Description: This is a large, 23" high, ironstone vase of Chinese detail. Cobalt blue base filled with scrolling and floral decoration. Four large panels in midsection. Two are pictures of a Samurai warrior fully dressed for battle. Chinese writing frames the left side and top right. Two opposite panels are pictures of a man holding a candle and reading scrolls and writing only in one. There are two orange dragon handles near the top and panels in between with bonsai trees and boxes. Gilt around rim. Glazed inside. An unmarked piece.

History: Miles Mason began his career in 1796 as a china importer in London, England. At that time, Europe was actively engaged in trade with the Orient. The Orient was expressly efficient at producing quality china and porcelain and the extravagant designs streaming from the East were immensely popular throughout Europe. As the production of china became more and more heavily influenced by Oriental imports, Miles Mason made the decision to leave his job as a china wholesaler and open his own porcelain producing factory. In 1804, Mason officially announced his exit from the import business with an article in the London Morning Herald. Through his work as a china importer, Mason amassed considerable wealth. Using his acquired wealth as startup capital, he opened a pottery factory at Lane Delph, Fenton. In 1806, Mason’s factory officially opened and became known as the Minerva Works. Miles Mason solicited his three sons to manage his Fenton factory. 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 that he imported to London in 1796.

Provenance: Arthur J Connolly, Naples, FL

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 13.125 | Height(in) = 23 | Width(in) = 8 | Depth(in) = 8

Size of Artwork(in): 23 x 8 x 8"

Artist Name: Likely Mason's

Medium: Hard paste.

Circa: Circa 1830

Crazing throughout. Original to the piece are several checks inside from rim down. No chips or cracks.