Antique Victorian Masons Patent ironstone cruet set

Antique BRITISH Victorian
MASONS
Patent Ironstone
cruet set



This set is more than 110 years old!

Perfect condition
Bottom has manufacturer's mark Mason's

View pictures and microscope scans for reference.

Please be aware Microscope scans represents square only 10 millimeters or approx. 1/2 inch on each side
with x 26 magnification
and Microscope scans presented for normally invisible detailed examination



Masons
1796 - Because the Minerva Works was controlled by the Mason family, the factory soon became known as “Masons.” Miles Mason's earliest productions were simply marked with the backstamp “M Mason” and were heavily influenced by the Oriental porcelain. In 1813, Charles James Mason, of Lane Delph in Staffordshire, introduced "Patent Ironstone China." Mason used a mixture of Cornwall clay, ironstone slag, flint and blue oxide of cobalt to produce a hard, opaque, bluish white pottery that had a smooth, glossy finish after glazing and firing.
Today, ironstone is admired and collected for its intrinsic beauty as well as its practicality. Tables are set with gleaming white ironstone, and magazines feature homes with prominent displays of the ceramic ware that was once considered "common". Although "fine china" was thought to be more desirable, the sturdy and less expensive ironstone was favored for "everyday" use.

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