Aesops Fables was first introduced in about 1830 at the end of the Spode period. It is a multi-scene pattern which illustrates the famous Aesop's Fables. The pattern had a specially engraved backstamp which incorporated the name of the fable illustrated.

The designs were taken from illustrations used in the 1793 edition of the Reverend Samual Croxall's Fables of Aesops. Croxall was published many times and in many formats and illustrated by many artists.

The early Spode pattern is found mostly in green with other colours including blue being rare. A full list of subjects used can be found in the book detailed below by Drakard and Holdway.

In the late 1990s the pattern was reintroduced as part of The Blue Room Collection.

Shown here with the other patterns in the Traditions Collection: six blue underglaze period designs on Spode's Camilla shape. Milkmaid, Lucano, Caramanian, Greek, Castle and Aesop's Fables.

Further reading: Spode and Copeland Marks and Other Relevant Intelligence by Robert Copeland, published by Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-80069-2. Spode Printed Ware by D.Drakard and P. Holdway, published by Longman. ISBN 0-582-50314-0