I1ERAMIC STUDIO 
i?9 
DR. SYNTAX DISPUTING HIS BILL WITH THE LANDLADY. 
Among the rarest of Liverpool pitchers are those bearing 
a printed copy of the Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington. 
Sometimes these prints were cut from the pitchers to form 
oval placques, which were used as pictures for wall decoration. 
These, of course, presented a convex surface and were unsuit- 
able for framing, but they suggested a new idea to the potter, 
who proceeded to prepare flat creamware plaques of oval 
form, to the surface of which the black printed portrait was 
transferred. These were usually provided with two perfora- 
tions at the upper end, for suspension. 
FRANKLIN PLACQUE. LIVERPOOL WARE. 
Not only were Washington portraits printed in this man- 
ner, but an excellent likeness of Dr. Franklin as well. One of 
these portraits, owned by Mr. E. Stanley Hart, may be seen 
in the collection of the Pennsylvania Museum. 
Another rare Liverpool device occurs on a pitcher in the 
same collection. On one side is a monument on which is an 
engraved bust of Washington and the inscription " First in 
War, First in Peace, First in Fame, First in Virtue." On the 
right is a winged female figure and on the left a clergyman 
and officer, while beneath, in the foreground, is another officer 
reclining on an American flag which is spread on the ground. 
Around the border of the design are the names of thirteen 
States, including "Pennsylvania" and " Kentucky." On the 
reverse is a symbolical design entitled "An Emblem of 
EMBLEM OP AMERICA. LIVERPOOL WARE. 
America." A female holds an American flag bearing sixteen 
stars. To the left are two Indian braves and at the right are 
medallion heads labeled "Columbus," "Americanos," " Sir W. 
Raleigh," "Dr. Franklin," " G. Washington," "J. Adams," a 
curious combination of historical personages. 
o o o 
MASON'S PATENT IRONSTONE CHINA 
Charles J. MASON, of Hanley, the inventor of the famous 
"Mason's Ironstone China," was a potter of great skill 
and taste, and in 1813 took a patent for his process. So-called 
ironstone china had been made before by the old firm of 
Hicks, Meigh & Johnson, also of Hanley, and an opaque china 
had been made by Spode under the name of Stone china, but 
it seems that Mason's process was different, and in fact in no 
other stone or ironstone china do we find the heavy, highly 
vitrified body, so characteristic of Mason's ware, with its ori- 
ental decoration in brilliant colors. 
In 185 1, for want of capital or for other reasons, Mason 
sold his patent and entire business to Mr. Francis Morley, who 
had married a daughter of W. Ridgvvay, and as partner of Mor- 
ley, Wear & Co., had succeeded to the old concern of Hicks, 
