Thursday, August 20, 2015

382: A Slop Bowl Revelation

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


One of the most fulfilling aspects of writing Chronica Domus is the interaction I share with you, my readership, through the comments section. I enjoy the stories you share, the wit, repartee, and the nuggets of knowledge you collectively pass along.  I always learn something new, thank you.

Occasionally I receive emails too.  One morning last week, while enjoying my early morning cuppa, a most interesting email from a reader in the United Kingdom landed in my message box. Fiona, a keen collector of Spode ceramics, wrote to tell me that she had read my post on slop bowls, found here, and wanted to share some information on the bowl which I had described as a particular favorite of mine.  It is pictured in the photograph above.

Fiona kindly informed me that I had erroneously written that the bowl had been decorated using a process known as bat printing.  She went on to explain that the monochrome pastoral scenes had in fact been accomplished by hand painting. Furthermore, Fiona was able to pinpoint the exact year of manufacture, 1803, which was two years earlier than my best guess. I was gobsmacked. How, I wondered, had she known all this?  I had long assumed that these early pieces were exclusively decorated through the bat printed method.

Fiona's extensive knowledge of early Spode led her to believe my bowl had a pattern number associated with the decoration, 382.  Champing at the bit in anticipation of validating Fiona's hunch, I toddled over to my slop bowl, which currently resides atop the drawing room's secretary bookcase.  I took a quick gander at its base, and there they were.  Three little numbers, 382.  Fiona was indeed correct. 

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


Chronica Domus
No doubt about it now, this bowl had been hand painted and not bat printed as I had mistakenly assumed
Photo: Chronica Domus


Suddenly, I was staring at what I had previously thought to have been printed scenes with fresh perspective and slightly wider eyes. The little vignettes were very obviously painted by a skilled artist upon closer examination, something I would have missed entirely were it not for Fiona's astute observations. No wonder this particular slop bowl appealed so strongly!  It has long become a most cherished bowl, particularly because of its handsome decoration.  Knowing it was hand painted has only increased its charm and appeal.  I adore it.

Ever the dipso that I am for knowledge, and having had my curiosity aroused by Fiona, my thoughts turned next to the various cups and saucers I own bearing similar vignettes to the slop bowl.  Had I been wrong about those pieces too? Were they also hand painted? Individually painted ceramics represented a far more costly method of decoration than bat printing, and certainly more time consuming to be sure.  I could not wait to investigate.

A quick fumble through my groaning cupboards produced several examples, each baring varied bucolic landscape scenes.  At first glance, my untrained eye was not able to detect any perceptible difference in decoration. Pattern marks on the undersides of the cups and saucers were lacking, which was of no help to me. Apparently, only the larger, more expensive items were marked at the factory during the company's early days. Having lingered over the individual pieces for a few moments longer, I was finally convinced that there had indeed been more than one method employed in decorating these handsome ceramics. Here is what I found.

Chronica Domus
A Spode bat printed cup and saucer
Photo: Chronica Domus


...and 

Chronica Domus
A Spode hand painted cup and saucer
Photo: Chronica Domus


Now, as many of you might have already detected, details excite me. I relish them, in fact. Bearing this in mind, you'll quite understand the level of excitement that Fiona's revelation had sparked within me. I was now looking at my early Spode wares with new found interest and fascination.

The first cup and saucer set appeared more silvery grey in tone and less detailed than the second.  The scenes are more dotty in appearance when viewed from close proximity.  The second cup and saucer set achieves its look through a denser form of decoration.  One can clearly identify it is hand painted when studying the delicate and painstakingly detailed brush strokes that went into painting the foliage of the trees. The color appears to veer towards a charcoal grey when compared to the first cup and saucer.

Consulting my well-thumbed copy of  Mr. Godden's An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain, I discover an illustration straight from Spode's pattern book of the hand painted Pattern 382.

Chronica Domus
Pattern 382 lifted directly from Spode's factory pattern book appears in Mr. Godden's tome identifying the decoration as having been hand painted
Photo: Chronica Domus


Fiona's email further states that the hand painted pieces were a fore-runner to the bat printed wares, which is how she was able to accurately date my slop bowl to 1803. Hand painting was performed for only about a year before bat printing was introduced.

Chronica Domus
Pieces of Pattern 382 as shown on Page 300 of Mr. Godden's tome confirming my slop bowl was indeed decorated by hand
Photo: Chronica Domus


On the opposite page, Mr. Godden showcases similar tea wares decorated using bat prints.

Chronica Domus
Ah, there they are, my bat printed cups and saucers
Photo: Chronica Domus


I cannot thank the knowledgeable Fiona enough for her email and my ensuing enlightenment regarding these attractive ceramics.  They bring me abundant joy with their use. What is the point of owning such pretty little things if they are solely to be admired from afar?  I believe it is always much more pleasurable, and fun, to put these objects to good service. Besides, I cannot express enough how delicious tea tastes while being sipped from thin-walled bone china cups.

Fiona, my untrained eye has forever been honed, and for that I am most eternally grateful to you. Thank you.

Do any of you own a treasure that brought you much joy only to be further enhanced by the discovery of its provenance or manufacture?  Do please tell me about it.


24 comments:

  1. I have never encountered a 'Fiona' that I didn't find thoroughly charming as this one sounds delightful as well as generous. CD, I would heretofore have thought it a mortifying experience for us both if I were to clumsily utter "slopbowl" at your well kept table in the perhaps unlikely but much yearned for occasion to be your on-his-best-behavior guest (btw, my calendar is clear starting this Tuesday thru 2023).
    The one little item I cherish above all others is a tiny little Robert Burns datebook well over 90 years old and threadbare to the point of ruin. In it written in my Grandfather Pete's hand (that dapper fellow you've seen) are all the important dates with little notes such as in 1935 when, as a teen, his parents died 6 months apart, his wedding day to the charming and beautiful Dodie, all his kids birthdays and of course his grandkids including mine. I was closer to him than any other member of my family even though we spent relatively little time together. Every member of my family commented how much we were alike. I used to sit on the floor in his study in his later years mesmerized at watching him conduct business with people over the phone all over the world. As I've said before, after Orson Welles, he had the best American speaking voice I've ever heard.
    I just love your little discovery via Fiona even if slopbowls and china isn't a particular interest of mine.

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    1. Hello dear GSL,

      You are welcome at my table at any time, of course, and you already know about my annual "Waifs and Strays" Thanksgiving dinner. Shall save a seat for you. Oh, and don't feel shy about using the deliciously sounding "slop bowl" around these parts. We love it! Far more colorful than a waste bowl we feel.

      The datebook that belonged to your grandfather is a real treasure and much cherished by the sounds of it. Do please consider writing a post dedicated to the little book and include a photograph or two. I for one would be most interested in reading more about both the book and your grandfather.

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  2. How fascinating! I love finding something I've been drawn to has a more important/ interesting provenance than originally thought. I often think you're drawn to quality instinctively, which was obviously the case with the slop bowl. I'm sure it was a treasured piece because the hand painting was so much richer than bat printing.
    My only thing I can think of off the top of my head was a tiny watercolour I bought at estate auction. I googled the painters name, and it was painted around 120 year ago by a man who specialised in painting railroad posters in England, you'll know the ones, they were advertising holidays in Bournemouth etc. He was apparently a well regarded artist at the time, so after reframing it looks right at home in my sitting room. I'm not sure it's worth a lot of money (this is not an undiscovered Picasso), but it has a charming sea side scene of boats in a harbour on it, and I think for the original price it was a lovely thing to have picked up.

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    1. Hello Heidi,

      You may be onto something with your quality comment. I blame my parents entirely for this trait. They were always so particular about things (clothes, furnishings, acquaintances). Quality over quantity is what they preached so something must have worn off by now!

      I know exactly the railroad posters you described. How very fortunate for you to have unearthed a little watercolor related to the artist. Are you planning a post on that? Would adore seeing a snap of it in situ if you wish to share.

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  3. Does Fiona have a blog? Instagram even? I loved this/ it was like antiques roadshow 2.0

    I must say looking at it knowing it was hand painted does make your eye linger that much longer.

    This reminded me of one of those in depth documentaries shown on nhk where people get into the detail and art and detective work meet!

    I don't have a story as interesting but recently I did do some googling of my own on a recent auction find so I might do a quick post on it next week inspired by this post'

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    1. Hello Naomi,

      Do see Fiona's comment below, which answers your question about a blog of IG. Now, that would be an interesting site and I could well see myself lost in the beauty of it all.

      The nhk documentary sounds right up my alley. At school, I was often to be found buried in a book researching whatever was on my mind. I always loved it when I made a connection to something I was researching and I got that "Eureka!" moment. Thank goodness for the internet which has proved to be the biggest library I ever stepped foot into.

      Do please post on your auction find. When I get around to it, I'm going to do a post on a painting I won at auction last month. I've been Googling about that too and I'm all confused as a result of what I've unearthed.

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  4. Hello again CD, thank you for providing the link to this story which you tell far, far better than I could possibly do so. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it & you have also provided me with a snippet of information regarding a Spode pattern that I didn’t previously have.

    Your article illustrates the line drawings of pattern numbers 382 & 383 taken from one of Godden’s many pottery & porcelain reference books (I do own quite a few of his but not this particular one). I was very interested to see that the cup half illustrated as 383 appears to be either a match or is very similar to one of my coffee cans, which as usual does not have a pattern number on the reverse. (I will send you a photo of it)

    In response to 'Coulda shoulda woulda' I don't have a blog but I am working on compiling a Spode pattern number database & may at some point decide to put it online. I know that it would be a very useful resource for anyone interested in either dating their Spode pieces or intrigued with the design trends through the 1800 to 1830 years.

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    1. Hello Fiona,

      Thank you for returning and adding to the commentary here today. I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed reading about our email and information exchange on these little treasures, and that I too may have taught you something along the way. I've gone back to the Godden book and taken a photograph of Pattern 383 which I have just emailed to you. I hope it helps in your research.

      Naomi from Coulda shoulda woulda posed an interesting question and I'm so glad you responded with an answer in regards to a blog or Instagram account. A pattern database for Spode sounds exceedingly interesting and I do hope you decide to share it on-line eventually. If you do, please email me with information on how I would access it as I think my readers would be most interested, thank you. It would certainly be a fascinating repository of ceramic design trends in what is my favorite period in decorative arts.

      Thank you again Fiona for the inspiration to have written this essay.

      CD

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    2. It's funny BC I have Goddens too mins you probably a rudimentary version but even in my other antique reference books they mentioned the numbers but by no means would my reference books unearthed Fiona's information! This was like that show fake or fortune! But Fiona Instagram might be a fun light version while you work on your database.

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    3. Mr. Godden has written several books on British ceramics and I feel fortunate to have the one I referenced in my post as I purchased it from a local library book sale for a mere couple of dollars. It was a score to say the least. Published in 1966, and at 400 pages, it is a fabulously interesting tome, well illustrated and obviously very well researched. I highly encourage you to look out for it on your travels. Oh, and I agree an Instagram account by Fiona would be a dream!

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  5. So interesting! I agree, whats the point of collecting pretty things if one doesn't use them. I use all of mine on a daily basis!

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    1. Hello AD,

      Of course you would put to service all of your lovely things on a daily basis, but of course, I expected nothing less from such a stylish man!

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  6. How rewarding to have a reader respond to a post with such useful information, especially to one such as yourself, who is interested in the detail and historical context. I too have enjoyed my collecting experiences with paintings, and the information I gleaned about the provenance of the Hoppner helped sell it very well in the Sotheby's sale last December. Ditto in April with an attributed Lemuel Francis Abbott, and I hope the research I have made will enhance the sale of a watercolour consigned to Christie's for their October Topographical sale. What I have learned in each case is far more rewarding than the financial benefit, although that does help, of course. When I first started collecting pictures about ten years ago it was essentially to adorn the walls, but now the surfeit has meant it makes more sense to redeploy the proceeds into other things, (including more paitings, which makes no sense at all)!

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    1. Hello columnist,

      I recall your posts on your research of the paintings you sold at auction, and found it all very interesting. It is fun to make connections from the odd bit of information found here and there to help us understand our possessions a little more.

      Good luck with the sale of the watercolor in October. I do hope you follow up with a post on that too.

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  7. CD,
    Not only is this fascinating, but it made me wonder who previous owners of these beautiful pieces might have been, what would they be wearing while sipping their tea from these lovely cups? How exciting and wonderful. I have had some similar comments of information regarding a topic or two I've written about. I love it when that happens. The world has indeed gotten smaller through the use of the internet. Thank you for sharing, this is really great.
    xo,
    Karen

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    1. Hello Karen,

      I too have wondered who owned practically my entire household as most of the furnishings are antique. I've sat at my dining table, for example, countless times pondering on the dinners that were given, what the diners wore, ate, drank, and where exactly the table was located before finding its way to me half way across the world whence it was made. Can you imagine the gossip overheard by my cups, saucers, and slop bowl in the drawing rooms of demure ladies during their afternoon tea parties? It is all so marvelously delicious if you take the time to think about it.

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  8. Dear CD,
    Isn't it wonderful when a personal treasure becomes more special when one receives greater enlightenment about that treasure's characteristics? I love collecting silver serving pieces and a friend showed me an online encyclopedia of silver hallmarks that has been most helpful in identifying when and where a piece was made as well as by whom. My favorite is an English fish server which is approximately 200 years old. Alas, the hallmarks are visible but too worn to distinguish.Nevertheless it's a reason to prepare fish for guests, just to use this elegant implement.
    Cheers,
    KL Gaylin

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    1. Hello KL Gaylin,

      It sounds as though you too have a thirst for knowledge on your silver treasures. It makes things far more interesting (to me) if I know a little of their history.

      Would you consider sharing the link to the silver hallmarks? Earlier this year, I purchased a piece that I've been unable to identify the maker. The dealer said it was German and that is all I know about it. Would adore deciphering the hallmarks on the piece, thank you.

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    2. Hello CD,
      Delighted to share...the url is http://www.925-1000.com/
      entitled Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Makers' Marks. It contains a wealth of information not just about domestic and international sterling, but also silverplate, flatware patterns and other resources. The site's author welcomes questions on silver that is not already covered on the website.
      Happy searching....
      KL Gaylin

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    3. Thank you for coming back and sharing the silver hallmarks link. I look forward to snooping around it in hopes of identifying the German marks on my piece of silver. The author may just be hearing from me soon if I've not been successful.

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  9. I love it when objects are a window to history. Amazing!

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    1. Hello Jen,

      I like the way you put that, thank you. I shall never tire of looking at the view.

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  10. I'm publishing the following comment that landed in my email box:

    Hello CD,

    First I must apologize for my difficulties in commenting on your recent posts. In Ohio this summer, I had imperfect internet access, and now that I am back in Taiwan, there is a weird problem with your blog only, that it does not want to load completely, so that I can read it, but cannot comment.
    I have followed with great fascination the ever-augmenting series of notes between you and Fiona, exploring and revealing the origin of your beautiful slop bowl. As you well know, one of the main reasons that I collect is for the fun of researching my finds, and this is even better when knowledgeable experts and original resource materials pitch in.
    Of course, the best case scenario is when the new information reveals that the object is even better than previously suspected. One experience I had like that was back when I collected small Egyptian antiquities. I had purchased a wooden box as Late Period, perhaps 600 BC. However, the proportions and quality of the box made me suspect that it was something better, so I took it to an expert at the museum, and he confirmed that based on the hieroglyphs, it dated from the (much better) Third Intermediate Period, about 1000 BC. I suppose that this doesn't make a great difference in the value of the box, but learning about the box and its inscription makes me appreciate it in a new way.

    Congratulations on your "new" hand-painted bowl,

    Jim (from Parnassus blog)

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    1. Jim, if you are reading, thank you for contacting me via email. I'm sorry you've been having trouble loading and commenting on CD. Might you try to clear your history, cookies, cache etc. Perhaps that will solve the issue.

      The story of your wooden box is a wonderful example of why I too enjoy learning about old things. To think that your box turned out to be much older than had previously thought, and made in a "much better" period must have come as a wonderful surprise to you. Well done on your sleuthing!

      I hope you enjoyed your Ohio trip this summer and hope your connectivity/commenting issues are resolved soon as I've missed your insightful comments here on the blog.

      CD

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Please do leave a comment as I enjoy the dialogue with my readership, thank you.

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