Spode's Stafford Flowers takes its inspiration from the famous Spode dessert services of the early 1800s, which was richly decorated with botanical species - each piece showing a different flower. The flowers depicted are usually botanically correct and were prepared using illustrations taken from Curtis's Botanical Magazine which was first published in the 1790s.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine dating from the late 1700s right through to the 1950s were bought by the company in the early 1900s to be used as source material for designs. The Copelands, who owned Spode, also had a keen interests in botany.

It is thought that images from the Botanical Magazines inspired some of the transfer printed patterns made at Spode although this is yet to be proved. Direct copies of the flowers can be found on the hand painted dessert services of the early 1800s together with the botanical name painted on to the backs of the pieces.

Stafford Flowers pattern is unusual in the number and variety of botanical species represented. Each shape is decorated with at least one and usually two different flowers. The Stafford shape has been in production since the mid-19th century. Based on a silver shape, it was popular for crested and monogrammed services. The shape has been decorated with some of Spode's most elaborate and expensive patterns including Stafford Flowers, Lancaster Cobalt and Golden Valley, all of which are still in production.

10" plate Iris & Sphaerolobium 9" plate Narcissus & Crowea
8" plate Sida & Acacia
6" plate Tacheadenus
Soup plate Narcissus & Crowea
Soup cup Oenothera & Serapias
Soup saucer Sida & Acacia
Crescent salad Alyssum
Cereal bowl Tachiadenus
16" oval dish Weigela & Lavender
14" oval dish Rhododendron & Dianthus
12" oval dish Weigela & Lavender
Open veg. dish Aerides
Square salad bowl Iris & Sphaerolobium
Soup tureen Alyssum & Gentiana
Soup tureen stand Weigela & Lavender/ Campanula
Covered veg. dish Gilia/Iris & Sphaerolobium
Sauce boat Oenothera & Serapias/ Burtonia
Sauce boat stand Lobelia
Pickle dish Lobelia
Tea cup Camellia/ Polygala/ Thunbergia
Tea saucer Oxalis
Coffee cup Thunbergia/ Syringa
Coffee saucer Dipteracanthus
Bread & butter Narcissus & Crowea
Coffee pot Aerides/Lobelia
Teapot Campanula & Penstemon
Sugar box Penstemon/ Camellia
Cream jug Camellia/ Polygala
Milk jug, Tea Burtonia/ Dipteracanthus
Bud vase Selenia/ Nepeta
Cache pot Weigela & Lavender/Campanula
Centrepiece Weigela & Lavender
Coaster Dipteracanthus
Comport, Low Iris & Sphaerolobium
Comport, Tall Iris & Sphaerolobium
Handled tray Lobelia
Oval tray Sida & Acacia
Pot pourri, Round Dipteracanthus/ Salvia & Rhododendron
Pot pourri, Tall Salvia & Rhododendron/ Dipteracanthus
Rectangular box Sida & Acacia
10" Round bowl Iris & Sphaerolobium
7" Round bowl Sida & Acacia/ Burtonia
3½" Rd covered box Dipteracanthus
Sauce tureen Iris & Sphaerolobium 10.5"
Shell tray Iris & Sphaerolobium 4.5"
Square tray Dipteracanthus
Tea caddy Selena & Oenothera/Salvia & Rhododendron
Triangular tray Sida & Acacia Vase l/s Sida & Acacia/ Calceolaria & Sonerila
Vase s/s Camellia/ Dipteracanthus
9" Wall plates:
1. Narcissus & Crowea
2. Iris & Sphaerolobium
3. Sida & Acacia
4. Rosa & Salvia
5. Rhododendron & Prinsepia
6. Jasminium & Prostanthera
Tankards:
1. Salvia & Rhododendron
2. Nepeta & Berberis
3. Rosa & Berberis
4. Sida & Seleria
Lasagne Dish Weigela & Lavender (L/S) Rhododendron & Dianthus (S/S)
Round Casserole Oenethera & Serapias (S/S) Sida & Acacia
Oval Baking Dish Weigela & Lavender
Flan Dish Narcissus & Crowea
Square Dish Sida & Acacia
Divided Dish Oenethera & Serapias/ Rhododendron & Salvia
Centrepiece Oenethera & Serapias
Oval Fluted Dish Rhododendron & Dianthus
Square Bowl Campanuila, Burtonia, Sida & Acacia
Buffet tray Campanula
Fish Dish Weigela & Lavender

Not all pieces listed above are currently available

We are grateful to the Spode Museum in producing this account of Spode's Stafford Flowers pattern.