Description: Four Mason's ironstone soup bowls. Three are of one pattern, of four scenes in brown and orange. The fourth plate is decorated with pagodas, bridges, and trees. It is brown and orange with cobalt blue and green around rim.

History: Ironstone ware or most commonly just ironstone, is a type of vitreous pottery first made in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century. It is often classed as earthenware although in appearance and properties it is similar to fine stoneware. It was developed in the 19th century by potters in Staffordshire, England as a cheaper, mass-produced alternative for porcelain. There is no iron in ironstone; its name is derived from its notable strength and durability. Ironstone in Britain's Staffordshire potteries was closely associated with the company founded by Charles James Mason following his patent of 1813, with the name subsequently becoming generic. The strength of Mason's ironstone body enabled the company to produce ornamental objects of considerable size including vestibule vases 1.5 metres high and mantelpieces assembled from several large sections. Antique ironstone wares are collectable, and in particular items made by Mason's.

Provenance: Arthur J Connolly, Naples, FL

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 6.75 | Height(in) = 1.5 | Width(in) = 10.25 | Depth(in) = 10.25

Size of Artwork(in): 1.5 x 10.25"

Artist Name: Masons

Medium: Hard paste.

Circa: Circa 1830

The odd plate seems to have a small amount of restoration on rim.