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01 January 2019

Spode, January and Winter

This beautiful printed tile, dating from the late 1800s, depicts January from a set of twelve designs representing the months of the year.

I have blogged about it before and you can find details here: Spode in January
'Seasons' pattern, design for Winter
Another pattern tying in with this time of year is 'Seasons', first recorded in about 1837. At this time the company was known as Copeland & Garrett. There are different versions of the pattern and it is also called 'Italian Garden' and there is a version called 'Seasons Star'. The central design for Winter features ice skaters in front of The Kremlin behind a large vase, inscribed 'Winter', full of tumbling flowers & foliage.

The 'Seasons' name refers as much to the border of the pattern which depicts four cherubs, representing Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, as to the centres, which are sometimes named with a month or season.
Detail of border design depicting cherubs
'Italian Garden', backstamp c1842
Footbath, Seasons Star printed in green (from Worthpoint)
Footbath (detail), Seasons Star printed in green (from Worthpoint)
You can find more black & white images of 'Seasons' pattern HERE>