c1820 Masons Ironstone Split Dragon Imari Style Jug

A very nice example of an early Mason’s Patent Ironstone Japanese Imari style decorated Jug, with a handle in the form of a dragon with splayed back legs.

The jug is decorated with the traditional Japanese cobalt blue, ochre red, green on a creamy white background. The design involves flowers, borders and screens. The green is kept for the scales of the hydra or dragon that makes the handle. The Mason’s ink stamp’s details are surprisingly missing from the base, but it is undoubtedly an early Mason’s Jug, probably from the transition of impressed to ink marks.

Condition is very good, with just a little of the green paint having flaked off the handle.

Size: 11 x 16.25 x 16.5 cm (4 ¼ x 6 3/8 x 6 ½ inches)
Weight: 452 g