Pair of Ashworth Brothers Real Ironstone China Dinner Plates transfer printed & hand coloured in an Imari style pattern number B 1304 antique c 1870

An extremely attractive and highly collectable pair of antique Ashworth's real ironstone china round shaped dinner plates with scalloped rims, decorated with an Imari inspired intricate oriental design. Ashworth's reference number for this pattern is B 1304 as marked on the back of each in iron red enamel.

These lovely plates have been transfer printed in black and hand coloured over a deep cobalt blue underglaze ground with two differing pairs of small Chinoiserie-style motifs in iron-red greens, puce and orange with lavish amounts of gilt detailing and a chrysanthemum floral border.  The cavetto has a Chinese inspired iron red and gilt inner border with five stylised cloud scroll motifs. The central panel with gilt floriate pattern on pure white ground. This border pattern is sometimes seen with the Table and flower pot pattern in the centre in place of the gilded floriate motif.

This is a 19th century Mason’s ironstone dinner plate produced at the time when Mason's was owned and controlled by George Leach Ashworth after the bankruptcy of Charles James Mason in 1848 and subsequent ownership by Francis Morley. G.L. Ashworth and Bros. (Ltd) operated from Broad Street, Hanley, Staffordshire, England from 1862 until 1968. 

Marks - One with a red printed 'A Bros Real Ironstone China' backstamp, this mark dates to the 1862-1890 period during the reign of Queen Victoria in the third quarter of the 19th century. Both have impressed marks: Ashworths Real Ironstone China together with a painted pattern number 'B 1304' .

The plates are 10 1/8 inches (25.5 cm) diameter and stands approx 1 1/8 inch (2.8 cm) high, they weigh 1358 grammes unpacked. 

They are in excellent antique condition without any damage or restoration, very minor wear to the gilding, commensurate with age and little use.  

It is a very attractive item for display or use and will be of particular interest to collectors of antique Ashworth's , Mason's, Francis Morley, real Ironstone China and hand coloured English transfer-ware.

Free UK postage, international shipping at cost.