Surprisingly, this is the first book to be devoted to British Ironstone China and the related stone china and granite ceramic bodies. Yet they are as important in their way as the well-known, highly respected and well documented English creamwares or indeed bone china itself.
Initially, the ironstone-type bodies were introduced - like most European ceramics, to emulate, rival and undersell the vast and popular importation of Oriental porcelains. Not only did the ironstone manufacturers succeed in this ideal but they progressed to take over the trade, develop new markets and supply the world with inexpensive but durable tableware.
In the middle and latter half of the nineteenth century the British potters won markets undreamed of by the pioneers in the trade. The major manufacturers such as Mason and Spode produced superbly potted, richly decorated, ironstone or stone china table services and ornamental goods. Yet perhaps more importantly the smaller firms concentrated on less expensive utilitarian objects that were shipped to all parts of the world for everyday use. A large part of the world, therefore, would have eaten off or drunk from British ironstone type wares at this time.