MASON'S PINK VINTAGE SALT AND PEPPERS VISTA PATTERN

This Earthenware Salt & Pepper Set Was Manufactured by the Masons- Ashworth’s Factory which continued with the Mason’s Marks into 1980s. The pattern name for this Salt & Pepper Set is “Vista” and it dates approximately 1945. The Shakers measure 4” High by 2” Wide (at the top section). This is a “Pink & White” Transfer Print on an Earthenware Medium.

NOTE: The earlier versions of the Masons-Ashworths, as these are, are a much deeper and more vibrant pink; the more current versions are much paler pink. This pastoral scene fits the Category of “Romantic” Staffordshire. It is a rendition of the Early Staffordshire Transferwares of the 1845-1870 Period in Transfer Printing.  
                                                    
COMMENT: This Pastoral Scene, namely “Vista” was first produced by Francis    Morley, a Staffordshire potter who operated 1845-1858 at Sheldon, Hanley, England. These Mason’s Salt & Pepper Shakers in essence are not “Real Ironstone” rather a form of Earthenware that by many factories is referred to as “Semi Porcelain”.

NOTE: For further information about “Transferware” & “Romantic     Staffordshire,” click MEDIA to read our published articles/blogs.

CONDITION: These Salt & Pepper Shakers are in great condition except for what appears as a “flake” at the base on one of the shakers which is possibly a factory defect during production. This imperfection is illustrated in the last three photos. Other than this, they are in perfect condition and have been priced accordingly. Therefore this item is being offered in "as is" condition.

HISTORY OF MASON FACTORY: Originally this factory was started by George Miles & Charles James Mason, Lane Delph in the Staffordshire District of England in 1813 and existed up to 1829. This would have been one of the top founding “fathers” of British potteries at the time. This is the first potter who founded “PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA” in 1813 and “impressed” his pieces; “MASON’S PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA”. After 1820, they used the painted mark until 1829.

This factory was credited for the discovery of the ingredients to produce this very durable ironstone china that could withstand temperature changes in the coal driven kilns of the time and hold up for the firings that were required after each different color was applied. Each different color required a different firing temperature, which meant that, one piece may have required a number of firings depending on how many colors were applied to the subject. This also meant that the pottery could sag and become warped and could split during the repeated firings. We must remember that in those years, it could take up to three or four weeks to attain the proper firing temperature in the kilns before putting the pottery into them. The pottery (ironstone in this case) if it was not created properly or aged enough with the proper ingredients, could end up becoming a disaster in the firing. Masons had mastered this problem and at the time attained prominence in their field. They were now at the zenith and were competing with Spode and his “Felspar Porcelain” product, as well as John Ridgway with his “Imperial New Stone China”, and Thomas Mayer, with his “Opaque Stone China”. All these types of Ironstone China were fabulous in quality and each boast of how wonderful his product was. They were all arriving at the same goal almost simultaneously, however Mason seems to have to followed Spode with his Felspar product, and preceded Ridgway, Mayer and some others.

The Masons had been in business for years and around 1862 sold out to George. L. Ashworth & Bros. (LTD.) who carried on with similar marks and produced excellent quality china. Their products are treasured for their quality as well. However their ingredients have changed over the years and cannot surmount the former product of the early Charles Mason factory.

The only problem I have with many dealers is that they will try to sell this product as the “real early” Mason’s Patent Ironstone…of which this is not. Early pieces of George and Charles Mason are highly prized and are in top notch private collections and museums. These newer pieces are but a fraction of the cost of the 1813-1829 period pieces.

Many pieces found today are not the early original pieces but rather copies of the earlier pieces. The various Mason’s printed marks of various colors have been carried on throughout the 1960’s and even more current. So getting to know the early authentic examples is the key to knowing whether or not you are buying the “real” or a “copy.”

The early pieces are highly sought after and prized. The look and feel is entirely different. Unfortunately many dealers are misleading when they sell these Mason Wares.