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Masons The Islington Pottery was founded by Miles Mason in 1792 in Liverpool. It operated under the names, "Victoria Pottery" and "Minerva Works" until 1816. Over the years various Masons operated the business, including George Miles Mason, Charles James Mason and William Mason. France Morley took over in 1848 and G. L. Ashworth bought out the firm in 1862. During the Miles Mason period, lovely porcelain was produced. When they patented the word, "Ironstone" in 1813, they produced, and were famous for their brightly colored stoneware or "Ironstone" table wares and decorative items. The earliest marks (1813 - 1825) on "Masons Ironstone China" were impressed. Masons then they went to the well known, printed, round and angular crown mark. When Ashworth took over in 1862, they quite frequently used the Ashworth marks, but they soon went back to using the Masons marks, as they do to this day. Mason's ironstone is highly regarded and is very collectable. |