The crisp bombe form of Ashworth's ironstone cream jug and sugar bowl practically vibrates with an extraordinary variation of the "Bandana" pattern.

The "Bandana" ground backs prominent scalloped reserves on front and back outlined in heavy ochre enamel.  The featured motifs return to the tradition of "Chinese Treasures:"  a vase with a peacock feather and exotic flowers, a bundle of scrolls and a second vessel with a growing plant -- enameled in red, pink, yellow, and greens. 

The softer tones of the reserve contrast with the brilliant orange-red of the "Bandana" ground, consisting of Chinese dogs and medallions surrounded by dense curly cloud motifs. Additional contrast is achieved by highlighting the dogs with strong enamel tones of blue and yellow. These colorful dogs seem to peek around the corners or from behind the central reserves--more like puppies than fierce guardians.

While far removed from its origins, Ashworth's display of exotic objects in the reserve of this "Bandana" variant recalls similar groupings originally found on Chinese export porcelain and copied on earlier British wares.

Robert Copeland (Spode's Willow Pattern And Other Designs After The Chinese , p. 130) notes that these arrangements derived the custom of displaying trophies, the arms of a defeated enemy, in one's home. Eventually such motifs came to identify with specific pursuits, like hunting, music or games and included a wide array of objects associated with various aspects of oriental life. These symbols could also be depicted with conventional representations of sacred vessels, flowers and animals.