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

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.

The vases are made in an unusual square bottle form, with square bases, tapering square bodies, narrow square necks and original square covers with gilt finials. This form is difficult to find among Mason's Patent Ironstone China pieces, where jugs, covered jars and baluster vases are much more commonly encountered.

The decoration is on a rich mazarine-blue ground, almost entirely covered with fine gilt scale ornament. The gilding is not only used as a highlight: it creates a decorative surface over the blue ground, giving the vases the effect of Oriental lacquer or luxurious textile work.

The design 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 very good condition, with only minor rubbing to the gilding on the top of the cover finial and around the neck rim. The colours, enamel and gilding are very well preserved.

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 very good condition, with very fresh colour, enamel and gilding. Checked under UV light, with no other problematic areas visible.

A pair of early Mason's Patent Ironstone China vases in a difficult-to-find form, 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.