Bidspirit auction | Set 4 Spode ”Tree of

Set 4 Spode ”Tree of Life” Early Dishes w/ Trays - Spode, England. Set of four pattern 282 ”Tree of Life” porcelain reticulated baskets with undertrays, ca. 1801-06. Total of eight pieces. Each piece marked with an imitation Chinese double ring mark; the trays with gilt pattern number. Provenance: Rochelle Thomas of Palm Beach - Fine Antique Porcelain, Palm Beach, FL, April 20, 1981; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. This pattern was first introduced by Josiah Spode II ca. 1801 and depicts a central gnarled tree with blossoms and bands of decoration. It is designed after Japanese Kakiemon designs. The pattern proved so popular that it was reproduced in 1813 as pattern 2038. (Trays, each) Length: 9 in x width: 7 1/4 in. (Vessels, each) Height: 2 in x width: 8 in x depth: 5 1/2 in. Condition: Crazing to the glaze along each of the pieces, and especially the trays. One tray with a hairline crack along the center of the plate as well as several smaller hairline cracks along the reticulated elements; there are signs of restoration and a large area that fluoresces under UV light along the underside of the plate. There are two addition trays with signs of restoration that fluroresce under UV light, visible along the undersides of the plates; one of these trays with a hairline crack to the reticulated elements. One tray with a small chip to the rim; a second tray with a minute chip to the footrim. To one of the dishes, there are several repaired breaks and signs of restoration, including a repaired crack that extends from the rim to the center of the underside of the dish; toning to this repair. There are signs of restoration and repair to two handles of the dishes. Two dishes each with a minute, toned hairline crack along one of the reticulated elements, visible upon close inspection. Each of the baskets with a large round area of residual adhesive accretions, likely from a past label. Wear and some losses to the gilt and pigment throughout. Light wear along the surfaces, commensurate with use.