Here's an oriental pattern from Spode with an odd name. Sometimes it is easy to find a reason for a pattern name, or at least to take a stab at why it was called what it was, but this one is still a bit of a mystery.
'
Bang Up' pattern was first introduced by Spode in about 1820. It was recorded with pattern number 2886 and, like most records in the
pattern books, no name was mentioned with the paper entry. The pattern is oriental in style but, unlike other Spode patterns of the early 1800s, a Chinese porcelain original is not known. The origin of the name remains puzzling.
The pattern was usually printed and then handcoloured. Some versions had added gilding.
 |
| Comport, stone china, 'Bang Up' pattern 2886 c1820 |
 |
| Comport, looking down. Note how the central design in the panel is adapted to follow the shape |
'
Bang Up' proved to be a very popular and successful pattern for Spode and several versions of it were produced over the next 100 years or so. It would seem the pattern is known by the name '
Bang Up'
whether it has the panel around the central spray of flowers with a bead at the edge as in pattern 2886; or if these are omitted as in other versions such as patterns 3504 and 3690.
Pattern 3690 is a combination of two Spode patterns - it has the '
Bang Up' centre and '
Ship' border.
Interestingly the design enjoyed a revival in the late 1800s and again in the 1930s. Some of these later versions are mentioned below.
Pattern 2/4074 was introduced in about 1895. It was similar in design to '
Bang Up' with pattern number 3504 of about 1823 but was produced on earthenware on '
Gadroon'
shape. This version was available until about 1960.
 |
| Dish (meat dish/platter), earthenware, 'Gadroon' shape, 'Bang Up' pattern 2/4074 |
Pattern S2374 on earthenware on '
Camilla' shape was introduced in about 1938. The
body had a '
Royal Jasmine' glaze. It was printed in blue, hand coloured
onglaze. The 1938 catalogue, whilst still unsure of the name, includes a seemingly randomly chosen date for the pattern of 1808. Its marketing blurb includes:
'
Here, in an oddly named design, the artist has evolved in truly Eastern style a glorious medley of conventional flowers, bright and gay, to please the most fastidious taste of any period.'
 |
| 'Bang Up' earthenware, pattern S2374, 1938 |
Pattern W6 was introduced in 1939. It was on fine stone - a more modern name for Spode's stone china. It was again similar to pattern 3504.
Sometimes the border of the pattern was used alone with a badge or coat of arms replacing the central panel. The panel shape was also used in pattern number 2/6750 introduced in about 1915 but with a completely different design in the centre.
