1850 |
| Physical description | Vase and cover of ironstone china, hexagonal body and lid, with swelling body, domed lid with lion finial and dragon-like handles. Transfer-printed and hand-painted with dragons and clouds, etc, in all colours. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed with 'Mason's Patent Ironstone China', scroll and crown and 'Exhibition of 1851' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The Daisy Bank pottery used several variations of this mark over many years of production. It misleadingly suggested to the public that this type of stoneware was entirely new. Although far from new, Mason's Ironstone China became very popular and is still in production.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made by C.J. Mason at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire |
| Production | Made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 |
| Summary | Object Type This vase, with its cover, was intended as a decorative object. It is made of earthenware, which is fired at the lowest temperatures of all ceramic material and thus although the pattern is a transfer-printed outline, with hand-painted colours, the vase was relatively inexpensive to produce. It was made to appeal to the wide market long established for Mason's distinctive orientalising style. Design & Designing Miles Mason (1752-1822), founder of Mason's ceramic works, began his career as a dealer in porcelain. Through this he acquired an interest in Chinese ceramics and this influenced his own ceramic production. The type of patterns common in Chinese export wares, Chinese vase shapes and dragon handles were all typical of Mason's ware and continued so under Miles' sons George Miles Mason and Charles James Mason (1791-1856). In 1813 the latter patented 'the manufacture of English Porcelain', which was marketed as 'Mason's Ironstone' throughout the company's existence. It came to dominate the brothers' output and is especially associated with this type of Chinese-inspired ware. Historical Association This vase shape and style of decoration had been produced by the Mason brothers for many years. With the addition of an extra backstamp celebrating the Great Exhibition of 1851, however, it was given a fresh topicality. But Charles James Mason, by then sole owner of the factory - which moved to Daisy Bank, Lane End, Longton, in 1851 - had already been declared bankrupt in 1848. The Mason name, moulds and printing plates were bought out and continued under new owners and the Daisy Bank factory ceased to operate in 1853. The Great Exhibition was a last chance for Mason to sell outstanding stock. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.87:1, 2-1992 |
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| Record created | November 3, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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