This is a very good early Mason's Ironstone pottery Open Dish, finely hand painted in the very decorative Mandarin pattern, produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, in the George 111rd period, circa 1813-1820.
It is well potted with an oblong profile as a small open serving dish and is slightly wider at one end where a serving spoon would probably lay.
This is a rare shaped dish and even more so in this beautiful Mandarin pattern which is highly collected.
This Dish is beautifully hand decorated in one of Mason's most striking chinoiserie people patterns, called "Mandarin". The pattern is boldly hand painted, over-glaze in many different colored enamels, all in varying shades, over an under-glaze printed outline, with some hand gilded highlights. This pattern is illustrated on page 74 of Mason's pattern book, published by The Mason's Collectors' Club. The base has the printed large crown mark, stating PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA" which is recorded as one of the earliest printed factory marks, which has been color washed in a puce color, all indicating a very early date of circa 1818, as ironstone was only produced by them from 1813, which is late George 111 period.
This is a beautiful and very striking Mason's Dish in a rare shape and exhibits the free flowing quality and boldness of the hand painting that is seen on the early Mason's pieces.
Dimensions:
Height: 1.63 in (4.15 cm)Width: 6.7 in (17.02 cm)Depth: 4.65 in (11.82 cm)
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Good antique condition. Enamels bold & bright. Some base rim nibbles - please see images.