In this ironstone sauce tureen, Masons appropriates a traditional oriental melon form for...

In this ironstone sauce tureen, Masons appropriates a traditional oriental melon form for the bowl. They place it in a very up-to-date English double pedestal cradle complete with elaborate molded acanthus handle fittings. Masons decorates this form with their "Pheasant" pattern reflecting a not-too-distant relation with competing Chinese wares. A central cluster of peonies and pheasants adorns the melon ribbed bowl and is repeated beneath the knop, while the Chinese ornament border trims the lid. The dark blue transfer is colored with deep red and amethyst enamels; the handles and knop are executed in cobalt. Often Masons was fond of additional gilt enhancements on this form, however there is no evidence of gilt on any of the cobalt fittings or on the molded acanthus relief at the foot of the pedestals.

Mason's pattern names tend to be somewhat fluid. This pattern is also referred to in the t...

Mason's pattern names tend to be somewhat fluid. This pattern is also referred to in the trade as "Asiatic Pheasant(s)" or "Chinese Pheasant(s)". Our reference comes from Gay Blake Roberts Mason's/The First Two Hundred Years.