Copeland Spode (England), Gothic Castle pattern

Spode was first produced at the Stoke-on-Trent factory established by Josiah Spode (1733 - 1797) in 1770. Josiah Spode Junior made the first type of English bone china. Spode ware was distinctive for its Willow pattern and for its floral and Japanese design tableware.

The Gothic style was the dominant style of ecclesiastical architecture from the middle and late medieval period, that is from the 12th to the 16th century. In buildings The Gothic style is characterized by its use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses as well as ornate decorative features such as intricate carvings and stained glass windows.

The furniture of the period closely followed the architecture. The Gothic style in furniture has been revived several times: in the 18th century when designers such as Chippendale incorporated Gothic themes into their designs and in the 19th century by the architect, more... designer and artist A. W. Pugin, whose career was at its peak when he designed the Palace of Westminster, the present British Houses of Parliament in the Gothic Revival style.

The Gothic style was a major influence on the arts and architecture of Europe, and it had a lasting impact on the development of Western art and architecture. Today, the term "Gothic" is sometimes used to describe a subculture that is characterized by a fascination with the dark and macabre, as well as a love of medieval and Victorian-era styles. However, this usage is distinct from the original historical meaning of the term. less...