A cheerful Chinese gentleman greets us from his seated position atop the lid of this Masons Ironstone vase. The Masons designers have created the appearance of flower blossoms and petals sprinkled over the buttery yellow ground of the vase, the perfect contrast to the rich jade green and ochre enamels of the  leaf form handles and Chinaman knop. Do not fail to note the additional floral ground pattern on the little fellow's green kimono. 

The major decoration is a series of scenic reserves on the front and back of the vase, the lid, and beneath the handles.  These reserves cover a range of traditional chinoiserie subjects; an elongated version of the traditional pagoda and bridge scene, a boy-in-the-window type garden group, a boy riding a water buffalo, and a noble lady with her servant. 

While any other English manufacturer would have carefully executed and colored such rich, traditional subjects, the Masons designers appear to have quickly dashed off their impressions daubing them with just enough color to engage the viewer.

Lidded vases traditionally carry an air of pomp and formality, often representing one of the primary focal points of mantel top groupings. This piece, however, given  Masons typical loose execution of ground pattern and scenic reserves and the somewhat slaphappy grin of the Chinaman knop, assumes none of those airs -- and thereby totally beguiles the viewer.  We know of few pieces which so effectively sum up the whimsical aspect of Masons Ironstone's appeal.