K

K Books
There are 3 shape books in the Spode archive: K1, K2 and K3. These record shapes produced at the factory from 1933-1989. The records are usually for shapes which are ornamental, for example a figure or a vase, rather than shapes for tableware. Each unique number is prefixed with K and runs from K1 to K1653. Here are images of 2 K backstamps and you can see more of the greyhounds mentioned on one of my blogs by clicking Spode and Dogs.

K 449 a shape number impressed/incised
on the base of figure of a small Onyx greyhound c1936

K 448 a shape number
impressed on the base of figure of a large Velamour greyhound c1936

For more on Onyx body look under O.

 
K Pans or 'Kitchen Requisites'
Simple yet elegant, well-designed wares for the kitchen marked with a K and known as K pans.

Explore the catalogue pages, dated about 1902-1910, and note the sets of bowls with or without lips, sets of colanders, sets of baker dishes as well as strainers, spoons, jugs, teawares and salad bowls. Everything the well equipped kitchen would require in a large house. Look out for them next time you visit a large house such as those managed by the National Trust.

Kate Bruce
Please click Spode and Kate Bruce to find out about this paintress.

Typical style of hand painted design by Kate Bruce

Kew

Kew pattern centre (detail)

Kew pattern was introduced in 1882. The earliest recorded pattern number is 2/2106. The pattern was produced as a plain print on both earthenware and bone china. A plain print is a pattern produced in one colour. The design was also produced in several different handcoloured, polychrome versions, each of which would be allocated its own unique pattern number, although the pattern name, Kew, remained the same.

The pattern was named after the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, near Richmond, London. The design, with a border of chrysanthemum blooms in panels around a central stylised floral arrangement is in the Aesthetic style which became very popular in the 1870s and 1880s and was inspired by Japanese design.

The Spode company also produced a shape called Kew for dinnerware at this time.

Kew pattern border (detail)

Kitchen Wares
See K Pans above