Steeped in British history and tradition, the name Copeland Spode is renowned among porcelain collectors for its fine-quality bone china and earthenware pieces. With its roots in Spode — one of the oldest and most distinguished of the great pottery companies of Staffordshire, the time-honored home of English ceramics — Copeland Spode is known to pottery enthusiasts for some of the most timeless and recognizable patterns produced in 19th and early 20th-century porcelain manufacturing such as Wicker Lane, Chinese Rose and Tower. Collectors regard Copeland-marked pieces as Spode china.
The story of Copeland Spode china began in 1770 when English potter Josiah Spode founded a pottery and homewares company called Spode in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Within fifteen years, the manufacturer became known for its signature blue-on-white palette, and one of the company’s designers developed a specific cobalt hue for their teapots, trays, bowls and more. Spode’s founder was particularly revered 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 was to perfect the making of transferware.
In 1833, entrepreneurs William Taylor Copeland (the Lord Mayor of London at the time) and Thomas Garrett purchased Spode’s pottery-making company following the death of Josiah Spode III, and the name was changed to Copeland Spode. Then, in 1847, Copeland became the firm’s sole owner and the name changed again, this time to W. T. Copeland and Sons, in 1867 when Copeland retired and his four sons took over the business.
Trading as W. T. Copeland and Sons throughout the mid-to-late 19th century, the company found a formidable competitor in another well-known porcelain maker, Minton. Many of the manufacturer’s Georgian, Rococo and late-Victorian pieces such as its dinner plates, tableware, platters, bowls and baskets were commissioned by wealthy British and European clients and exported for sale throughout the British Empire and to the United States. Several of W. T. Copeland and Sons’ spectacular pieces were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 and the International Exhibitions of London and Paris in 1862 and 1878, respectively.
In addition to their exceptional quality and design, the company’s ceramics were particularly prized for their intricate patterns which featured a variety of colors. For instance, its popular Tower pattern was available in a pale ultramarine blue, a darker Royal Saxon blue, rose pink, brown and green.
The company continued as W. T. Copeland and Sons until 1970 when Spode again became the brand's name. Afterward, during the late 1970s, Spode, Royal Worcester and Palissy came under common ownership. In 2009, the firm was purchased by the Portmeirion Group. However, the Spode and Royal Worcester names continue to flourish as highly popular “traditional English heritage” brands within the Portmeirion company.
Find antique Copeland Spode serveware, decorative objects and more collectibles on 1stDibs.
19th C. Spode 44 Pc. Porcelain Tea Set
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This Classic 19th century Spode Dessert and tea and coffee service encompasses the beauty of the period as well as the elegant floral decoration. The com...
Porcelain
Minton for Tiffany Complete Dinner Service for 12 Caramel, White & Raised Gold
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
As we approach the holiday season, this complete Minton for Tiffany dinner service for 12 will work with many decorating themes to dress up any even...
Porcelain
Royal Worcester Multi-Color Hand-Painted Enamel Breakfast Service for Two
By Royal Worcester
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It doesn't get more complete than this full breakfast service for two. Each piece is uniquely painted in a bright and cheerful palette of flowers and...
Paste, Porcelain
English 19thc. "Imari" Decorated Hand Painted Tea Dessert Service for 8-26 Pcs
By Hammersley
Located in Great Barrington, MA
An amazing hand painted example of the influence of the Japonesque influence on English wares ca. 1890's. This is a complete set of 8 footed cups and saucers and 8 matching dessert p...
Porcelain
Set of French Pink Floral Dessert Set with 12 Plates and Two Footed Compotes
By Old Paris
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This gorgeous 19th century French dessert set features botanical central decoration, each uniquely hand-painted with a different bouquet of mixed flowers. The composition is detailed...
Porcelain
19th C Handpainted Botanical Rihouet Paris Porcelain Pink Dessert Service 17 Pcs
By Rihouet Rue de la Paix No.7
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an extensive and exquisite 19th century dessert service made by Rihouet, Paris, circa 1820s. Each piece is superbly hand painted w...
Porcelain
Rare and Fine Copeland Spode Dinnerware Service For 12
By Copeland Spode
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Copeland Spode dinnerware with ivory color china, rose band flanked by gilt gadroon trim, gold filigree embellishments. Included in this service: (12)...
Porcelain
Vintage Royal Albert 12 Place Tea & Coffee Service Set Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful vintage 50 piece tea, coffee service by Royal Albert China, the design is called Old Country Roses, Circa 1960 in date. It is beautifully made of fine bone china porcelain with hand enamelled floral decoration. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. The set comprises : 1 x Large Coffeepot with lid 1 x Large Teapot with lid 1 x Large Milk Jug 1x Small Milk Jug 1 x Open Sugar bowl 1x Lidded Sugar Bowl 12 x Tea / Coffee Cups & Saucers 12 x Cake Plates 2 x Large Cake Platter 1 x Canapé Platter 2x Large Strawberry Bowls Condition: It is offered in truly excellent condition and appears to have rarely if ever been used. Dimensions in cm: height 3 x width 27 x depth 25 - cake platter Dimensions in inches: height 1 inch x width 11 inches x depth 10 inches - cake platter Launched in 1962 Old Country Roses was designed by Harold Holdcroft and introduced in 1962. Its flamboyant design was inspired by the riot of colour and assortment of flowers in a typical English cottage garden, and especially by fragrant roses in full bloom. Harold used both rich and soft colours combining lush deep red roses with warmth from a peach tea rose and delicacy from the blush pink, and accentuated the composition with rich green foliage. Brilliant gold stippling and 22-carat gilded rims complete the design creating one of the most exuberant expressions of Royal Albert's acclaimed century-long, floral tradition. Overwhelmingly popular throughout the world, Old Country Roses is regarded as the epitome of fine English teaware. Company History Wild (Thomas C. Wild (& Co.)) (1896–1917) Thomas Clarke Wild joined his father, Thomas Wild, in the purchase of the Albert Works, Longton in 1895, and the partnership manufactured bone china teaware as Thomas C. Wild & Co. Wild became sole proprietor on the death of his father in 1898 and from 1905 to 1917 the business traded simply as ‘Thomas C. Wild’. The St Mary’s Works, Longton, was purchased from Bernard Moore in 1905 and used initially for decoration of the products manufactured at the nearby Albert Works. As Wild’s business prospered he acquired other factories and pottery businesses, the Park Place Works was acquired in about 1910, followed by the Royal Albert China Works in 1917, the Shore & Coggins Ltd business (and Edensor Works) in 1918 and that of William Lowe...
Porcelain
32 Piece Dessert Set Spode England, Circa 1920. 12 plates 10 Demi Cups & Saucers
By Spode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
From one of our favorite English firms, Copeland Spode, is this striking set. The rich almost cobalt blue background is textured and inset with vibrant florals. Each one is different...
Gold, Enamel
61-piece Spode Chinese Rose Pattern Dinner Service
By Copeland Spode
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A complete table set steeped in history, this Spode Chinese Rose dinner service is a rare and valuable find for collectors and hosts alike. Produced by Copeland Spode, one of England...
Ceramic, Ironstone
Antique Copeland 60 Piece Spode Dinner Service 19th Century
By Copeland Spode
Located in London, GB
A Spode Copelands China porcelain 60-piece part dinner service for Thomas Goode & Co, the globally renowned purveyor of luxury china, circa 1880 in date. The set is beautifully prin...
Porcelain
Fürstenberg Tea Service, Hand-Painted Floral Porcelain, West Germany, 18-Piece
By Furstenberg Porcelain
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
An elegant 18-piece tea service by Fürstenberg, Germany, produced in the West Germany period and decorated with delicate hand-painted blue floral bouquets on fine white porcelain. Th...
Porcelain
