Gilded Grandeur: Copeland Spode "Exotic Bird" Plates from Thomas Goode & Co., London

8 3/4" x 8 3/4"

This magnificent quartet of English parcel-gilt porcelain square plates by Copeland Spode, originally retailed by the prestigious T. Goode & Co. of London, offers a captivating journey into porcelain artistry, showcasing a vibrant design, meticulous craftsmanship, and rich historical resonance. Each plate presents a unique and arresting hand-painted exotic bird, resplendent in vivid polychrome hues, set against a pristine white ground and often accompanied by delicate butterflies and insects that add a dynamic sense of life and movement. Framing these central vignettes is an opulent border of deep, rich cobalt blue, masterfully adorned with an intricate, hand-applied gilt scale-patterned design, interspersed with charming polychrome floral roundels and cartouches featuring miniature hand-painted butterflies, insects, and graceful floral garlands, all finished with an elegantly scalloped, gilded rim. These exquisite pieces are a celebrated reinterpretation of the famous "Mecklenburg Service," originally crafted by the renowned Chelsea porcelain factory around 1763 for King George III. Crafted by the esteemed Copeland Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent, with a heritage dating back to 1770, these plates bear the "SPODE COPELAND'S CHINA ENGLAND" manufacturer's mark and the overglaze "T. GOODE & C LONDON" retailer's mark, signifying their production for a high-end luxury market, likely between 1900 and 1920. Spode ceramics are globally recognized for their superior quality and collectibility, and the blend of hand-painted uniqueness, intricate gilding, and a direct connection to an iconic historical design makes this set an exceptionally desirable acquisition for connoisseurs and collectors alike, adding an unparalleled touch of historical elegance and decorative splendor, with one plate exhibiting a stable hairline extending from near the edge to the center, a testament to its storied past.

Sold as a Set

England

Early 1900s