G.M. & C.J. Mason
C.J. Mason & Co.

The history of the Mason family of potters is overed extensively elsewhere. The brothers George and Charles Mason are listed at Lane Delph, Fenton in directories between 1818 and 1822 and then C.J. Mason & Co. in 1834 and 1835. Charles James Mason is also listed later between 1846 and 1854. Godden gives the firms' dates as G.M. & C.J. Mason 1813-29, Charles James Mason & Co. 1829-45, and Charles James Mason c.1845-48 (and 1851-54).

Eight different moulded jug designs have been recorded, listed below in alphabetical order although only one bears a factory title. None of the designs were published and they all pre-date the registration system. The jugs usually have either a standard crown and drape printed mark (for "Mason's Patent Ironstone China") or a printed vignette "Fenton Stone Works" mark. Variants of both marks exist and the marks illustrated below are typical examples.

Babes in the Wood (not titled) Design not published or registered. The same design is known by Samuel Alcock & Co., Bradbury, Anderson & Bettany, Cork & Edge, and probably others. Marks: printed "FENTON STONE WORKS" mark The source for the design is known to be an engraving titled "The Children in the Wood" after J.H. Benwell and W. Westall, which appeared in the Art-Union for February 1847.
Biblical Scenes (not titled) Design not published or registered. Marks: printed crown and drape mark "MASON'S / PATENT IRONSTONE / CHINA" Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/439
Bird's Nest (not titled) Design not published or registered. Jim McAuliffe has pointed out that the panels of oriental birds vary. Marks: printed angular crown and drape mark or printed "FENTON STONE WORKS" mark Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/438; Hughes 1/49
Boar and Stag Hunt (not titled) Design not published or registered. Marks: printed angular crown and drape mark or printed "FENTON STONE WORKS" mark Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/196; Hughes 1/55 and 177; Hughes 2/223; Rumsey 139
Falstaff (not titled) Design not published or registered. Marks: angular crown and drape mark Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/197-99; Hughes 1/11; Rumsey 155 The two scenes show Falstaff in King Henry IV and the Merry Wives of Windsor, copied from engravings in Boydell’s Graphic Illustrations of the Dramatic Works of Shakspeare (c.1804) (the first in mirror image)
Silenus (not titled) Design not published or registered. The design is more common by Minton and is also found potted in brown salt-glazed stoneware by both Doulton & Watts and Stephen Green of Lambeth. Marks: printed angular crown and drape mark "MASON'S / PATENT IRONSTONE / CHINA" Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/195; Hughes 1/37b
"Toho" Design not published or registered. Marks: printed angular crown and drape mark with title on a moulded panel Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/193-94; Hughes 1/54
Willow Pattern (not titled) Design not published or registered. A version of the popular Willow pattern moulded on a hexagonal body. Marks: printed "FENTON STONE WORKS" mark Illustrations: Mason Manufactory Marks, page 28

Credits: Dick Henrywood; Jim McAuliffe; Paul Mooney; Glenville Tucker; Dreweatt-Neate, Newbury; Gildings Auctioneers Ltd, Market Harborough.