Antiques 101: Guide to Collecting Ironstone

Ironstone china is a glaze-covered earthenware that was first patented by Charles James Mason in 1813 and other manufacturers followed suit. At one point, there were almost 200 makers of ironstone china and they made everything from plates and bowls to tureens, covered casseroles, pitchers, gravy boats and even chamber pots. Most pieces come from England, France and the United States. Although, ironstone's popularity has come in waves, this durable dishware has remained a favorite among antique collectors for decades.

If you’re lucky, it will be labeled as ironstone in the hallmark, usually stamped on the bottom of a piece. It might also say "stoneware". Many pieces, though, are not marked specifically as ironstone or they aren’t marked at all.

The best way for you to learn to spot ironstone is by studying a piece of ironstone. The most noticeable thing is the weight. A piece of ironstone will always feel heavier than it looks. It has a wonderful luster about it as well, that can be easily recognized if you know what you’re looking for. If the piece has a handle, hold it by the handle and flick the body of the piece. It will make a lovely "ring" if it is free of chips or cracks. It can be bright white or a dark cream, a bluish white, or almost beige from discoloration. Note: Ironstone is not exclusively white, either. It may have a transferware design added.

Ironstone is typically found at antique stores and markets. It can even be found at yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores. The abundance of pieces available varies greatly depending on the region. Ironstone can always be found on popular online marketplaces that feature antiques but they are usually priced a little higher than you'd pay when thrifting and shipping is expensive.

It's difficult to pin down an exact price range, because, like any antique, it depends on rarity, age, desirability, size, condition, aesthetic, etc. A sugar bowl, for example could be priced too high at $20 if it was made in the 1970’s, has a big crack in it and is missing a lid and it could be an amazing bargain if it’s mid-1800’s in a beautiful pattern. If you find a piece at a thrift store, it could be as low as $.50/plate and the prices can go as high as $1500 for a rare cake pedestal. In my experience, most common pieces can be found for around $20-$50.