Masons Ironstone Cocktail Stick Holder Mandarin Pattern

This is a Masons Ironstone Cocktail Stick Holder Mandarin pattern in excellent vintage condition, dating from the 1920s but pre-1940s. This is one of the first ‘Amber Glaze’ products produced by Masons.

There are no cracks, chips or restoration. It could be used for holding toothpicks, cocktail sticks, matches, cigarettes or fragrant sticks.

Approximate Maximum Dimensions

• 6.2cm (2.44″) Base Length
• 2.9cm (1.14″) Base Width
• Internal measurements ~ 2cm (0.79″) width x 5.6cm (2.21″) length x 5.1cm (2″) depth

Backmark

• Transfer printed red/brown crown and banner (PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA)
• England with the pattern name ‘Mandarin’

This mark is after 1920. ‘MADE IN ENGLAND’ was introduced after 1923.

Please click on the following link for more vintage masons ironstone.

Some History For You

Charles James Mason registered the patent name ‘IRONSTONE’ in 1813 for the ‘Improvement of the Manufacture of English Porcelain, IRONSTONE PATENT CHINA:’ Patent number 3724. The name was soon adopted by competitors, whom were using similar materials.

Contrary to popular belief, Ironstone does not contain iron! The name is derived from its ‘iron-like’ strength and durability.

Ironstone is an earthenware vitreous pottery with stoneware appearance and properties. It was mass produced as a cheaper alternative to porcelain.

In 1922, Mason’s Ironstone introduced Amber Glaze described as ‘a ground colour of the ware, is a soft pale Ivory and the colouring unusually fine.’ Minuet was the first pattern produced in this new glaze and Mandarin soon followed.