This is an antique white ironstone soap dish measuring 4 inches long by 3 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall. The back stamp is that of the Anthony Shaw pottery. This back stamp was used prior to 1882.
It is in fine shape, with no chips or cracks. Note the deep design. This piece differs from most soap slabs of the period in that store it is deeper and possesses an interior oval shape. Its height makes it more like a soap box than soap slab; however, without drainage holes, it qualifies as a soap slab. It would look great with a chunky block of homemade soap.
This is the difference between soap dishes and soap slabs. Soap boxes are deep, with separate drainers in the center and lids. Soap slabs are thicker with no additional parts. They are designed to stay in place on the counter, hence the thickness and weight. Many hotels had slabs , so some people consider these as hotel ware.
Be it vintage ironstone or its elder, antique ironstone, these relics add charm to country home or farmhouse chic décor. Creating a vintage kitchen, vintage dining room, or other room calls for authentic vintage china rather than modern day pieces that try to look old. Antique French ironstone and antique English ironstone both do the trick. Actually, many English pieces are misidentified as French in Antique style offerings. Décor suggestion: try adding a high shelf with ironstone pitchers on top and ironstone sauceboats on the pegs to ramp up an antique kitchen. The possibilities are vast.
Product code: Antique White Ironstone SOAP SLAB store Soap Box, A. Shaw