Is Your Ironstone Real? A Quick Vintage Ironstone Guide
Whether you’re new to ironstone or an ironstone collector, here are some quick ways to make sure ironstone is real and not a fake!
Vintage and antique ironstone has gained popularity in the decorating and thrifting communities over the last decade. It’s considered classic and desirable (I agree!). While vintage ironstone can often be found at thrift shops, antique stores, and is sold by online sellers like Etsy and Ebay, you do have to keep your eyes open for fakes and reproductions! Sometimes sellers don’t even realize they’re selling you a fake.
First let’s define a few terms.
What’s the difference between a reproduction and a fake?
For the purposes of this blog post I’m defining a reproduction as a piece that was made in the style of vintage ironstone but doesn’t pretend to be vintage or antique. It is a modern piece and is marketed as such.
I label some pieces as “fakes” because they are intended to deceive. When an item is made to look old and is marketed as old when it is a modern piece, that is deceptive and the piece is a fake.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a modern reproduction!
Modern reproductions are beautiful too and there is absolutely nothing wrong with liking them! The trouble comes when a buyer thinks they are getting something vintage and they’re not. The entire purpose of this post is to inform you so that no one takes advantage of you either purposefully or mistakenly.
What’s the difference between vintage and antique?
It depends on who you ask, but it is generally accepted that vintage is 40 years old or older and antique is at least 100 years old. However, places like Etsy only require items to be 20 years old or older to be labeled as vintage, so keep that in mind when shopping!
What is ironstone?
Ironstone, also called “stone china,” “semiporcelain,” and other names, is a special type of pottery that was developed with the intent to make beautiful yet highly durable pieces more widely available. It was “harder than earthenware and stronger than porcelain” (Kowalsky & Kowalsky 1999). It was first developed around 1800 by William Turner, but patented as “Mason’s Patent Ironstone” by Charles James Mason in 1813 in Staffordshire England. Mason’s patent only lasted 14 years and many other makers quickly jumped on the ironstone wagon and began to produce their own varieties using their own formulas.
What types of pottery are considered ironstone?
The oldest types of ironstone are those that were produced in England in the beginning to middle of the 19th century. These include but are not limited to:
- White ironstone china (blank, undecorated)
- “Flow Blue” (cobalt blue decoration on a white background, often with blurred lines)
- Transferware (patterns and images printed or “transferred” onto dishes)
- “Mulberry ironstone” (decorated with shades of gray, brown, purple-black)
- Copper Lustre Decorative Motifs (have shiny copper bands or shiny floral & geometric patterns)
- and others
Ironstone was mainly imported to America for much of the 19th century, but in the mid-late 1800’s American makers began developing their own formulas for ironstone. They produced their own versions of white ironstone, flow blue, and other types.
What about restaurantware, railroad china, and hotel china?
What are those? They are just what they sound like – highly durable china developed in America for use in restaurants, hotels, and on trains! While these might be grouped in the same general category as ironstone because they have a lot in common, they are truly a category of their own. Collectors may collect both ironstone and restaurantware, but there are many collectors who will only collect one or the other. Manufacturers of these types of pottery included names like Buffalo, Shenango, Homer Laughlin, Syracuse, etc.
Is there a noticeable difference between English and American ironstone?
Generally speaking, old white English ironstone has a cool almost blue undertone to it. American ironstone tends to have more of a creamy white or yellowish undertone.
How do I know if I have real ironstone?
I’m by no means an expert, but here are several ways to tell if you have the real deal:
1. It has a legitimate backstamp.
What is a backstamp? It’s the maker’s mark – a stamp or embossing typically on the underside of a piece of pottery. Not all ironstone is marked, however, so this will not always be the giveaway. Markings also changed over time even within a given manufacturer. This may seem confusing when trying to identify a marking, but it can be extremely helpful in determining the age of a piece! But remember: just because there is a mark doesn’t mean it is legitimate.
Fake ironstone sometimes has a backstamp that is intended to deceive.
Unfortunately there are people out there who will produce pieces meant to deceive. Take a look at the name of the maker. If you’re not already familiar with it, search online – see if you can find a history of that maker or something about it from a reputable source.
Fake ironstone will often use names that never existed such as “Victoria Ware” or “Iron Ware.”
Victoria Ware and Iron Ware were never a thing – those names were simply created to sound legit and get people to think the piece was old. Sad but true.
Fake ironstone will sometimes have added “crazing” to make it appear old.
What’s crazing? It’s all those little lines you sometimes see on pottery, especially old pottery. It happens in the glaze layer when the piece has been under stress (working too hard on the job, eh?).
Fake ironstone will sometimes have a date printed on it to make it seem old.
Real ironstone would never be printed with something like “1890.” The date of true ironstone can sometimes be determined by the backstamp, pattern, and shape of the piece.
Look out for historically inappropriate wording.
For example, the term “Flow Blue” was never actually printed on flow blue pottery. That was a popular term used to refer to a certain style. If you see “flow blue” on the bottom of a piece, just know it’s reproduction.
Fake ironstone sometimes has an overly large backstamp.
Sometimes the manufacturers of fake ironstone will put a backstamp on that is way too large and blurry – almost like it’s been scanned and printed. Real backstamps vary in size, but they will not typically be unusually large. Use your gut – if it feels off, it may be a fake.
Fake ironstone uses markings similar to real ones, but just slightly “off.”
You know that saying that there is some truth in every lie? Well producers of fakes will use markings that are very similar to real ones. They often incorporate regal imagery like crowns, lions and unicorns, banners, etc. It’s the details that differentiate it from the real thing. Pay attention to the wording, to what is missing such as “England,” or the presence of a legitimate maker’s name. There are many sources online for identifying maker’s marks and backstamps such as “The Potteries.” I own this book and it is a helpful tool!
If it has a “Made in China” sticker, don’t even bother.
Real vintage ironstone doesn’t have “Made in China” stickers. Enough said.
2. It is heavy for its size.
Authentic ironstone should be heavy for its size. It was made to be super durable and it feels like it too! If you pick up a piece and it feels too light or cheap, it’s likely not the real deal.
Now bear in mind that more delicate things like teacups are not going to be terribly heavy by nature. You may want to use other identifying factors when dealing with “dainty” pieces. Things like pitchers, platters, bowls and serving vessels will all be quite weighty.
3. It has a distinct luster.
What is luster? Luster is the way light reacts with a surface, particularly stone and mineral surfaces. Ironstone has a gentle sheen – it’s not super shiny but it’s certainly not matte. It is smooth and glossy. The appearance of old white ironstone has a depth to it that modern pieces cannot mimic.
It is opaque – you cannot see through it. If you hold a teacup to a light and can see a glow through it, it’s not ironstone.
English ironstone tends to have a cooler blue undertone while American and more modern pieces tend to have a warmer yellow undertone.
4. It may make a pleasant sound when tapped.
I say “may” because this is dependent on the condition of the piece and your ability to hold it without dampening the sound. If you take a genuine ironstone pitcher, dangle it [carefully!] by the handle and tap on it with your other hand’s knuckles, it will make a nice bell-like sound. This is harder to do with something like a platter, but not impossible. If the piece has any major cracks or damage the sound may be altered. If you ever have the opportunity, compare an ironstone pitcher side by side with a modern ceramic pitcher – you’ll hear the difference! The modern pitcher will sound quite shrill compared to the ironstone.
Are there fakes for sale on Etsy and Ebay?
You betcha! I am taken aback by the number of fakes I’ve seen for sale on Etsy at antique prices. I am always so tempted to say something but it’s not my place so I don’t. Be sure to always read the item description, examine all the photos, and ask clarifying questions before purchasing! A quick online search for similar items is never a bad idea either.
I have seen a ton of these pitchers being sold as authentic antique ironstone, sometimes priced over $100. I sold mine in my shop for about $25 as an ironstone reproduction likely from the 1980s (when geese were popular!). There’s nothing wrong with selling these so long as you are transparent it is not antique.
What are some of the most common names in ironstone?
There were SO many ironstone producers over the decades and centuries, but here are a few notable ones. In English ironstone:
- Mason’s Patent Ironstone
- J&G Meakin
- Johnson Brothers
- T&R Boote
- Wedgwood
- Wood & Sons
- Burgess & Goddard
In American ironstone, here are a few notable names:
- Knowles, Taylor, & Knowles
- Homer Laughlin
- William Young & Sons (WYS)
Where can I find genuine ironstone?
You can find ironstone lots of places! My favorite place to find it is in thrift stores (I love the hunt!), but you can certainly find great pieces elsewhere like Etsy, Ebay, antique and consignment shops, and other reputable online vintage sellers.
Well that’s about all I have for today! I hope you have found this quick tutorial on ironstone helpful. Feel free to drop a comment or question below and thanks so much for reading!
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Blessings,
Melissa
Can someonen please tell me how to tell if Ironstone is reproduction or not? I have an Ironstone slop bucket (blue and white with handles and lid) which is in very good condition. It h as the Ironstone stamp on the base which is unclear, and under the lid there is what looks like a lower case “f”. I am not bothered if it is reproduction but I would still like to know one way or another. Also, even if it si reproduction would it have any age to it and any monetary value? Thank you.
Hi Diane – without seeing it in person I can’t say for sure, but you can certainly run some of the “tests” I mentioned in this posts. If you’d like to send me a photo I’d be happy to take a look at it and give you my best guess. If you’re on Instagram or Facebook you can message me there, otherwise feel free to email me – you can find my email address in the “contact” tab at the top of this site. Thanks for following along!
Your article was entertaining but so informative! Disappointed my Victoria Ware Hat Pin Holder “was not a thing”. I bought it because it was just a unique, beautiful piece, not a seller, just a collector (of way too much). Just as with you I am in Goodwill and Salvation Army often. I got my little beauty at Goodwill for $3.00! I really loved your article, you got so much information in very few words. Going to subscribe. Thank You!
Thank you so much, Sharon – I’m glad you enjoyed it! Even reproductions are beautiful and enjoyable. Great find!
Lovely and informative site! I have a set of lovely Mason’s patent ironstone china and would like to know its age. Is there a way to determine its production date (or a date range) based on the hallmark? If so, could someone please tell me where can I research this? My small local library was not able to help, unfortunately.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I would google search “Mason’s patent ironstone backstamp dates” – I’ll bet you can find some pictorial guides online. Definitely check out janicepaull.com – that site has a directory of mason’s factory markings. Hope that’s helpful! Thanks for reading!
This is very interesting, and I’m glad to learn more about ironstone – no idea that there are so many fakes out there?! What about Irish ironstone, such as Higginbotham? Is that substantially different from English or American? And how do we date this from maker’s marks, which don’t usually print a date?
I’m so glad you found it interesting! I’m not very familiar with Irish ironstone – that’s an area I’ll have to look into more. As far as maker’s marks with no date, there are charts and guides scattered out there online – even books for collectors – that have maker’s marks with probable date ranges to help determine year of manufacture. Hope that helps a bit!
Do you know if a backstamp could have been washed off? I have a coffee pot I bought and it has the embossed J&G Meakin Ironstone China that I have found on another site but no inked backstamp. That site says 1890 or earlier and notes the backstamp was paired with an embossed marking. Thank you for your help!
Hi Rachel! It’s very possible. I see backstamps quite frequently that are faded or partially missing due to heavy wear. It’s also entirely possible that it came slightly before or after the 1890 coffee pot or was some variation in manufacturing that included embossing but not a backstamp. I find there are so many variations in vintage dishes and ironstone, even from year to year of production! Hope that helps a bit!
This was expertly presented. So interesting too. What a lovely collection you have. Such passion. I have been considering some items Etsy. I’ve hesitated as I can’t see it in person first. I have a pot I thought, ” fun & cute” Looks like a giant coffee cup. Why I bought it for the kitchen. My sister insisted it was a chamber pot. IDK? It has something printed on the bottom.. But, hardly visible. I can’t find another like it on the internet. Any suggestions? Thank you, Bonnie
Thank you so much, Bonnie! Hehe…giant coffee cup sounds about right. It could very well be a chamber pot and many of the markings have been severely worn from heavy use. I would run the other tests on it – weight, sound when tapped, luster. If it passes all those and doesn’t have any red flags like age-inappropriate designs (geese, etc) then I’d say there’s a good chance it’s what you think it is. As far as Etsy I totally know what you mean. If there’s a piece you’re really interested in getting, the best thing you can do is to read the entire description carefully, examine all the photos, and ask any clarifying questions to the seller before purchasing. Most sellers are more than happy to provide additional information as they are able to make you feel more confident about your purchase! Hope that helps!
I have a small pitcher that has browned over time (I assume)
On the bottom it has a capital I in side a circle. I can’t read any of the wording. Any idea what this mark is?
Hi Kathy! Off the top of my head and without seeing it, I’m not sure. If you’d like to send me a photo of the marking through social media messages or via my email I’d be happy to take a look at it! (You can find my contact info in the “About” tab on my site under Privacy Policy – Who We Are” I don’t really want to write it here to avoid bots picking it up.)
Hello,
My mother passed away last year, and I’m trying to clean out her house without getting rid of anything that may be a collectible. She has so many items that may or may not be worth anything. I found this extremely heavy “planter” that has a Victoria ware Ironstone stamp on the back that I believe is a fake. Is there any way that I could send you a picture?
Hi Abby, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother! I’d be happy to look at a photo – you can either message me on Instagram or Facebook or you can email me at melissa@hymnsandhome.com.
I have two pieces of ironstone (?) marked Tepco USA. Can you tell me about Tepco?
Hi Merry, so TEPCO (Technical Porcelain and China Ware Company) produced restaurantware – the durable dishes made for restaurants and hotels. So it’s not ironstone, but it’s still very desirable and collectible. Many people love restaurantware/hotelware. TEPCO produced from about 1930-1968 and was based in California. Hope that helps!
I have a small teacup with the City of London emblem in gold and red inside on a pale green background with eight gold flowers on the green background. On the bottom it says Victoria Ware and has a gold flower on the base with the words Victoria , also on the base are two rings looks like an engagement ring with the other just a band. Just curious if this was made for sale for Victoria’s engagement to Albert
Hi Helen, thanks so much for reading and commenting. Without seeing the piece it’s hard to tell exactly what it is, but if it is stamped with “Victoria Ware” on the underside such as I showed in my video and blog post then it’s likely made in China and not very old – maybe last few decades of the 20th century. Hope that helps!
Immediately went to my hutch to grab my thrifted āiron-stoneā platter after watching your video LOL š Loved the video BTWā¦ looking forward to more iron stone content!
I found something interesting: Soooo my platter is by Dale & Davis. It reads āiron-stone chinaā on the makers stamp and displays the Royal Arms. BUT when I discovered the company was actually founded and based in NJ (yep NJ) I cringed believing that it must be a reproduction if theyāre trying to pass off the Royal Arms.?. However, I also researched the site you mentioned in the video (potteries) and learned that until the use of the Royal Arms was regulated, this was a common practice in the 19th and early 20th century: āMany potters who did not have a Warrant (both in England and also foreign firms) also used the Arms (or some similar design) as part of their mark – to gain some sense of importance and value.ā
I just found this so interesting and hope you may devote a video to this to better explain the history. Iām still unsure if what I have is genuine as it only passed one of my tests but I remain curious. TIA!
Thanks so much – I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, American makers definitely used English-looking symbols like coats of arms to give a sense of authenticity and importance to their pieces! By no means does it imply they weren’t legitimate ironstone pieces though. I did a quick search and it looks like Dale & Davis was at the Prospect Hill Pottery in NJ, in operation from 1880-1903. Honestly I had never heard of that maker before but it could be because they were in operation such a limited period of time! Thanks so much for watching and commenting – I’ll keep the video idea in mind!
Hi, I have a Staffordshire iron stone wash basin and bowl in green and edged in gold…it has a design of women/ladies in a garden…only have seen ones with flowers on…is it of any value do you think…many thanks
Hi Lesley! It sounds lovely. Value really depends on the current demand, the condition of the piece, the age, rarity, etc. Without seeing it and having details I really couldn’t say for sure. Considering you can’t easily find it online I would take that as a good sign that it’s at least not readily available in the market!
Thank you for the informational video. I recently bought a pitcher and bowl. It is a creamy white with rust colored impurities in it. It has glazed all over and has the bell ring sound to it. The makers mark isn’t like the examples I have seen. It has a stamped NMG or NM6 on the bottom. I suppose that could be a 9WN if flipped but not sure. Any ideas on how I could find more info? I have looked online and in the book referenced in your video. Thanks
Hi Karen, my apologies for the delayed reply. I know that Homer Laughlin produced creamy colored pitchers and used numbers and letters to indicate date of manufacture. Would you be able to send me a photo via social media message or email? You can find my contact info in my disclosure policy on my site.
I have some old Stone China or Royal Ironstone China that I dug up along side a river. Was an old building there at one time. So I am sure it is authentic. But curious of how old it might be. If I took a picture of one of the items could you identify the year it was made, or pattern?
Lee Noga
What an amazing and intriguing find! My apologies for the delayed reply – it was a rough Summer for me. If you’d like to send a photo through social media (Instagram or Facebook) or through an email (you can find my contact info in my disclosure policy on my blog) I’d be happy to take a look!
May I send you a picture to date for this set?
Thank you!
I’d be happy to take a look and help if I am able! Feel free to message me on social media (Instagram/Facebook) or send me an email. My contact info can be found under the Disclosure Policy tab on this site.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the overwhelming number of questions and photos I have been sent, I can no longer answer questions pertaining to individual pieces you may have. I am sorry to disappoint, but with young children at home my time is very limited. If you have a question about something I said in this post and need clarification, please comment below and I’ll do my best to answer. Thanks for reading!