Keele University
Registered Charity Number 1018133
Raven Mason Collection
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The Raven Mason Curator - Harry E. Frost M.A.
On behalf of the trustees I am delighted to encourage you to visit this fascinating collection. It is representative of a period of intense development and creativity within the English ceramic industry. The Mason's company has been one of the most important ceramic names in that industry and can be traced back over 200 years.
The collection contains numerous important examples of Mason's ceramics and several are in fact unique. Regarded by many as one of the finest public collections of Mason's ironstone and porcelain in the world you will be delighted to know that the majority of pieces in the collection are on display. Those pieces in reserve are used to support the collection at times when we may have a travelling exhibition or when we change the showcases so that there is always something new for our visitors to see.
I have cared for the collection for approximately fifteen years and during this time have received the marvellous bequest of Dame Kathleen Raven's collection. I have also had the pleasure of re-displaying the entire collection and reinterpreting it.
My principal duties are to care for the collection and to promote it, other than this I only attend the collection when I am required for a particular event such as a Connoisseurs tour or when I give individual illustrated lectures about the collection. These are held at Keele, or should you wish it I can travel to your society, for further details see arranging a visit.
Should you wish to know more about Mason ceramics of your own you will find some of the most authoritative books on the subject at further reading. Unfortunately we simply do not have the resources to undertake identification or restoration enquiries but we have included examples of some of the many Mason's Marks to help you. In line with all museums in the U.K. we cannot provide valuations.
However, we look forward to your visit and hope to make it both a memorable and enjoyable occasion.
