For turn of the century tablewares, the Ashworth potters take a bold step forward in this...

For turn of the century tablewares, the Ashworth potters take a bold step forward in this set of ten dinner plates.  Clean and sleek, the  medium weight white ironstone blanks are devoid of the scalloped profiles and molded ornament found in much of the good tableware of the time. 

However the great triumph is the decoration.  Masons "Dragon" pattern -- already around fifty years old at the time -- becomes exotic, daring and even a bit dangerous executed in  brilliant Chinese red.  What at first looks like a silhouette in red becomes a rich image as one discovers the transfer details of the dragon's head and body showing through the red enamel wash.

Then as now this must have been very exciting tableware for those post-Victorian "young things" yearning to break away from the stiffling conventions of the "older generation." 

Practically any Masons Ironstone collector is familiar with the "Dragon" pattern.  Or...

Practically any Masons Ironstone collector is familiar with the "Dragon" pattern.  Originating in the last years of the family ownership, this 1840's pattern seems to have remained a favorite through the various changes of ownership through the end of the century.  We have offered the pattern in colors ranging from the standard green to a brilliant purple and even yellow.  However none have approached the excitement of these Chinese red dinner plates.