Originally used around the turn of the century in butchers and grocers shops, most people see these and wonder what they are...it's a ham stand for carving ham or gammon joint. I have one in my collection and use it as a plant stand or a candle holder in my kitchen. These are perfect for big pillar candles! Great, heavy piece for your kitchen or ironstone collection!

Made by Mason's of England, stamped on bottom as shown for Rushbrooke Smithfield of London. G Rushbrooke Smithfield (Ltd) was an outfitter to butchers, butcher shops and grocer's from the late 19th and into the early 20th century. If you follow my blog you may remember that I posted about some of the dairy slabs I have, CHEESE, PURE BUTTER, FROMAGE. These ironstone slabs were all made by the same company which supplied most of England with everything from butcher blocks to aprons and in between for the commercial butcher, cheese or dairy shop owner. All sorts of displays and tools were produced by Rushbrooke.

G. RUSHBROOKE (SMITHFIELD) LTD. Butchers' Engineers & Complete Outfitters 67/77 Charterhouse Street, LONDON. E.C.1 & At Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Belfast

Such a rare, hard to find and wonderful piece this is! With both the Masons stamp on bottom and the Rushbrooke stamp on top!

Measures: 7 1/2" tall x 6 3/4" diameter and is very heavy

Condition is good, no chips, cracks. There is a little crazing present, commensurate to age.

To learn more about English transferware and see it in many practical and decorative uses please visit me at one of the places below:

BLOG: www.nancysdailydish.blogspot.com

PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/transferware

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/English-Transferware/277105748523

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/transferware

Sage / Olive Green and White Ironstone Transferware Plate with Scrolled Leaf and Vine Border

$11.99