A MASON'S IRONSTONE FIREPLACE SURROUND CIRCA 1820-30

reserved with Chinoiserie vignettes printed and painted with landscapes, birds or vases of flowers against the pale yellow ground decorated with geometric designs. Some chips and restoration.

French & Co., New York

Total width of mantlepiece is 62 in., width of aperture is 36 in. (in cms 75.5 by 92cm.) Minor flaking, chips and scuffing to enamel surface decoration throughout, but nothing that mars the overall decorative effect. Mantlepiece shelf is constructed in three sections, and left section has repaired breaks. The glaze to the right side of the central section with ring mark. Further restored breaks to lintel. At these repaired breaks there is evidence of filler and old glue. This will need to be professional put together as due to old repairs, and a wedge shaped loss to the underside of the mantelpiece, cement and plaster it is tricky to build. The jambs with bruising and chips with old restored repairs and overpainting. In fair to good condition generally. It is likely that each jam would have raised on a block plinth with conforming decoration, these are now lacking.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar 'chimneypiece' is illustrated in Geoffrey Godden, Godden's Guide to Mason's China and The Ironstone wares, p. 153, fig. 153. Another similar cobalt-blue ground example was sold in these rooms, April 4, 2007, lot 161.