Ashworth Ironstone Three-Piece Tureen Set, English, circa 1872

Outstanding and rare early 19th century Mason's Ironstone (6) piece set consisting of toilet necessities as follows: Large oversized highly decorated pitcher and bowl for storing water and wash basin Pair of chamber pots for evening needs Similarly decorated toothbrush holder, large enough for multiple users Soap dish with removable strainer dish The fact that this rare ensemble has survived intact with no damage for nearly two hundred years is remarkable. It would have been an item owned and cherished by the aristocracy. and enjoyed as an art form because of it's high quality manufacture, in addition to the elaborate and detailed decoration. Also of note is the 8 sided octagonal form of each of the six items (see images). Please observe the elaborate serpent or snake formed handles to the large pitcher and both of the chamber pots (see images). Also worth mentioning is the attention the interior of the bowl receives, with as much decoration applied as the exterior (see image). The interior upper perimeters of all of the items receive the same amount of attention. The pitcher and bowl combination is larger than most that were manufactured during that period, (16" diameter) made possible by the strength of the ironstone. The Mason's mark underneath the items indicates a 1830s manufacture, with the "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" above and beneath the crown in blue. The ironstone process was patented by Charles Mason...

Uniquely decorated porcelain Limoges jar with a wide winged span nude woman and a duck flying out of her hair, perhaps beckoning her to join in the flight. Her legs and feet end as one "a la mermaid". She is quite beautiful and is holding a bouquet of flowers in front of her. The same image appears on the other side. She is hand painted with brown hair, skin tones, with white and black detail to the "butterfly like" double wings. The duck is painted brown and black. Two gold leaf bands circumvents the vessel at the bottom and two thirds up. A blue band above the gold band at the base completes the hand painted decoration of the exterior. The interior of the jar is painted a light colored lime green. The underneath is clearly marked "P L Limoges...