Spode Fleur De Lys and Christmas Rose
Fleur de Lys pattern has been produced by Spode in various colours, on different shapes and on different bodies since 1852. The Fleur de Lys, or iris, figures prominently in European heraldry being particularly associated with French royalty.
The grey version was introduced in 1955 and withdrawn in 1974. It was printed in silver-grey and edged in silver. Fleur de Lys was also produced in red and blue by spode in about 1962. These version were withdrawn in 1973. The gold version, is now the only pattern still in production.
These patterns were all produced on Chelsea shape in bone china. Although only produced on china now, it was produced on earthenware in the past and is probably the oldest pattern on this particular shape of ware. Again several versions were produced. The main versions on earthenware were brown introduced in 1954; a blue version, produced in different shades but latterly in Saxe blue, was produced by Spode in 1892 and there was also a pink version. The earliest record of the pattern is in 1852 but this was produced on a plain shape.
We are grateful to the Spode Museum in producing this account of Spode's Fleur De Llys pattern.
Christmas Rose, introduced by Spode in 1990, features a border design of Christmas rose, holly and mistletoe. The Christmas rose has the Latin name Helleborus niger and is a much-loved garden plant producing pure white flowers at Christmas time. Used with traditional holly and mistletoe this Spode design is a firm favourite for the Christmas season.
The flowers and branches are intertwined in a wreath around the border of the plate following the style of Victorian patterns produced at the Spode factory. Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, is credited with introducing the Christmas Tree into the UK and from the late 1840s the Christmas Festivities begin to assume a different style. Following this new fashion, Christmas designs start to appear in the Spode pattern books from about 1848.
Spode were probably one of the first ceramic manufacturers to follow these new trends and produced patterns using holly borders entwined with mistletoe and seasonal flowers on serving plattens as well as on toilet wares such as ewers and basins. Still a firm Christmas Favourite Spode continue to
produce a full range of Tableware in the Christmas Rose pattern.
We are grateful to the Spode Museum in producing this account of Spode's Christmas Rose pattern.
