Fabulous Antique Masons Ironstone Medium Sized (7 inch tall) Lidded Prunus Jar/Ginger Jar in the Mandarin Pattern, Circa 1920

I’m continuing my Downsizing of my Ginger Jar/Prunus Jar Collection and have now moved onto my Mason’s Ironstone Ginger Jars, of which I have three.

For sale here is a Fabulous Antique Masons Ironstone Medium Sized (7 inch tall) Lidded Prunus Jar/Ginger Jar in the Mandarin Pattern, Circa 1920

Mason’s were a family of potters trading from circa 1800 to circa 1854, where they were taken over by Messrs. G L Ashworth & Bros in 1861 (they continued to use the Mason’s printed marks and also their moulds and patterns). It became part of the Wedgwood group in 1978 and continued until production ceased in 1997.
Charles James Mason patented Ironstone in 1813, making the company a fortune. Ironstone was developed as a cheaper, mass-produced and more durable alternative to porcelain.

Masons produced Ginger Jars, or more correctly, Prunus Jars in many of their popular patterns including Regency, Strathmore, Blue Mandalay, Brown Velvet, Fruit Basket and the Mandarin pattern as seen here. The jars were produced in four sizes from what I can tell, Miniature, Small, Medium and Large. They were originally a based on a Chinese shape that functioned as a spice storage jar, hence the term Ginger or Prunus jar, but were produced by Mason’s more as a decorative piece, although they can be used for storage – loose tea, tea bags, ground coffee, coffee beans etc.

From my research online, this jar is one of the second largest sizes available, ie: Medium, although this size is sometimes sold online as “Large”, as it is quite large, but I think there are larger ones again! But this one would be larger than most examples and certainly larger than the Willow Pattern ginger jars I have already listed.

The Mandarin pattern, as it’s name suggests, is a Chinese inspired pattern featuring a vase overflowing with exotic multicoloured blooms, printed in rust and hand-painted in Indigo, Rust, Pink, Yellow, Turquoise and Green, and highlighted in Gilt.

The jar and lid are both in very good Antique condition with no chips, cracks, or pattern loss, but there is some minor clean age-related crazing on the lid and near the top, as photographed.

The Jar stands just under 7 inches/ 17.5 cm tall at the highest point. It roughly measures 5.5 inches/14 cm in diameter at the widest point.

The back stamp reads MASON’S PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA “Mandarin” ENGLAND, with a crown and banner. The backstamps are a bit of a minefield, but according to my research the backstamp dates the piece to circa 1920.

A lovely item that doesn’t come up that often, and is a perfect gift for a Collector or Masons Ginger Jars. Even "Replacements.com" doesn't have one of these available, but I found one on Etsy for just €60, not including post, packaging plus customs! See the final photo.

A lovely present for a collector of Mandarin or a well-priced gift for any Mason’s lover! This could be the size you are missing from your Ginger Jar Collection, or this could be the start of a new obsession!

I'll have other Masons Ironstone Ginger Jars coming shortly, see the photos, which show the other two I will be listing.

Check out my other items and more coming soon! Discounts possible for multiple purchases!