Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish With a Spiderwort Plant After William Curtis

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Description

"Botanical Beauty": Spode Porcelain Dessert Dish after William Curtis
(Spiderwort Pattern,
Ciirca 1810-20)

A fine early 19th-century English porcelain dessert … Read more "Botanical Beauty": Spode Porcelain Dessert Dish after William Curtis
(Spiderwort Pattern,
Ciirca 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 beautifully hand-painted central specimen of the Spiderwort (Tradescantia), rendered in vibrant shades of violet and green against a pristine white ground.

The botanical illustration is directly derived from William Curtis's renowned publication, The Botanical Magazine, specifically from an engraving by the celebrated illustrator James Sowerby. The dish is modeled with an elegant scalloped rim and molded shell-form handles at each end, all richly accented with gilding. A delicate gold band frames the botanical subject, and the rim features a stylized gilt border.

Markings:
Script: Painted in iron red on the reverse: "Spiderwort".
Maker's Mark: Painted in iron red: "Spode".

Condition: Excellent antique condition. The hand-painted enamel decoration remains vivid. The gilding is well-preserved with minimal wear 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: NY10438A-crrx) See less