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.
Davenport Porcelain Lidded Bowl in Chinoiserie Pattern 2829, English 1860
By Davenport Porcelain
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good porcelain covered bowl, complete with lid, having a very decorative chinoiserie pattern, number 2829 made by Davenport & Co. of Longport, Staffordshire, England, ...
Porcelain
Georgian Masons Ironstone Sauce Tureen & Lid Gilded Water Lily Pattern, Ca 1820
By Mason's Ironstone
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a superb Ironstone Sauce Tureen, complete with lid , made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1820. This tureen is well potted and is hexagonal in shape with moulded animal head handles to the base and a flower head knob to the lid. The pattern is called "Water Lily" and is a well known Mason's pattern, as illustrated on pages 136 in The Mason's collectors Club book " A Guide to Mason's patent Ironstone patterns, c 1813 to c 1848" . This particular piece is the gilded version of the pattern and has heavily applied hand gilded highlights. Tureens of the same shape and period are illustrated on Pages 145 and 155 of Godden's Guide to Mason's China and the Ironstone Wares published by the Antique Collectors' Club. The pattern is beautifully hand painted over a printed pattern with bold enamels of Cobalt Blue, burnt orange, green, puce all in various shades with much additional hand gilding. The pieces are unmarked as was often the case if the item had formed part of a large dinner or desert service...
Ironstone
Spode Porcelain Coffee Can, Gilded Oriental Design, Circa 1810
By Josiah Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very pretty Spode porcelain Coffee Can, elaborately hand decorated with an oriental theme, smothered with gilding and with touches of mazarine blue and iron red, all in ke...
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Tea Cup in Hand Painted & Gilded Pattern 967, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of an English George III period, porcelain Tea Cup, made by Spode and hand painted in Pattern 967, during the early 19th century, circa 1815. The cup has th...
Porcelain
Georgian Spode Stone China Coffee Can (A)Tobacco Leaf Pattern 2061, circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good stone China (Ironstone) coffee can hand painted in the tobacco leaf pattern, number 2061, made by the Spode factory in the early 19th century, English Georgian period, circa 1820. This coffee can or cup made from Ironstone China is beautifully decorated with hand painted enamels in the very distinctive tobacco leaf pattern, pattern number 2061. The decoration also has very good hand gilded detailing. The upper rim has a dark ochre brown hand painted finish in the manner of 18th C...
Ironstone
Copeland & Garrett (Spode) Stone China Sauce Tureen in pattern 5519, circa 1840
By Copeland & Garrett Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good sauce tureen made of ironstone (Spode's Stone China) in Pattern No 5519, produced by the English, Copeland & Garrett - Spode factory in the 19th century, Circa 18...
Ironstone
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
Antique 19th Century Hand Painted and Gilt Porcelain Covered Center Bowl, Tureen
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful hand painted and hand gilt round and broad urn with lid. the floral decoration with gilt handles, original lid with delicate vine decoration all over. There are ladybugs, b...
Porcelain
Spode Double Handled Sugar Bowl and Cover
Located in Long Island City, NY
Spode double handled sugar bowl and cover. Oval-shaped porcelain body, gilt with diamond and vine motifs, the base impressed with an “S” and numbered “6...
Porcelain
Hand painted Spode China vase, English circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
This most attractive vase stands on a flared foot with a tall bulbous body narrowing at the neck to an elegant flared rim. The vase is balanced with two nicely shaped gilt handles. This stunning, rich, hand-painted and gilt Spode porcelain vase is made in an earlier Regency style but dates to circa 1890. The vase has a dark, rich Royal blue ground with fine gilding in the form of leaves, edges and borders. It is boldly painted with beautifully detailed and richly coloured large stylised flowers with pale green foliage. This fine quality, beautifully hand-painted vase is in excellent original condition with almost no signs of wear to the gilding. It is fully marked on the underside with Spode, Copelands China...
Ceramic
English Porcelain Pot, Royal Worcester, Dated 1888
Located in New York, NY
Royal Worcester ivory porcelain.
Porcelain
English Spode Porcelain Jewelry Dish Chinoiserie Design
By Spode
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful English Spode porcelain 'jewelry' dish, Chinoiserie design style, circa early to mid-20th century, England. Piece has a beautiful design including its elevated footed form 'tazza'-like design. A great piece to hold jewelry (as demonstrated) or other small items on a desk, nightstand...
Porcelain
