Spode combines transfer printing with overglaze hand-enameling to create this visually arresting charger. Typically, the printed "Groups" pattern consists of a cluster of Chinese-style flowers on a white ground accompanied by a border of  complementary floral clusters arranged around the flange. Border and center florals are separated by a narrow Chinese ground pattern band which is repeated around the outer edge.   In this variant Chinese-red and bright green enamels are applied in a blossoming vine pattern to completely obscure the white areas, achieving a rich denseness impossible through transfer printing alone. Note the white blooms, actually un-enamelled areas delicately detailed with red to emerge as blossoms. The rich overall effect achieved is unique in Spode's blue printed tableware.

In the 1820's, Spode and a few other producers of blue printed tablewares sought to enlarge their product lines by adding enamel colors to the white background areas of their patterns. Customers could then choose between the original blue and white or the enameled versions. The practice is sometimes referred to by the very inexact term "clobbering."

Typically very simple one-color enhancements were added to the printed pieces, in contrast to the fully-developed secondary floral pattern seen here . This pattern represents the most elaborate example of this enameling technique and--obviously difficult to produce--is quite rare.

Two dessert bowls available, $395.00 each.  Email for details or photos.