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.
Early 19th Century Spode Porcelain Coffee Can All Hand Gilt Pattern, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good 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
Georgian Coalport Porcelain Coffee Can Hand Gilded Pattern, English circa 1807
By Coalport Porcelain
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality coffee can that we attribute to the Coalport Porcelain works, Shropshire, England, made during the John Rose period of the George 111rd years, circa 1805-1810. The coffee can is nominally parallel, tapering slightly to the base, with a simple loop handle with one lower kink and pointed attachments. It has a shallow foot recess with obtuse corner and is unmarked to the base. The pattern is beautifully hand painted in an all gold gilt floral upper border pattern with further gilding on the body above the base rim, around the upper rim and to the outer handle. We date this piece to the late George third...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Spode Porcelain Coffee Can Greek Key Pattern 742, circa 1810
By Josiah Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good example of an English George III period, porcelain, coffee can, made by Spode in the early 19th century, circa 1810. The can is nominally straight sided and ha...
Porcelain
Early Minton Porcelain Coffee Can, Hand Painted Ptn 53, England, Circa 1805
By Minton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely painted porcelain coffee can made by the Minton factory, England, in the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1805 Straight sided coffee cans were ...
Porcelain
Georgian Spode Coffee Can Porcelain Floral Leaf Gilded Pattern, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality porcelain coffee can that we attribute to Spode of Staffordshire, England, made during the very early 19th century, George 111rd period, circa 1810. The coffee can is nominally parallel, with a loop handle having one lower kink, characteristic of the Spode handle. It has a fairly deep foot recess with obtuse corners and is unmarked to the base. The pattern is one of Spode's transfer printed floral leaf designs in a burnt orange colour around the upper border, all between gold gilt rings with a further gold gilt ring just above the base and hand gilding to the outer handle. We date this piece to the late George third...
Porcelain
George 111 Early Minton Porcelain Coffee Can Hand Painted Pattern 76, Ca 1805
By Minton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely painted porcelain coffee can made by the Minton factory, England, in the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1805 Straight sided coffee cans were only originally made for about the first 20 years of the 19th century and are very collectable. The porcelain can is well potted with a ring handle. It is finely hand decorated in Minton's recorded Pattern Number 76, having three sets of horizontally painted...
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th c. French Empire Paris Porcelain Coffee Cup or Can by Dihl
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century Paris porcelain coffee cup or can by Dihl circa 1800. Decorated with floral sprig in shades of purple and green. Measures 3 1/2" across over handle x 2 1/2...
Porcelain
Richard Ginori Italian White & Gold Coffee or Tea Cup, circa 1960s, 8 Avail
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
Very beautiful vintage Italian white porcelain with gold gilt coffee or tea cup(s) by designer Richard Ginori, Italy, circa mid-20th century, circa 1960s. Colors include: gold gilt a...
Gold
Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Perfect for a double espresso! These nine "Dollar" pattern porcelain coffee cups are handpainted in the exquisite "Dollar" pattern. Spode made this set in England circa 1820. The dec...
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Doccia Porcelain Coffee Can Cup and Saucer, Circa 1790
By Doccia Porcelain
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 18th century Italian Doccia porcelain coffee cup and saucer, circa 1790. Decorated with birds in a landscape. Cup measures 2 1/2" tall x 3 1/8" across over handle x 2 1/4" di...
Porcelain
Italian Gilt Porcelain Cup
By Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea 1
Located in New York, NY
Italian gilt porcelain cup. Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea hand-painted demitasse cup with rose painted surround above a gilt fish-scale. Band with gilt rim ...
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Doccia Porcelain Coffee Can Cup and Saucer, Circa 1790
By Doccia Porcelain
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 18th century Italian Doccia porcelain coffee cup and saucer, circa 1790. Decorated with birds in a landscape. Cup measures 2 1/2" tall x 3 1/8" across over handle x 2 1/4" di...
Porcelain
