Porcelain Part Tea Set Blue Seaweed or Fibre Pattern Possibly CJ Mason c 1845

An English porcelain ( bone china) transfer ware  tea service with a seaweed pattern and gilded highlights dating from the mid-19th century circa 1835 to 1845, when this particular type of fibre or sea weed pattern was very fashionable. This is a part tea service - ten cups and saucers and a square shaped plate - for bread and butter or cake. 

The design is printed in a light, greyish blue with some gilded highlights to what look like Knotted Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) sea weed. The cups have a low relief moulded design that is partially obscured by the transfer printed pattern.

There are no maker's marks, just a painted pattern number 223, on the back of the saucers. A number of makers including Coalport, Worcester, Minton similar transfer printed pattern. C. J Mason has a recorded cup also with a broken loop handle and similar pattern. See plate 840 on page 140 of a Compendium of British Cups by Michael Berthoud.

The cups stand 2 3/4 inches high to the top of the handles and the saucers have a diameter of 5 3/8ths inches. The large plate is 8 3/4 inches wide.

Charles James Mason and Co operated from Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England from 1826 to 1848.

The set is in good antique condition with some rubbing to the gilding, a short hairline from the foot of one cup, a small glaze bruise to another and a glaze chip to another, both near the foot rims. The large plate has a little body discolouration. Please see the images. Together it weighs 3.1 kg.

This is a nice set for display on a dresser, for example or usable for afternoon teas etc. This is a great item for any collector of English 19th century tea cups and saucers or Mason's pottery and porcelain.

Free UK packaging and delivery, when purchased at the listed price,  International postage prices at cost.