A simple cylinder form vase bears a rich band of shiny cobalt blue between two gilded dot...

A simple cylinder form vase bears a rich band of shiny cobalt blue between two gilded dot borders. The deep blue gives appropriately elegant contrast to two vignettes of exotic birds--perhaps pheasants--executed entirely in gilt. Looking closer, one perceives a busy pattern of raised dots and squiggles providing details and texture to bring the birds to life. Even the simple dots of the border are graced with a tiny raised point in each center.

Leonard Whiter in his definitive work Spode (1970) discusses the "raised gold" technique o...

Leonard Whiter in his definitive work Spode (1970) discusses the "raised gold" technique of decoration. Raised details were built up on the surface by brushing on a paste mixture. The relief, vulnerable to cracking, was dried slowly, fired, and then gilded. As this tiny vase shows, a variety of textural effects could be achieved.

Spills were sticks used to transfer fire from the hearth to a candle, pipe or whatever--a sort of headless matchstick. Spill vases, easily identified by their elegant cylinder form, sat on a mantle piece or nearby table to hold a quantity of spills ready to be put to use.