Object Description
This is a superb very rare, fine quality ironstone Two Handled Pot, all beautifully hand painted, made by Mason’s Patent Ironstone China Company, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1820.
This piece is substantial and heavily potted, weighing about 2.5 Kg un-packed.
The handles are very strongly potted and this piece is quite suitable for use or display, perhaps as a wine bottle cooler, vase or centre piece.
The piece is all richly hand decorated on a deep mazarine blue ground, with various birds, grasses and flowers, which have all been richly hand-decorated, over-glaze in pastel shade enamels and with much gold (gilt) detail as per the images. There is additional gilded detail to the rims and handles.
This is a rare shape and pattern and is known as the: Gold Posies, enamelled Birds and Butterflies, as illustrated on a Wine Cooler on Page 215 of the book Mason’s China and The Ironstone Wares, by Geoffrey Godden, published by The Antique Collectors Club.
An illustration of this fine piece is shown in the above book , page 185, in a different pattern.
The piece is unmarked to the base as was often the case.
Overall a very rare superb quality piece of Masons Patent Ironstone pottery with multiple uses.