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 New Stone China Dinner Service Eighty Four Pieces, Pattern #3504
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode New Stone China Dinner Service- Eighty Four Pieces, Pattern #3504, Circa 1820 The service is decorated in an Imari pattern in iron red light and...
Ironstone, Ceramic
Spode Flower Cross Clobberware Plate
By Spode
Located in Stamford, CT
Spode Flower Cross Clobberware plate. Blue and white flower cross pattern with hand painted orange squiggle detailing. No makers mark or brand stamp.
Porcelain
$1,200 / set
Spode Flower Cross Clobberware Dishes, Set of 3
By Spode
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of three Spode Flower Cross Clobberware Dishes. Set includes two matching plates and one shallow bowl. Clobbered bowl measures: 10" diameter x 3" ta...
Porcelain
Antique Spode Porcelain Hand Painted Ornithological Duck Cup & Saucer
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English Georgian hand painted porcelain cup & saucer. By Spode. Pattern no. 1803. Both cup and saucer with wide cobalt blue bands on a white ground, hand painted scenes with ducks in round cartouches, and gilt embellishments throughout. The cup with a 'Diver' duck in a stream and the saucer with a 'Red Headed Merganser' on a bank. The reverses marked for Spode, 1803, 'Diver', and 'Red Headed Merganser'. Simply a wonderful antique Spode cup...
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Chestnut Baskets and Under-Plates by Spode in Pattern 3037
By Spode
Located in Brisbane, QLD
This remarkable pair of Spode pierced chestnut baskets with their under-plates date to the Regency period and were crafted in Stoke-on-Trent. The under-plates have a pierced rim and ...
Porcelain
Pair of Spode 19th C Pierced Green Chestnut Baskets & Under Plates
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This pair of rare 19th c Spode Chestnut bowls are in amazing original condition and feature a green enamel leaf motif with pierced border. Each has two handles and basketweave on bot...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Painted Spode Sauce Tureens
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a special pair of 19th C, Spode sauce tureens with matching attached underplates and handles. The raised molded relief depicting pheasants a...
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Spode English Porcelain Pink Ducks Pattern Desert Plate
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain desert plate. By Spode. In the "Pink Ducks" pattern. Depicting a chinoiserie scene of two mandarin d...
Porcelain
19th Century Late Georgian Blue Spode Hot Chocolate Cup with Cover and Saucer
By Spode
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century late Georgian blue spode hot chocolate cup with cover and saucer, decorated with gilt highlights, and embossed white floral motif on a ...
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century Spode Blue and White "Pagoda" Stone China Bowls, 1825
By Spode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Early 19th Century Spode Blue and White "Pagoda" Stone China Bowls, England, Circa 1825 A finely preserved pair of early 19th-century English transferware bowls by Spode, de...
Porcelain
$356Sale Price|59% Off
SPODE Porcelain Lidded Sucrier Hand Painted and Gilded Pattern 967, Ca 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of an English George III period, porcelain, Sucrier with cover or lidded sugar bowl, made by SPODE all hand painted in Pattern 967, during the early 19th Century, circa 1810. This Sucrier has a beautiful and elegant shape with high loop handles either side of the oval body. The cover has a shaped oval knob...
Porcelain
An exquisite and rare early 19th century Spode cabinet cup and saucer circa 1830
By Spode
Located in Central England, GB
An exquisite and rare early 19th century Spode cabinet cup and saucer. This beautiful and richly decorated Spode cabinet cup and saucer were made at this high quality English porcela...
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century Spode Porcelain Pattern Number 2408 Tea Cup & Saucer
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Spode porcelain cup & saucer. Pattern no. 2408 Decorated throughout with a cobalt floral patttern and extensive gilding. Simply a great cup & saucer from Spod...
Porcelain
Set of 11 Early Spode Ironstone Imari Dessert Dishes Made circa 1815
By Spode
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A set of 11 Imari style ironstone dessert dishes, made by Spode circa 1815. Josiah Spode II began producing stone china in 1813 as an alternative to porcelain. Stone china, also kno...
Ironstone
Spode Flower Cross Pearlware Plates, Set of 5
By Spode
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of five Spode Flower Cross pearlware plates. Set includes five matching plates.
Porcelain
$253Sale Price|31% Off
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
$178Sale 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
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
Spode & Copeland Pair of Cups and Saucers for Plummer Ltd NY, 1900-1936
By Spode, Copeland 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
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
$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
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
Set of 12 Spode Newstone Aesthetic Movement Japanese Garden Soup Bowls Ca. 1840
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an amazing set of 12 rimmed soup bowls marked "Spode's New-Stone" dating to 1840 but in like new condition. The "Japonesque" transfer decoration is embellished with hand pain...
Ironstone
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
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
Spode Indian Tree Cup and Saucer
Located in Asheville, NC
This is an absolutely fabulous antique Copeland Spode Indian tree cup and saucer. It is a spectacular example of Spode porcelain with rust and orange...
Porcelain
$595
H 1 in W 8.38 in D 8.38 in
Antique 19th Century Spode English Porcelain Pink Ducks Pattern Desert Plate
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain desert plate. By Spode. In the "Pink Ducks" pattern. Depicting a chinoiserie scene of two mandarin d...
Porcelain
$243Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.94 in Dm 3.94 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Coffee Cups and Saucer Gold Hand Painted Porcelain
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Hand painted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Michelangelo coffee cup and saucer is material and earthy, like the great Renaissance Master's work. It conveys classical beauty...
Porcelain
$3,800 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in
12 Coalport Grey and Polychrome Enamel Floral Shaped Rim Dinner Service Plates
By Coalport Porcelain
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 Coalport dinner plates feature an unusual color combination of a soft gray border decorated with a vibrant palette of brightly pai...
Porcelain
Set of 12 English Raised Gilt Porcelain Dinner Service Plates
By Royal Worcester
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A regal set of 12 elaborately gild service plates, by Royal Worcester. The set with delicate broad gilt borders with a white porcelain background. The mark on the back from 1950.
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Hand Painted Cup and Saucer
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Diminutive whimsical 19th century Meissen cup and saucer. The purple trim with gilt decoration with birds and insects. The saucer is 5 inches in...
Porcelain
Large Late 19th Century English Blue Willow Deep Platter
By Allertons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous deep and large blue willow platter from England. Late 19th century in excellent condition with no damage, chips or cracks. Excellent color retention. The best serving platte...
Porcelain, Ironstone
$3,500 / set
H 19.69 in Dm 19.69 in
19th Century Porcelain Dinner Service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie
By Charles Pillivuyt & Cie
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous dinner service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie, a manufacturer of high-quality porcelain founded in 1818. Each piece is hand-painted with a delicate rose- pink bo...
Porcelain
$68,500 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.75 in
Minton Mazarine Extensive Pristine Dinner Service Cobalt Blue & Gold 232 Pcs
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It's always time to entertain! This is one of the most elegant and versatile patterns imaginable in a Classic and rare Minton cobalt blue pattern wi...
Porcelain
$362 / set
H 2.76 in Dm 6.3 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Tea Cups & Saucer Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Hand painted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this tea cup and saucer, from the Scipione collection, is decorated on the outside with African red enamel intertwined with small gol...
Porcelain
$244Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.17 in Dm 4.53 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Coffee Cups and Saucer Gold Hand Painted Porcelain
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Hand painted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this tea cup and saucer, from the Scipione Collection, is decorated on the outside with African red enamel intertwined with small gol...
Porcelain
$94,512Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.47 in Dm 17.72 in
Rare Antique 102 piece Meissen „Flower Bouqet” Dinner Service, Germany 1840
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Rome, IT
Extensive 102 Piece Rare Meissen Dinner Service "Flower Bouqett", 1815 – 1860 , colorful, richly decorated gold rim, consisting of: 45 dinner p...
Porcelain
Set of Three Spode Cup & Saucer Sets – Shima, Élysée, and Fleur de Lys Blue
By Spode
Located in Morristown, NJ
Set of Three Spode Cup and Saucer Sets – Y8172-G "Shima," Y8380-G "Élysée," and Y8356-G "Fleur de Lys Blue" This exquisite set of three Spode fin...
Gold
Sold
H 2.55 in W 3.3 in D 2.5 in
Georgian Spode Coffee Can Porcelain hand decorated & marked SPODE, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality porcelain coffee can by Spode of Staffordshire, England, made during the very early 19th century, George 111rd period, circa 1805. The coffee can is no...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.57 in W 3.25 in D 2.5 in
Spode Porcelain Coffee Can Hand Painted & Gilded Pattern 967, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very fine example of an English George III period, porcelain, coffee can, made by Spode and hand painted in Pattern 967, during the early 19th Century, circa 1815. The can is nominally straight sided and has the Spode loop handle with a pronounced kick or kink to the lower part, with a lower attachment that curves out from the cup. Spode is the only factory with a handle of this exact shape. The can has a fine and beautifully hand-painted Imari pattern with superb rich enameling and hand gilding in Gold. Heavily gilded porcelain of this period were called "Candlelight Wares" because of the brilliance of their gilding. Even the outer handle is covered in gold. This pattern 967, is recognised as being their most sought after Candlelight pattern of the time and is fully documented on pages 50-52 in Steven Smith's book: Spode & Copeland, published by Schiffer. The can has the pattern number, "967" hand painted to the inner foot rim in iron red. We have other pieces in this superb pattern as per the last image, all by Spode. Overall, a very beautiful early Spode Coffee Can...
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Saucer Dish Hand Painted and Gilded Pattern 967, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very fine example of an English George III period, porcelain, Saucer Dish or Slop Bowl, made by Spode and hand painted in Pattern 967, during the Early 19th Century, circa ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 8.38 in W 7 in D 5.13 in
Antique Spode Imari Porcelain Twin Handled Vase Pattern No. 1409, 1820s
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English Imari porcelain vase. By Spode. Pattern no. 1409. With cobalt blue, iron red, and gilt decoration throughout, prominent in the decoration are treffoil reserves with birds on a limb which is a hallmark of this pattern. Simply a wonderful early English Imari vase...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.5 in W 3.38 in D 2.63 in
Spode Porcelain Coffee Can Hand Painted & Gilded Pattern 967, circa 1815
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of an English George III period, porcelain, coffee can, made by Spode and hand painted in Pattern 967, during the early 19th Century, circa 1815. The can is nominally straight sided and has the Spode loop handle with a pronounced kick or kink to the lower part, with a lower attachment that curves out from the cup. Spode is the only factory with a handle of this exact shape. The can has a fine and beautifully hand-painted Imari pattern with superb rich enameling and hand gilding in Gold. Heavily gilded porcelain of this period were called "Candlelight Wares" because of the brilliance of their gilding. Even the outer handle is covered in gold. This pattern 967, is recognised as being their most sought after Candlelight pattern of the time and is fully documented on pages 50-52 in Steven Smith's book: Spode & Copeland, published by Schiffer. This can is unmarked to the base, other than the painters tally mark in iron red, but this is definitely a Spode Cup.
Porcelain
14 Piece Spode Butterfly Pattern Dessert Service, 1954
By Spode
Located in Worcester, GB
14 piece Spode butterfly pattern dessert service 1954 Manufacturer Spode Pattern Y7378 - Grasses & butterfly with fluted border and gilded rim Date 1954 14 pieces in to...
Porcelain
Set of Eight Dollar Pattern Coffee Cans Made in England, circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Perfect for a double espresso! The colors are fabulous on this set of eight coffee cans decorated in the exquisite "Dollar" pattern. Spode made this set in England circa 1820. The d...
Porcelain
Sold
H 23 in W 22.5 in D 17.75 in
Spode Porcelain 967 Pattern Very Large Serving Dish with a Tray Table
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode porcelain 967 pattern very large serving dish, NWith a tray table, Circa 1810 The very large Spode porcelain serving dish of rectangular shape with canted corners painted with the Spode 967...
Porcelain
Sold
H 4.25 in W 3.13 in D 2.38 in
Georgian Small Spode Vases Hand Painted Candlelight Pattern 967 circa 1815, Pair
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a good example of English George III period, Spode porcelain small cabinet vases, beautifully hand painted and gilded in pattern 967 and dating from the early 19th century,...
Porcelain
Early Spode Porcelain Tea Cup Heavily Gilded Pattern 963 Hand Painted
By Spode
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of an English George III period, SPODE porcelain, Tea Cup, hand painted in pattern 963 and dating from the early 19th century, circa 1810. This tea cup has ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.5 in Dm 8.35 in L 0.5 in
12 Antique Pink Porcelain Hand-Painted Plates Made in England, circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
WHY WE LOVE IT: The bright pink! We are pleased to offer this set of twelve antique porcelain plates in the Spode "Mandarin Ducks" pattern. Made in England circa 1820, the plates sho...
Porcelain