Mason Cash

Mason Cash & Co was a pottery company, based in Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, U.K., making a range of earthenware[1] and stoneware[2] kitchenware including mixing bowls, pudding basins and petware. They are most well known for their range of 'Cane Bowls'.[3][4] Mason Cash is now a brand of the Rayware Group.[5]

History

The origins of Mason Cash can be traced back to a pottery already operating at Church Gresley around 1800.[6] The location was selected due to the local deposits of clay and coal. The pottery was run by a series of Master Potters, of whom the most colourful was ‘Bossy’ Mason – this is where the ‘Mason’ name came from in the 1800s. Thomas Cash acquired the pottery in 1901, retaining the 'Mason' name of the previous owner, renamed the pottery Mason Cash & Co.[7] Mason Cash ceramic items were made from ‘white and cane’ glazed earthenware sometimes known as ‘yellow ware’ due to the colour of the local clay.

Mason Cash had been producing mixing bowls during the 1800s, but in 1901 they designed and manufactured the very first iconic Mason Cash mixing bowl. The design of the Mason Cash mixing bowl has barely changed in over 100 years and can be recognised by its original and distinctive pattern on the outside of the bowl.[8]

Expansion
  • 1930s & 1940s - expanded their product line to include petware.
  • 1941 - Thomas Cash's son took over, and incorporated the company as Mason, Cash & Co. Ltd. They continued to produce utilitarian wares throughout the Second World War.[9][7]
  • 1973 - the company was purchased by A. B. Merriam.[7]
  • 1986 - the company acquired Cauldon Potteries, and the rights to the 'Royal Cauldon' name from T. Brown & Son Ltd. of the Ferrybridge Pottery, Knottingly, Yorkshire.[7]
  • 2001 - they purchased T.G. Green and worked to revive that pottery's Cornish Blue kitchenware line.[9]
  • 2004 - The Tabletop Company purchased Mason Cash in April 2004,[6] thus forming The Tabletop Group.
  • 2006 - Production in Swadlincote was stopped, with the machinery moved to Portugal where production continues.[4][10]
  • 2007 - The Rayware Group acquired the Mason Cash brand. Sister brand T.G. Green was acquired by Charles Rickard and Paul Burston and relaunched.[11]

Mixing bowl sizes
T. G. Green bowl No. 30 (inverted), showing the Church Gresley Trade Mark

The Mason Cash mixing bowls are sold in various numbered sizes. The size number of the bowl refers to how many bowls could fit in the kiln in the original factory.[12]

Mixing Bowl SizeDiameter (top)
435 cm
633 cm
932 cm
1229 cm
1826 cm
2424 cm
3021 cm
3615 cm
4212 cm


See also

References
  1. masoncash.co.uk
  2. masoncash.co.uk
  3. Cane Mixing Bowls - Mason Cash - choice of the discerning cook
  4. Brand Products from Europe in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg at Kollwitzplatz
  5. rayware.co.uk
  6. About - Mason Cash - choice of the discerning cook
  7. Perry, Michael. "History of Mason Cash & Co. Ltd". Pottery Histories. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  8. [Mason Cash catalogue, produced by The Rayware Group Ltd. (2014)]
  9. Mason Cash
  10. http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/Images/HeritageNewsSummer2006_tcm21-94498.pdf
  11. http://www.tggreen.co.uk/about-us/
  12. Cane Mixing Bowls - Mason Cash - choice of the discerning cook
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