Mason’s Ironstone Lion Mask Chinoiserie Vases and Covers, Circa 1810-20

A very rare and fine Pair of Staffordshire Pearlware Chinoiserie Lion Vases and Covers, of compressed circular form raised up on a turned socle base, beautifully and delicately painted in iron red and gold highlights with rich and expansive Chinese scenes showing Chinese figures at various activities within, beside pavilions and lush vegetation, together with animals including deer, squirrels, rabbits, cranes, sheep and ducks all before elaborate river scenes on which sail sampans and other Chinese junk like ships, before distant islands, on a deep blue ground. The twin applied handles formed as gold lions stepping out of the vase sides one paw resting on an orb- like ball. The slightly domed cover with similar decoration and surmounted by a great gold reclined lion in roaring attitude.

These impressive vases have no parallel in English Pottery and are regarded as the only known examples of their type to be recorded. The body is of pearlware and with the absence of a factory mark it has been impossible to ascribe them to a known manufactory, though Turner or Davenport remain strong possibilities.