Vase with lid (one of a pair)

ca. 1826–45

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 516

These two vases are made of a ceramic body introduced in the early nineteenth century that was called by the factory "Mason’s Ironstone China". In fact, a fine white earthenware was employed for "ironstone", but the name given by the firm implied both durability and the elegance of Chinese porcelain. Ironstone could be inexpensively made, and works in this medium were enormously popular throughout the nineteenth century. In addition, the decoration involved painting over transfer-printed designs which was far less expensive that applying decoration entirely by hand. Thus works such as these, despite their imposing size, were much more affordable than comparable porcelain vases with traditional painted decoration.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Vase with lid (one of a pair)
Manufactory: C. J. Mason and Co. (British, 1826–1848)
Date: ca. 1826–45
Culture: British, Fenton, Staffordshire
Medium: Earthenware with transfer-printed and enamel decoration
Dimensions: .1, confirmed: 57 1/2 × 16 1/4 × 16 in., 74.3 lb. (146.1 × 41.3 × 40.6 cm, 33.7 kg)
Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
Credit Line: Purchase, Wrightsman Fellows Gifts, 2017
Object Number: 2017.62.2a, b
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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ca. 1826–45

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