1983 catalogue page |
Example of a backstamp used to about 1957 |
In the Spode archive there is a record of a buttercup pattern which is a hand painted design recorded with pattern number 1/4265. This was produced on bone china in about 1885. It is thought to have been designed by Felix Xavier Abraham*, a fine artist, who worked
at the factory between about 1882 and c1902. He was Art Director for a short time. Probably influenced by this hand painted design, Buttercup
appeared in about 1896 in something akin to its most popular form,
on earthenware, on Chelsea Wicker shape. It had pattern number 2/4187 and was printed in outline from a hand engraved copper plate
and then hand coloured.
Also in 1896 a differently coloured version appeared with pattern number 2/4191 and called Mandalay. This was in reds and browns. However the best known version has pattern number 2/7873 and was first recorded in 1924 remaining in production until 1992. Many customers who wanted to add to their services asked for its reintroduction and this finally happened in 2000 but sadly was not the success it was expected to be.
Also in 1896 a differently coloured version appeared with pattern number 2/4191 and called Mandalay. This was in reds and browns. However the best known version has pattern number 2/7873 and was first recorded in 1924 remaining in production until 1992. Many customers who wanted to add to their services asked for its reintroduction and this finally happened in 2000 but sadly was not the success it was expected to be.
Example of a backstamp used after 1970 |
The Chelsea Wicker shape was registered as a
shape design on 29th October 1890 with registered number 159997.
It is an ivory coloured earthenware and was often marked Spode Imperial.
The Spode Imperial name and mark was registered as a trademark with registered
number 90067 on 11th April 1890.
The shape with its deeply fluted rim derives from the
famous Chelsea factory in London. The embossed wicker weave is a design which was
used at the Spode
factory in the early 1800s particularly for dessert
wares on both bone china
and earthenware.
Although the revived shape was registered in 1890 the earliest pattern is not recorded
in the pattern books until about 1892 as 2/3674 and the shape was described as Basket Work Chelsea Shape. Many patterns were produced on what was to become a well-loved shape.
Buttercup pattern features a wild flower and there was also another similar pattern featuring another wild flower called Cowslip. This latter was also printed and then hand coloured.
1962 German catalogue Buttercup left and Cowslip right |
*Abraham is sometimes wrongly called Abrahams (including by me and Robert Copeland!). I am almost certain now it is without the S. I have also seen the name Francis Xavier Abraham and think this may be the same person; and in the Spode archive in a document, dated 1895, a signature Frank X. Abraham. If I can discover who is who I will add to this blog...