Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish- Spring Meadow Saffron, After William Curtis

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Description

Spode Porcelain Dessert Dish after William Curtis,
Vernal Bulbocodium,
Circa 1810-20

A fine early 19th-century English porcelain dessert dish by … Read more Spode Porcelain Dessert Dish after William Curtis,
Vernal Bulbocodium,
Circa 1810-20

A fine early 19th-century English porcelain dessert dish by Spode, dating to the Regency period (circa 1810–1820). This deep oval dish features a meticulously hand-painted botanical specimen of the Vernal Bulbocodium (Spring Meadow Saffron), rendered against a pristine white ground.

The illustration is notable for its scientific precision, depicting not just the violet bloom but the entire plant structure, including the exposed bulb and root system—a testament to the period's obsession with horticultural accuracy. The design is directly derived from William Curtis's The Botanical Magazine (illustrated by James Sowerby). The dish is modeled with an elegant scalloped rim and molded shell-form handles at each end, all richly accented with gilding.

Markings: Script: Painted in iron red on the reverse: "Vernal Bulbocodium".

Condition: Very good antique condition. The hand-painted enamel decoration remains vivid. Minimal wear to the gilding, commensurate with age.

Measurements:
Length: 11 1/8 inches (28.3 cm)
Width: 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm)
Height: 2 1/4 inches (5.7 cm)

Historical Context:

Spode was famous for its "Botanical" services produced in the early 19th century, which capitalized on the British fascination with horticulture and exotic plants. The source images were almost exclusively taken from The Botanical Magazine (founded in 1787 by William Curtis), which was the first gardening journal to feature hand-colored plates of new and rare plants. The translation of Sowerby’s flat print into a three-dimensional luxury object highlights the skill of Spode's ceramic artists.

(Ref: NY10438B-crrx) See less