Spode's medium blue pearlware pattern, "Gothic Castle" combines European, Middle Eastern and Oriental scenic elements. The scene, depicted in the center of this compote focuses around a prominent European "Gothic Castle" which is depicted to the left.   Chinoiserie elements scattered through the pattern include the vase of flowers on the foreground promontory and the oversize pine trees and shrubbery. A cemetery based on Middle Eastern views is depicted to the right. Bridges in the lower quadrant of the pattern maintain an Asian sense of perspective, utilizing white space to create a sense of water flowing throughout the pattern. This Eastern perspective gives both the cemetery and the castle a flatness similar to stage scenery. Spode complements the scene with a border combining various traditional Chinese ground patterns (as seen on traditional export wares) studded with medallions of exotic animals.  On this cavette shape compote, this border, framing the center scene around the inside rim is also repeated around the foot.  Additional scenery and architecture continue the "Gothic Castle" motif around the exterior of the compote. 

Spode's combination of European, Middle Eastern and Oriental elements, although executed here in chinoiserie style, reflects an early nineteenth century shift in taste away from the Chinese toward scenic, pastoral and European patterns. This shift would continue to be reflected in transferware patterns through the 1820's.