Early Spode 16.5" Greek Pattern Platter, Meat Drainer + 2 Dinner Plates c.1806. Posted by Royal Mail Tracked 48.

Please see the item specifics for more information and the below reported conditions for each of the pieces. Please also reference all the pictures as they form a part of the condition reported below.

Objects: Rectangular Transfer-Printed Serving Dish (Platter)  - Printed Meat Straining Dish - 9.75" Dinner Plates.

Pattern: Greek Pattern (P906)

Date: Circa 1806-1833

Medium: Earthenware, Underglaze Blue Transfer Print

These striking blue-and-white dishes are quintessential examples of the Neo-classical Greek Pattern. The design, introduced by Spode in 1806, was created in response to the massive demand for classical imagery that accompanied the Greek Revival architectural and design movement sweeping Europe.

The Platter: The dense overall pattern features complex borders of neoclassical motifs and urns set against a delicate fruit and flower ground. The centerpiece is the stunning oval medallion depicting "Centaurs Battling Theseus." These specific scenes were not random choices; they were lifted directly from the highly influential Collection of Engravings from Ancient Vases by Wilhelm Tischbein, a catalogue published in the 1790s detailing Greek artifacts owned by Sir William Hamilton. By drawing inspiration from these seminal archaeological texts, the pottery elevated its product from simple dinnerware to a token of classical education and refined taste. 

This piece has one larger chip to the lower right face side edge along with another two minor chips also to the face side edges. Otherwise general good condition with minor wear and tear to include scratches and scuffs to the underside, some surface wear to the pattern commensurate with age.

The Drainer/Strainer: This pattern is printed in blue underglaze on an earthenware drainer. This scene represents Bellerophon riding Pegasus after his victory over the monstrous beast, Chimera.

This piece has a sizeable portion near the top edge broken away otherwise general good overall condition elsewhere. The only piece to bear an impressed Spode mark (suggesting this piece may have been a later addition to the set c.1833-1847).

The Dinner Plates: This pattern is printed in blue underglaze on an indented earthenware dinner plate.  In this mythological scene, Zeus (Jupiter) is shown riding to visit his mortal lover, Semele.

These each have faults to include heavy crazing, chips to their outer rims and scratches to their face sides.

Measurements;

Platter: 16.5 x 12.75 inches.

Drainer: 13 x 9 inches.

Dinner Plates 9.75 inches diameter.

Potential References

Drakard, David & Holdway, Paul: Spode Transfer Printed Ware 1784-1833, Pages 248-250 (Pattern Number P906-11).

Tischbein, Wilhelm: Collection of Engravings from Ancient Vases (For the original source of the central image).