Stone china was more durable than creamware or pearlware and closer to Oriental porcelain in appearance, although not translucent. The first patent for such a body was taken out by John and William Turner in 1800. Another patent, for what became known as ‘Ironstone China’, was granted to Charles James Mason (1791–1856) in 1813. In that year he and his two brothers purchased the Fenton Stone Works, which is illustrated in the mark on this vase. Mason remained there until 1848 when he was declared bankrupt, sold the works and moved to the Daisy Bank Pottery in Longton. He recovered sufficiently to exhibit at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and finally retired from business in 1853.

Mason's ‘Ironstone’ (sometimes referred to by the firm as ‘granite china’, quickly became fashionable and maintained its popularity despite competition from stone chinas introduced by Spode, Davenport and other manufacturers. Its strength made it particularly suitable for dinner services, jugs and large ornamental wares, a high proportion of which were decorated with brightly coloured ‘Japan’ or other Oriental patterns. Unfortunately mass production sometimes resulted in poor workmanship and this must have contributed to Mason's downfall. A close look at this immense hall or alcove vase reveals that the enamelling was applied rather carelessly. Nevertheless it is an eye-catching and rare survivor of the nineteenth-century taste for large ostentatious ceramics.