In 1955 Spode produced and elegant modern design by Harold Holdway called Olympus with pattern number S2933. As well as being very modern for Spode this design was also produced on the newly invented Murray Curvex machine which was researched, invented and developed at Spode with Guy Murray. The work on this new type of printing was so secret it had a code name... yes really.
It was 'Harps'.
Olympus engraved copper plate, chromed |
Plate, Olympus pattern on two-tone eartthenware |
Olympus is a beautiful design illustrating Holdway's great skill at elegant simplicity. It was produced on a two-tone green and white earthenware of Flemish Green and Imperial. This two-tone range in these colours was called Fortuna. (A bit more about Fortuna can be found on my Golf page and on my Spode ABC).
'Statue of Jupiter Olympus' plate, Gadroon shape c1950s |
The 7 centres were recorded by Spode as The Great Temple of Diana; The Statue of Jupiter Olympus; The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus; The Colossus of Rhodes; The Pyramids of Egypt; The Walls and Hanging Gardens of Babylon; and The Pharos of Alexandria (spelling as in the Spode papers).
1962 Perth backstamps |
Commonwealth Games, Perth Tankard, 1962 |
The closest I can get to an international sporting event is a Spode tankard made for the Commonwealth Games in 1962. It was produced on Spode's stone china stone china body called, by this period, Fine Stone. It also had an additional backstamp specially designed for the event.
This specially commissioned commemorative item was also designed by Harold Holdway. I love it!