{"product_id":"antique-c-1845-1848-masons-patent-ironstone-china-imported-by-t-t-kissam-co-for-the-ruddocks-hotel-new-orleans-3-piece-butter-dish-with-strainer-lid","title":"Scarce Antique Mason’s Patent Ironstone 3-Piece Butter Dish for Ruddock’s Hotel, New Orleans (c. 1845–1848)","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScarce Antique Mason’s Patent Ironstone 3-Piece Butter Dish for Ruddock’s Hotel, New Orleans (c. 1845–1848)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn exceptional piece of early American hotel china, this antique \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMason’s Patent Ironstone China\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e covered butter dish was produced in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStaffordshire, England\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e and imported by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eT. T. Kissam \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e of New York specifically for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRuddock’s Hotel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e in New Orleans during the mid-1840s. Kissam specialized in importing English ceramics for American hotels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe underside bears the scarce mark:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Mason’s Patent Ironstone China – Imported by T. T. Kissam \u0026amp; Co. – For Ruddocks Hotel New Orleans”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHistorical records place this importer’s mark between \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1845 and 1848\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBecause it was produced specifically for a hotel rather than general retail sale, examples bearing the \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRuddock’s Hotel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e mark are considerably less common than standard Mason’s Ironstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMason’s Patent Ironstone was prized for its exceptional durability while maintaining an elegant appearance. Commissioned hotel pieces such as this are considerably scarcer than standard retail production, making them especially appealing to collectors of early ironstone, hotel china, and New Orleans history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis covered dish features its original removable perforated insert, believed to have been designed to keep butter elevated from moisture or melting ice, helping maintain freshness before refrigeration. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eComplete examples retaining both the lid and removable insert are more difficult to find than individual serving pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBowl Measures approximately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e 7\" diameter; insert is approx. 4.5\"; the entire piece is approx. 4.5\" tall to tip of the knob on the lid.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eVery good antique condition with expected wear consistent with age and use, including some discolored grit inside the bowl at about the 8:00 position; a small divot along the underside base edge. In truly remarkable condition for its age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIMPORTANT: This listing is for a pre-owned, antique or vintage item. Please do not expect perfection from pre-owned, vintage and antique items. Photos are part of the description, please review all and utilize the zoom feature to see more detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Affordably Chic Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67400349221168,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0075\/7075\/1585\/files\/IMG_0657.jpg?v=1785166084","url":"https:\/\/affordablychicart.com\/products\/antique-c-1845-1848-masons-patent-ironstone-china-imported-by-t-t-kissam-co-for-the-ruddocks-hotel-new-orleans-3-piece-butter-dish-with-strainer-lid","provider":"Affordably Chic Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}