This is a stunning Sauce Tureen by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the rare Fence, Rock & Blue Willow hand painted gilded pattern, dating to the very early period of Mason's ironstone, circa 1818.
 
This is a rare shaped Tureen
 
Both the main body and lid are very well potted with moulded detail. The tureen base has two side handles. The lid has a shaped finial knob to the top and a side cut away for a serving spoon.
 
It is decorated in one of Mason's beautiful hand painted chinoiserie fence patterns called; Fence, Rock and Blue Willow pattern, which is a striking pattern with a willow above a large central flower. The lid displays a finely decorated Maltese cross border, as documented on page 95 of:- A Guide to Mason's Patent Ironstone Patterns, circa 1813-1848, published by The Masons Collectors' club. The pattern would have been transfer printed initially with an outline, then all hand-painted in bold enamels, with a particularly colourful and distinctive border design and additional gold hand gilded highlights.
 
This piece is fully marked to both the tureen and its lid with the fully recorded early impressed mark stating MASONS PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA in two lines, pointing to a very early date of Circa 1813 to 1820, with Mason's ironstone only starting in 1813. Overall a fine example of early Mason's Ironstone in a rare shape and stunning detailed pattern.
Dimensions: 
Height: 17.15 cm (6.75 in)Width: 19.05 cm (7.5 in)Depth: 13.09 cm (5.15 in)
Condition: 
Very good antique condition. NO Damage, NO Restoration. Please see images.