As youâve probably guessed, the date of c.1814 is when the âTowerâ pattern was first introduced by Spode and doesnât in any way relate to the age of the piece itself. The design is taken from an illustration of the Bridge of Salaro near Rome from a book by Merigot, titled âViews of Rome and its Vicinityâ, published c1796-1798.
Dating Spode pieces can be really difficult and you have to use all the clues. The original pattern was in 'medium ultramarine blue' which is quite pale; then by about 1860 in a darker âflow blueâ; and then from about 1894 in a dark royal blue known as âZaffres blueâ until the factory closed in 2009. There was a short period between about 1962-1973 when it was produced in light blue. Generally, the use of the pattern in combination with other design elements means itâs a later piece.
I would say that the dark colour of yours, with no sign of the âbleedâ associated with flow blue, and the fact itâs on a Chinese-style covered vase juxtaposed with oriental decoration means itâs 20th Century. Your piece has a date mark as the letter âDâ after the c.1814 but these can also be difficult to interpret. Sometimes the letter only indicates a month, not a year, and when it does indicate a year it can depend on whether the piece is in bone china, fine stone or earthenware. By 1976, the date letters were standardised, starting with the letter âAâ and I would be pretty sure your vase was made in 1979.