Pattern 1783 Spode Creamware Dessert Plate printed in red enamel with two border patterns using the 'Pluck & Dust' method together with hand-painted sprays of flowers around the border panel and at the centre. This delightfully pretty pattern was introduced at Spode c1811.
I have seen the inner, lozenge shape border on other Spode patterns, notably 1504, 1799 & 1872 but I don't recall seeing the outer border on other pieces. This is a shame because it is a lovely design which has a sinuous form similar to Art Nouveau style about it.
This Spode creamware Dessert Plate measures 8.25 inches or 21 cms in diameter and the creamware is very light in weight. It is marked to its base with an impressed 'SPODE' mark with serifs on the letter S plus a number which would have been a workman's mark. It also has its pattern number '1783' written in red enamel and a decorator's mark.
The pattern dates to c1811, but the impressed mark dates the piece between 1812 & 1833. It is most unusual for the written pattern number to be placed here on the border rim. The fact that the creamware is very light in weight would date this piece closer to 1812. Spode's creamware in subsequent years was more robust & utilitarian.
This particular plate was part of the George Worlock Collection of Spode which was sold at Stroud Auction Rooms, Gloucestershire in August 2013. George & his wife Nicky were members of the Spode Society from 1986 and he contributed many well-researched articles for the Spode Review (members magazine). He was an avid collector of Spode ceramics and his collection contained over 900 pieces. In 2003 he became the Editor of the Spode Review & sadly he died in 2008 from an inoperable brain tumour.
Unfortunately his personal collection label had been removed when I purchased this piece.
If you are interested in joining the Spode Society & receiving a copy of the Spode Review twice a year here is a link: