Masons Ironstone

Mason’s Ironstone Collection

Discover our collection of vintage Mason’s Ironstone, one of the most recognisable names in English ceramics and a firm favourite with collectors of richly decorated British tableware.

The Mason family was involved in the Staffordshire pottery trade from the late 18th century. Miles Mason established a successful ceramics business, while his son Charles James Mason became particularly important to the company's history. In 1813, Charles patented his improved “Ironstone China”, a strong, durable ceramic body that helped establish the Mason name internationally.

Mason’s became especially celebrated for designs inspired by Chinese and Japanese decorative arts. Bold florals, exotic birds, scrolling foliage, cobalt blue, iron red, green and lavish gilding became characteristic of many of its most recognisable wares. These colourful interpretations of Asian-inspired design gave Mason’s pottery a distinctive identity that remains popular with collectors today.

Across its long history, Mason’s produced an enormous variety of jugs, plates, bowls, vases, teapots, serving ware and ornamental ceramics. Well-known patterns and ranges include Mandarin, Chartreuse, Regency, Strathmore, Fruit Basket and Vista, alongside numerous floral, Imari-inspired and transfer-decorated designs.

One particularly recognisable Mason’s form is the Hydra jug, with its distinctive moulded handle and angular shape. Examples were produced in numerous patterns and have become especially collectable pieces of Mason’s decorative pottery.

The Mason’s name passed through several owners during the 20th century and later became associated with the Wedgwood group, but earlier Mason’s Ironstone remains an important part of Staffordshire's ceramic heritage.

Our collection may include vintage Mason’s Ironstone jugs, plates, vases, teapots, tableware and discontinued patterns, ranging from individual replacement pieces to striking decorative ceramics.

Where possible, we research the pattern, backstamp, approximate date and country of manufacture of each piece. Mason’s used many different marks during its long history, making the backstamp an important clue when researching individual items.

Explore the collection and discover more than two centuries of colour, pattern and English pottery history. 🏺🌿