Spode Copeland Duncan Rural Scenes Brown & White Tablescape

I love talking about this particular Spode pattern as not only am I drawn to the rural scenes each piece depicts but it has an interesting story behind it.  It is called Duncan Scenes, Duncan Scenes Brown, Rural Scenes (most common) or Priscilla Alden.  

In 1849 W. T. Copeland (Spode Copeland) commissioned Edward Duncan to paint a series of sepia watercolors, depicting English country life, which would extensively inspire a full range of tablewares.  The design was registered in 1850.

 In 1878 production grew limited.  Duncan scenes was printed in brown on a cream body earthenware.  The shape was called Amien Embossed which featured Gadroon rims.   A service was retained by the Copeland family as part of their private collection / dinner service and later passed to descendant Robert Copeland. 

I have some of these same pieces in my collection and shop.

  I've set a table for two using dinner plates, soup plates, dessert plates and small bowls.  Each piece features a different scene.

 The table is simple with just a few gathered objects on a tray as a centerpiece.  The basket weave pillar candle is from Zest Candles.  The bull planter filled with roses is from home...love it with these dishes and the pitcher is from the Rural Scenes pattern.  The flatware is San Remo...think it's Hampton or Cambridge.  I never can remember!

The cabinet below is filled with nothing but brown Spode.  There are four patterns here, including Duncan/ Rural Scenes in Brown.

 Below are some other pieces found in the cream bodied earthenware.

Shell shaped relish tray 

A Huge Serving Platter (Turkey sized)

Another large serving platter measuring just over 15"

And a smaller, 11" platter

Small bowl

How cool is the bamboo shaped handle on this creamer?

I've decided that this lid does not actually belong with the sugar bowl.  It doesn't fit quite right and I feel certain that the finial on the top would probably match the bamboo handles.  What do you think?

 Butter Pat

Cup and Saucer

My favorite piece is this teapot with gilt trim and a matching trivet.  It is the only one I have come across thus far in this pattern.

Fluted/scalloped serving piece

Each of these pieces has a similar, impressed stamp on the back/underside reading Copeland in an arched shape and a letter beneath.  

Edward Duncan (1803-1882) who painted all of the beautiful watercolors for this service is equally known for his maritime art than his landscape scenes of farms and animals.  He was an advocate of the British Watercolor Schools and a painstakingly skilled artist whose watercolors are some of the most technically detailed and defined.  In addition to watercolor, Duncan trained in oil and was also a professional engraver with his own studio in London and created works primarily for Fores of Piccadilly.  He was a prolific exhibitionist when it came to his own paintings, showing over 40 at the Royal Academy and Society of British Artists and another 500, including drawings, at shows of the Old and New Watercolor Society.  A collection of his works are on display at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.

Sheep Feeding on the Downs, 1850

I love seeing collections grouped and displayed together.  What great visual impact!

(photo courtesy Andrew Pye of Blue and White)

Rural Scenes can also be found in blue, black, black polychrome and red polychrome.  It is also found in the Royal Jasmine Marina series with a hops border.  I'll show some of these pieces in another post.  Until then...I will be joining the following:

Between Naps On The Porch
Shabby Chic Cottage
Second Time Around Tuesday
Thriftyville Thursday 
Vintage Thingy Thursday
My Cottage Charm 
Common Ground
White Wednesday at Faded Charm

French Country Cottage
Brambleberry Cottage 
Funky Junk Interiors
Romantic Home