Very Large 19th C. Spode Transferware Platter – “Net” Pattern

Spode “Net" pattern meat platter, circa 1810.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 20¾” x 15¾”.
 
The border is edged with gilding.
 
The border also has a floral and diaper pattern into which four vignettes of Asiatic scenes are inset.
 
The center design gives the pattern its name "Net" because of the net background in the central medallion that contains a flower cross. 
 
This medallion is surrounded by four additional vignettes containing Chinese style landscapes, each different from the others and these, in turn, are set in a background of floral designs.
 
The reverse is unmarked.
 
While a number of firms produced this pattern, including Spode, Herculaneum, Job Ridgway, and others, a unique feature of one of the central vignettes identifies this as a Spode piece.
 
Halliday and Zeller at page 62 in their book “CHINOISERIE, Printed British Ceramics in the Chinese Style 1750 - 1900” note that a unique feature only attributable to some Spode examples is a cross on top of one of the buildings in a central vignette, as is the case here. They note: “The addition of a Christian cross in this Chinese-style landscape is a bit out-of-place and can only cause speculation as to why it was placed there”.
 
References: 
 
“The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880 Vol. I” by Coysh and Henrywood.
 
“The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880 Vol. II” by Coysh and Henrywood.
 
“CHINOISERIE, Printed British Ceramics in the Chinese Style 1750 - 1900” by Halliday and Zeller.
 
“SPODE Transfer Printed Ware 1784 – 1833” by Drakeward and Holdway.
 
“Spode’s Willow Pattern and other designs after the Chinese” by Copeland.