Part one of my big antique rummage sale haul is focused on ironstone china. This stuff is beautiful. Always filled with character, chippy glaze details, and pure white goodness.
I never collected ironstone because 1. I couldn’t find it and 2. I didn’t really understand what it was. So I decided to start doing research and here is what I found out:
- What is it? Ironstone china, once known as a “poor man’s china”, was made in the 19th century, around 1813. It does actually not contain iron, but was named that because of its strength and durability. It was created because it was a cheaper, mass produced alternative to porcelain. Ironstone was widely sold until the end of the 19th century.
- Is it rare to find? Old white ironstone is still relatively easy to find. Old blue ironstone is scarcer. There are ironstone cake plates (very rare), pitchers, platters, plates, cups, tureens, soap dishes, compotes, and the list goes on and on. They vary in prices, anywhere from a couple of bucks all the way to $1,500 a piece. A lot of nice pieces can be found on Ebay or Etsy for at least $15 or more.
- How do you know its authentic ironstone? Several pieces of authentic ironstone are unmarked, but some English and American factories included the word “Ironstone” in their marks. You can look at the pictures below to see several of the markings that were on my pieces. I also read this valuable piece of information-“Identify and date old ironstone by register marks on the bottom of the piece. Spode, Wedgewood, J&G Meakin, Wood & Sons, Birks Bros. & Seddon, T & R Boote, Turner & Tomkinson as well as other companies all made English ironstone. A great deal of English ironstone was exported to the United States. American ironstone makers included Red Cliff, Knowels, Taylor & Knowels, W.A. Lewis (Galesville NY), and McCoy. Be aware that McCoy was manufacturing well into the 20th century” (hunker.com). Also consider that not all ironstone is marked. Very old ironstone made before 1813 and American white “granite ware” may not be marked.
- Can you put it in the dishwasher? Yes! Because of its strength, it can withstand microwave and conventional ovens and can be washed in a dishwasher. I washed all of my pieces in the dishwasher and they were as good as new. Ironstone china isn’t like normal china, and it can withstand the heat cycle in the dishwasher.
- Watch out! “Learn to spot reproductions. Look for the words such as, “flow blue” stamped on the bottom of the piece. No real piece of flow blue is stamped “flow blue.” The words “iron ware” are also a giveaway. You may also see imitation register marks that appear to be stamped on, rather than fired into the finish” (hunker.com).
So, after learning about ironstone, I landed 30 pieces of ironstone china for $20. All of the pieces were $1.00 or below. Several pieces didn’t have a price, so the person checking out my ironstone set, just told me the item was 10 cents, if it wasn’t priced. TEN CENTS.
Here are the logos that you may find on the bottom of pieces:
I stacked all of my pieces, on a shelf, with all of my Rae Dunn and will pull from them to use at parties or get-togethers.
You can find ironstone and estate sales, rummage sales, thrift stores, and maybe even some of your family members have passed down heirloom pieces of ironstone? If you find some, tag me in your finds on Instagram at @thisoldbrickhouse!
Thanks for reading buddies!
XO
Jenna
https://www.hunker.com/13415286/how-to-identify-old-ironstone