Spode decorates this dessert size stone china plate in their classic "Cabbage" pattern -- sometimes referred to as "Tobacco."  Inspiration for the pattern derives from the highly esteemed wares from China found in the homes of the English aristocracy.  Taking advantage of similarities of their slightly gray-blue tinted body to Chinese goods,  Spode's "Cabbage" decoration emulates the mysterious floral designs found on oriental wares both in terms of subject and asymmetrical arrangement.  

The light blue transfer pattern consists of a prominent, heavily textured leaf -- nicknamed "Cabbage" among the Staffordshire workmen, -- highlighted in deep red enamel with gilt.  A cluster of smaller blossoms, highlighted in varying shades of rust and pink with green, surrounds this leaf.  The plate is bordered with a tight band of blue and rust from which hang three sprigs of gnarled vine softened by blossoms painted in shades of pink and rust. Gilt is used to add additional detail throughout the pattern.   

In his 1970 work, Spode, A History Of The Family, Factory And Wares From 1733 To 1833 (p.191,194), Leonard Whiter includes a discussion of Spode's stone china, noting that the body was introduced between 1813 and 1814.  The partial impressed mark on this piece refers to improvements made in 1822, after which the wares were labeled "New Stone." This mark continues from 1822 into the transfer of  ownership to the Copeland and Garrett partnership in 1833 -- subsequent pieces are found with both the impressed mark and the Copeland and Garrett backstamp. 

While among Spode's earliest stone china offerings, "Cabbage," along with the third version of "Peacock" (No. 2118),  was among the longest running patterns among the Spode offerings.  "Peacock" remained in production until 1963; "Cabbage" was still in production as late as 1970.  White further reports that, unlike many patterns, "Cabbage" was made without design alterations at least through the transfer of ownership to Copeland and Garrett in 1833. (By contrast, seventeen variations of "Peacock" were offered in the same period.)

Additional "Cabbage" pattern pieces  available on the the Seekers website are shown in the final photo.