|

Starting a Collection: Ironstone

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

For quite some time, I’ve loved Ironstone but I didn’t really have a reason to collect it. I try to always have a purpose with my collections, otherwise I might just become a hoarder.

Well, you guys remember that Welsh Dresser we added to the dining room?

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

I thought white ironstone would look so elegant and classy with the natural wood behind it.

I had a few pieces that I found at a local thrift store and I got a few more platters and jugs at Vintage Thymes.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Slowly but surely I’m building this collection. See that lidded server. I think I only paid $10 at my local thrift store. It was a lucky day!

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

These little side plates, not sure the technical term, I found at Goodies in Scituate Harbor.

What is Ironstone? You may be asking yourself this very question. Many people look at me quizzically when I say that I’m looking for it. Ironstone is English. It was developed in the 19th century by potters in Staffordshire as a cheaper, mass-produced alternative for porcelain. There is no iron in ironstone; its name is derived for its durability. It is very heavy, much heavier than china or porcelain and can be used for everyday or formal occasions. I very much intend to use all the pieces I collect.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

While we were in England I looked everywhere in search of it. I went with my sister-in-law, niece and mother-in-law to look down in Cornwall. We went to an antique mall and countless charity shops. There was some Ironstone but it all had printing on it. I kept saying “I just want white”. I also searched high and low in Windsor and London.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

I love the creamy color of Ironstone pottery and I also love when it isn’t perfect. I love the chips and cracks. The things that tell a story.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

While I was away I received an email from a reader saying that she had some Ironstone that she had planned to bring to the Cohasset Boutique (a section of the dump where people can leave stuff) and did I want it. I emailed her back immediately, “Yes, please.”

Linda gave me this Regency pattern creamer and sugar bowl by Johnson Brothers.

It looks so sweet with my flop eared bunny watercolor (to get your free printable click here).

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

I love them, Linda, thank you so much for thinking of me and my little Welsh Dresser!

The other weekend I went on an Ironstone road trip and found some from Antique dealer, Mary Ellen Shea. She sold me part of her personal collection.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

A few platters, a plate and this delicate platter with pretty detailing. It does have a crack, but as I told you before, I like cracks and age and crackles.

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Before I show you more Ironstone eye candy, I wanted to briefly discuss collections and collecting.

The Importance of a Collection

  • Collections in ones home adds so much charm. We live in an older home so our home already has charm but adding collections adds another layer of warmth and love.
  • If you already collect items (say ironstone or shells or old books or bottles) when you go to yard sales or antique shops, you’re more likely to find a small treasure to add to your collection.
  • When building a collection, it’s important to have a price point that you’re willing to spend and to also know the items estimated value. Ironstone ranges in price and you can do better at yard sales than antique shops.
  • Collections in one color can unify or make a design statement. Examples are ironstone on my Welsh dresser, Flow Blue China in a white china cabinet, and vintage blue fish floats nestled in bowls.
  • I think the greatest attribute of a collection is that it brings the owner so much joy.

From a very early age, I used to go antiquing with my mom. I think I’ve told you guys this many time before, but during the week, when my dad was at work, we’d climb into her little, red Toyota and we’d drive to Rowley and Georgetown and go to many antique stores dotted along the way. I used to do this with Conor when he was too little for school and he can still find unbelievable treasures. I still love antiquing with my mom; it’s one of my favorite things to do.

I think this piece is one of my favorites that I’ve found so far:

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

It’s a lidded tureen and the base is attached. I think it might be a fig on top. Here’s a view from above:

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

Isn’t it so pretty? I love how it still has the ladle which has some light crazing. Absolutely love it!

Decorating with Ironstone I Finding Silver Pennies

It’s my goal to fill the shelves with Ironstone. So I have a feeling you’ll be seeing LOTS more Ironstone posts.

If any of you have Ironstone at home and are looking to get rid of it, you know where to find me.

I also wanted to share that this room will be getting a makeover soon. Well, a mini makeover. This is also inspired by the Welsh Dresser. Ha! Ha! You know how it is. Change one thing and which then leads to changing a few other things… We picked up some reclaimed wood down the Cape from Stonewood Products and opted for Heart Pine. It is gorgeous. I can’t wait for Luke to start work on it this weekend.  I shared some photos of the wood on Instagram and Facebook, but here’s an image of the pieces we chose.

Reclaimed Heart Pine for the Dining Room I Finding Silver Pennies

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating

Similar Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

11 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gabrielle Mader
6 years ago

I love my ironstone….You and I have some similar pieces I have that big, heavy platter and use it all the time especially for BBQ’s and i have a mini little tureen with the lid and ironstone spoon it’s my favorite and a lot of pitchers with cracks in them. My best buy was on one for 5 bucks at the Rose Bowl. Enjoy your collections.

Sandi Magle
6 years ago

Dear Danielle, you have a great collection started. I can empathize with you on the inheriting the ‘collecting bug’. By all means mix and match, but use your pieces also, as its the memories of the company we keep while using our ‘things’ that make them beloved. Thanks for sharing, Sandi

Nina
Nina
6 years ago

I love your ironstone collection and it looks beautiful with the warm wood. I especially love your story of antiquing with your mom. It brought back wonderful memories of doing the same with my mom since way back in the early 1960’s. She’d find “junk” back then that people were just throwing out and get my dad to lug it home in the pickup truck. I just inherited many of those beautiful pieces from her last year. Each one brings back memories of those wonderful days spent with her.

Holly
Holly
6 years ago

This collection is so beautiful! How do you get so lucky at a thrift shop?! Mine never seems to have anything good. Also, I am sure it is somewhere on the pieces that it is Ironstone? If not how do you know that it is IronStone?

Pamela
Pamela
6 years ago

Love your collection!! Thanks for sharing about ironstone ware. I have the same question as Holly who posted above me about the ironstone.

Sharon B.
Sharon B.
6 years ago

I love ironstone so much and your collection is beautiful. I really love seeing pictures of beautiful dishware and decoration. It’s a real pick-me-up and makes me feel happy. Thank you so much for the free printable of the bunny. I love this picture and I imagine that having the talent to paint such a beautiful picture must make you very happy. I just printed a copy off and will be framing it and giving it to a friend who has a pet rabbit that she loves very much. I’m sure she will be thrilled with this gorgeous watercolour of… Read more »

deborah
deborah
6 years ago

ironstone has always been my favorite, your gravy boat is lovely! a favorite piece remains my sugar bowl as it sits by the coffee pot and I get to enjoy using it every time I pour a cuppa 🙂 many thanks for the bunny, Happy Spring!

Linda Andrews
Linda Andrews
6 years ago

Danielle,

Soak your pieces which have cracks in milk to take the “stain” out of the pieces. I learned that tip while living in the U.K. Look it up on Google to double check it or ask at some place like Yankee Magazine.

Katie
2 years ago

I found a bunch of ironstone today while I was antiquing