Partial Dessert Service, 13 Pieces
1813-1830, finely executed scenes of various buildings and ruins in lush landscapes on well-modeled ware, elaborate heavy burnished gold rims and highlights, place names verso in script under glaze, impressed "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" (Hertford Castle), 5 x 13-1/8 in.; two shaped dishes, handles on two sides (one unnamed; one North Front Hertford Castle), 10-5/8 x 9 in., one with areas of glaze wear on high spots; four shaped dishes with formed handles (The Gate of Kirkham Priory Yorkshire, North Castle Glamorganshire, Remains of Elsham Palace Kent, Luns Tower and the Gate House Kenilworth Castle), 10-3/4 x 8-1/8 in., very minor gilt losses; six plates, (Abbots Langley Church Herts, Castle Campbell Perthshire, Aspley Church Bedforshire, Battle Abbey Sussex, The Old Church at St. Lawrence Herts, Cobham Hall), 9-3/8 in., all with wear to gilding and glaze where previously stacked . Notes: Excerpt from G. M. & C. Mason and Beyond -- the Wares, Chapter 5, by Velma Young: Samuel Bourne 1789-1865 is the artist whose name is usually associated with the very best of this early period's products; in fact, he is the only artist we can name out of the many who must have worked at the Mason factory. Nothing was ever signed by the artists who painted either ornamental ware or the finest of the table services. However, one particularly well-painted dessert service, decorated with named views on the reverse and impressed with the Mason Mark, was sold originally in 1822 by Phillip's, the London auctioneers, during the sale of stock of the 'Late Mr. Mason'. The catalogue of the sale states quite clearly that the service was painted by Samuel Bourne. Luckily, the family which purchased the service originally at auction kept the receipt; thus, when part of this service was sold some years ago, the artist was authenticated. A plate from this service is now in the Raven collection (cat. No. 24).. Provenance: Tennessee Private Collection