Spode is one of the oldest and most distinguished of the great pottery companies of Staffordshire, the time-honored home of English ceramics. The firm’s blue and white bone china transferware is a timeless classic. Spode dishes compose the sort of elegant dinner service that most of us envision on a traditional holiday table.
The company was established in 1770 in Stoke-on-Trent by Josiah Spode, a friend and neighbor of another estimable English ceramist, Josiah Wedgwood. The Wedgwood firm first came to prominence for its tableware, which quickly gained favor in aristocratic households throughout Britain and Europe.
Spode was particularly known for two technical achievements in the firm’s early decades. The first was to develop a standard formula for the making of bone china — a type of porcelain (made with a mixture of bone ash, minerals and clay) that is dazzlingly white and so strong it can be used to create very thin translucent plates and vessels.
The other advancement was to perfect the making of transferware. That process involves the transfer of pictorial images inked on tissue paper — such as the garden scenery in the famous Willow dish patterns — onto ceramics that are then sealed with a glaze.
From the 1820s onward, Spode enjoyed tremendous success both in Britain and elsewhere owing to the beauty and vitality of its decorative imagery. By some counts, Spode created more than 40,000 patterns in the 19th century.
In 1833, following the sudden death of Josiah Spode III, business partner W. T. Copeland took over the company and changed its name to Copeland Spode (it later changed again, this time to W. T. Copeland and Sons). Collectors regard Copeland-marked pieces as Spode china. The Spode brand was revived in 1970.
Many favorite Spode patterns — among them Blue Italian, Indian Tree, Greek and Woodland — date to the company’s early years. Spode’s most popular pattern, Christmas Tree, was introduced in 1938.
Prices for antique and vintage Spode china vary widely, based on the size of the service, its condition and the pattern. An antique dinner service for 12 people or more, in good repair and complete with cups and serving dishes, will generally cost between $10,000 and $20,000. Such Spode services become heirlooms — a proud and timeless addition to a family’s table. And as you will see on these pages, Spode’s rich and varied wares offer a visual feast in and of themselves.
Find Spode serveware, ceramics and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$256Sale Price|24% Off
Spode Chinese Flowers Bowl, Pearl-Ware, Hand Painted, Circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful bowl or deep plate produced by the Spode factory and made of a type of a pottery called Pearl-ware, in the early 19th Century. The pattern is called "Chinese Flo...
Pearlware
$180Sale Price|37% Off
Early 19th Century Spode Porcelain Coffee Can Hand Gilded Pattern 1099, Ca 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of an English George III period, porcelain, coffee can (cup), made by Spode in the early 19th century, circa 1810. The can is nominally straight sided and h...
Porcelain
Fine Spode Harrogate Pattern 8 Place Dinner Service
By Spode
Located in Worcester, GB
Fine Spode Harrogate Pattern Dinner Service We are pleased to offer a very fine quality complete Spode porcelain 8 place dinner service in the handsome Harrogate pattern by Spode. ...
Porcelain
Spode, Rare Antique Gilt Porcelain Low Scent Jar, Pattern No. 671, circa 1805
By Spode
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique - SPODE - Georgian period - exceptional and rare - twin handled gilded porcelain large 'Low Scent Jar' - decorated with pattern number 671 - unsigned - illustrated on page 28...
Porcelain
A Drabware Tray with Handle Made by Spode England Circa 1825
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
This rare Spode drabware rectangular tray was made for slices of bread or small breakfast rolls. Made in England by Spode circa 1825, it has a deep, rich color. The carrying handle i...
Pottery
Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Printed Hot Water Dishes
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Neo-classical Greek pattern blue printed hot water dishes, Zeus in his Chariot, A pair, Early 19th century (We have five in all-two pairs and a single) The Spode pottery...
Pearlware, Pottery
Spode & Copeland Pair of Cups and Saucers for Plummer Ltd NY, 1900-1936
By Copeland Spode, Spode
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of cup and saucer sets features multicolor abstract flower decors on lightly textured, semi-transparent fine porcelain blanks. The rims are decorated with thin marigold yellow rims, and the cups' handles are adorned with a single graphic accent in the same yellow color. The cups and saucers were created by Spode & Copeland for Plummer Ltd, New York. W. H. Plummer & Co Ltd. operated in 1st half of 20thcentury as a high-end retailer or department store in New York, NY, specializing in antique and modern English china, crystal, and silverware. It was located on 7&9 East 35th Street, New York, and opened the 2nd retail location on 696 5th Avenue, New York, in 1936. Cups and saucers are marked with green underglaze manufacturer backmark "Spode Copelands China England...
Porcelain, Ceramic
Regency Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish- Spring Meadow Saffron
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish, Bulbocodium vernum, commonly called Spring Meadow Saffron, After William Curtis Circa 1810-20 The botanical is after William Curtis's The B...
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish with a Spiderwort Plant after W. Curtis
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Porcelain Botanical Specimen Dish, Spiderwort, Circa 1810-20 The botanical is after William Curtis's The Botanical Magazine illustrated by James Sowerby. The Spode porcelain ...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Spode Topographical Porcelain Cobalt Blue Border Shrimp Bowls
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very Fine pair of Spode porcelain shrimp bowls. With rich gilding, underglaze cobalt blue borders, and hand painted topographical scenes at their centers. One scene depicts f...
Porcelain
1816 Georgian Period "Spode's New Stone" Circular Tray
By Spode
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1816 Georgian period "Spode's New Stone" circular tray. A beautiful example suited to canapes, hors d'oeuvres, cheeses, etc. Pattern 228 by Spode. Ironstone china. The full decoratio...
Ironstone
$1,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Fine 4 Pc, Spode Porcelain Rust and Gilt Personal Tea Service C. 1820
By Spode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Spode (English, founded 1770), circa 1820. An extremely fine quality and rare personal tea service in rust and gold. The surfaces are decorated in an imari style pallet - laurel leaf...
Porcelain
$695Sale Price|22% Off
Rare and Fine Antique English Spode Ironstone Kakiemon Decor Warming Dish
By Spode
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly rare antique English Spode ironstone Kakiemon decor warming dish. A/F slight clips to leaf near handle. Pattern number as recorded o...
Ironstone
Early Spode Shaped Dish
By Spode
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century signed Spode handled serving dish with a wonderful shaped handle and scalloped edge. The pattern is of a lovely Asian village.
Porcelain
Spode Hand-painted Rose Plate, English, 19th Century
By Spode
Located in Southampton, NY
Spode Porcelain Hand-painted Rose Plate, English, 19th Century Marked underside 2/183 in yellow From a Private Collection in Manhattan. Good overall condi...
Porcelain
Copeland Spode Aesthetic Movement Comport or Cake Stand
By Copeland Spode, Spode
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An 1870s Spode Aesthetic Movement comport in cream-colored earthenware with a beautiful transfer-printed pattern of birds and butterflies. After Japan was forcibly opened to Western...
Earthenware
Pair of English Spode Porcelain Botanical Shell-Shape Dishes, circa 1820
By Spode
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English Spode porcelain botanical shell-shape dishes, circa 1820. Specimens are titled on the reverse.
Porcelain
8 Spode Aesthetic Movement Hand Painted Blue & Ivory Floral Dessert Plates
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 8 Spode Copelands dessert plates are perfect for a dessert course at an intimate dinner and also likely to be used as display or cabinet p...
Porcelain