In Castle pattern the central view is taken from an aquatint engraved print of the Gate of San Sebastian at Capena. This gateway is in the walls of Rome at the start of the Appian Way. The aquatint was included in a book entitled 'Merigot's Views of Rome and Its Vicinity' published 1796-98. Spode's pattern is thought to date from 1806. Castle was the first of several Spode patterns to be influenced by these prints.

From the late eighteenth century onwards, no young gentleman could claim his place in society without having undertaken the Grand Tour of the classical sites of Europe. Italy became a "finishing school" for the British aristocracy and was to remain so for the next 50 years. Books of prints showing popular sites on the Grand Tour became popular with returning tourists. By around 1805 Spode realised the scope of the 'Grand Tourist' market and began to use the images to decorate his transfer-printed wares. Other potters also produced Castle pattern - Spode used a particular pale blue for his design.

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

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