Kitchen_Icon_HoS_Mason_Cash_Autumn_2020

KITCHEN ICON MASON CASH

This iconic bowl has made it everywhere from Buckingham Palace to Downton Abbey, in addition to millions of households around the world

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KITCHEN ICON MASON CASH

I t isn’t every kitchenware company that gets its products photographed with four generations of Royals but Mason Cash has that honour. The traditional cane mixing bowl and white pudding basins Mason Cash are known for, were used by The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George, to prepare puddings for the Royal British Legion’s Together at Christmas charity appeal last year. The same iconic mixing bowl also appeared in official photography, released by Kensington Palace when Royal Baker Claire Ptak chose it to create the lemon and elderflower buttercream- adorned wedding cake for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018. “Mason Cash is a brand steeped in British heritage and we were honoured when Claire Ptak chose our iconic bowl to use in the making of the Royal Wedding Cake and again, when they were used by the Royal Family as part of a charity initiative last Christmas,” says Paul Donnelly, Senior Brand Manager of Mason Cash.   The origins of the brand date back to 1800 and a pottery in Church Gresley. This Derbyshire village was seen as the heart of the English ceramics industry at the time. It was located close to all the raw materials and fuel services required to make ceramics, with the advantage of good transport links. The pottery in question created kitchenware, sometimes known as ‘yellow ware’, due to the colour of the clay. Numerous Master Potters oversaw production; the most colourful character being known as ‘Bossy’ Mason, which is where the Mason name originated. In 1901 Tom Cash acquired the pottery and added his name, creating Mason Cash & Co. During that same year, the pottery designed and manufactured the very first iconic Mason Cash mixing bowl, one that has barely altered since and has gone on to become an enduring classic. Made from high-quality, chip-resistant earthenware, it was designed to be heavy enough to stand when mixing, yet light enough to hold comfortably in one arm. The distinct patterned exterior and rim help bakers grip and tip the bowl and it has become synonymous with baking ever since. The business expanded its range, moving into petware in 1947 and continued to produce Causing a stir

RIGHT: A worker digs up the clay used to make the iconic mixing bowls in this photograph, believed to date back to 1977. BELOW RIGHT: Another image from the late 1970s – here a mould is used to create the iconic pattern of the mixing bowl. The machine, which was known as a rolling machine with an attached ‘jigger’, creates the smooth inner surface of the bowls.

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KITCHEN ICON MASON CASH

LEFT: Taken around 1972, this shows mixing bowls being placed in the kiln. In the next picture, taken the same year, you can see the shelves include a variety of sizes of mixing bowls and ramekins. Every inch of the shelf is used.

producing ranges of innovative and beautifully designed products aimed to make baking easy,” adds Senior Brand Manager Paul Donnelly. “By mixing tradition with innovation we strive to continue to develop beautiful collections that are functional and bring style and character to any kitchen.” FUN FACTS • In the mid-19th century, Mason Cash products were sometimes called ‘bargeware’, as after coming straight off the production line they were loaded directly into canal barges and shipped to different cities and ports to be exported all over the world. • The bowls are traditionally given sizes which don’t relate to actual measurements but to how many can fit on a shelf in a kiln when being made. This sizing is still relevant today and the most popular bowl is a 12, which has a 29cm diameter at the top. The sizes currently produced range from a size 6 (33cm diameter) to 36 (15cm). • In the 19th century, Mason Cash oven dishes were referred to as ‘nappies’. This came from the old English word ‘hnaep’, which simply means plate. • The iconic bowl has featured throughout the years in many British period dramas, including Downton Abbey as well as appearing on cookery programmes such as The Great British Bake Off and daytime BBC and ITV shows.

ABOVE: Historical advert for Mason Cash bowls.

utilitarian wares through the Second World War. By this point, Tom Cash’s son had taken over. Despite changing hands numerous times over the decades, the brand remained much loved and was still going strong when it was acquired by the Liverpool-based Rayware Group in 2003 who retain it to this day. Millions of the bowls continue to be sold each year and while the original white and cane glazed earthenware remains just as popular, it has been joined by a host of other options, from delicate pastels to vibrant brights. The specialist glaze not only gives a high-

gloss finish but also helps to make the bowls more chip-resistant. New designs have included the Heart range and In The Forest mixing bowls which were added to the range in 2007 and 2014 respectively. Other Mason Cash products include utensils, ovenware and dinnerware, as well as cake decorating equipment. In addition to great success in the UK, Mason Cash has a strong presence internationally. The company regularly gathers information on consumers from different demographics to ensure products have world-wide appeal. “We are constantly researching and

You can see photos of the bowls with the Royal Family at www.britishlegion.org.uk/ stories

ABOVE: The original bowls have been joined by a host of other colours and designs in recent years.

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KITCHEN ICON MASON CASH

Mason Cash In The Forest Pie Funnels (choice of designs) RRP: £4.00 Harts Price: £3.20 each

Mason Cash In The Forest Teapot RRP: £20.50 Harts Price: £16.40

Mason Cash In The Forest 1L Measuring Jug RRP: £21.50 Harts Price: £17.20

Mason Cash Colour Mix S24 Black Mixing Bowl 24cm A modern twist on the classic cane design. RRP: £26.00 Harts Price: £18.20

Mason Cash In The Forest Fox Pepper Shaker (matching Salt Shaker also available) RRP: £4.50 Harts Price: £3.60

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KITCHEN ICON MASON CASH

Mason Cash In The Forest Measuring Spoons This handy set of measuring spoons is made from chip-resistant stoneware and is microwave and dishwasher safe RRP: £13.00 Harts Price: £10.40

Mason Cash Colour Mix S12 Turquoise Mixing Bowl 29cm Other sizes are available RRP: £32.00 Harts Price: £22.40

Mason Cash In The Forest Honey Pot Wooden drizzler included RRP: £12.00 Harts Price: £9.60

Mason Cash Hearts Cream S12 Mixing Bowl 29cm RRP: £30.50 Harts Price: £19.96

Mason Cash In The Forest 30 x 15cm Medium Serving Platter RRP: £11.00 Harts Price: £8.80

Mason Cash In The Forest Spoon Rest RRP: £6.00

Harts Price: £4.80

MORE MASON CASH For Mason Cash pudding basins and their guide to steaming puddings, turn to page 63. You can also see our full Mason Cash range at www.hartsofstur.com or visit us instore.

Mason Cash Hearts Red S12 Mixing Bowl 29cm RRP: £32.50 Harts Price: £20.95

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