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.
Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates- Set of Ten
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Greek Revival Dining: Set of 10 Spode "Phliasian Horseman" Soup Plates (c. 1806–1820) A fine set of 10 early 19th-century blue and white transfer-printed pottery soup plates by Spo...
Pearlware, Pottery
Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Openwork Dessert Plates
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Classical Elegance: A Set of Four Spode ‘Greek Pattern’ Openwork Dessert Plates Staffordshire, England, Early 19th Century This exquisite set of four dessert plates represents the h...
Pearlware, Pottery
Regency Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Dinner Plates- Thirty One Plates
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Extensive Set of Thirty-One Spode “Greek” Pattern Blue Transfer-Printed Dinner Plates Spode, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, circa 1806–1820 An impressive and extensive serv...
Pearlware, Pottery
Regency Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Tazza
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Tazza Early-19th century The Spode pottery underglaze blue Greek pattern has an oval shaped top with a central des...
Pearlware, Pottery
Copeland & Garrett Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Large Blue Dish
By Copeland & Garrett Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Greek Revival: Copeland & Garrett Centaur Dish Object: Rectangular Transfer-Printed Serving Dish (Platter) Maker: Copeland & Garrett (Successors to Spode) Pattern: Greek Pattern...
Pearlware, Pottery
Regency Herculaneum Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Printed Dish
By Herculaneum Pottery
Located in Downingtown, PA
Regency Revival: Herculaneum Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Printed Dish ________________________________________ This is an impressive English Trans...
Pearlware, Pottery
Antique 18th Century Delft blue and white plates by Johannes van Lockhorst
By De Klaauw
Located in DELFT, NL
Excellent pair of 18th-century Delftware plates from the first half of the 1700s. Decorated with finely painted bouquets of flowers within a floral cartouche, surrounded by diaperwor...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Set of Six Antique 19th Century English Blue and White Porcelain Plates
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of six antique 19th century english blue and white porcelain plates.
Porcelain
Quality pair of antique Victorian blue and white plates
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality pair of antique Victorian blue and white plates having a quality pair of antique Victorian chargers in Chinese style decorated with traditional scenes with willow trees, flow...
Ceramic
Pair of Antique English or Irish Delft Pottery Chinoiserie Blue Decorated Plates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique 18th century English or Irish Delft pottery plates. With Chinoiserie decoration in blue underglaze decoration throughout including ...
Delft
Pair Antique English Porcelain Plates Blue & Gold Spode Very Early 19th Century
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Made circa 1810, this pair of neoclassical Spode porcelain plates is distinguished by its saturated cobalt blue ground, sharply scalloped outlines, and confident use of burnished gil...
Porcelain
Pair Of European 18th Century Blue & White Glazed Chargers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of blue and white chargers with central exotic bird, dragonflies, flowering shrubs surrounded by ferns, leaves and scrolls. The border decorated with repetitive and alternating ...
Earthenware
