Spode Porcelain
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.
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Creator: Spode
Spode Porcelain Tea Service, Imari Tobacco Leaf Pattern 967, Georgian ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning tea service made by Spode in about 1810, consisting of a large teapot with cover, a milk jug, a sucrier with cover, a slop bowl, a saucer dish and 4 teacups with s...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Teacup, Imari Tobacco Leaf Pattern 967, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode in about 1810. The set is decorated with the famous Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967, which was first introduced by Spode in 1806.
...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Shell Dish, Orange and Gilt Neoclassical Design, ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous dessert serving dish, or "shell dish", made by Spode in about 1810, which was the Regency era. The dish has a beautiful Neoclassical pattern of gilt details on an ...
Category
1810s English Neoclassical Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Teacup Trio, Lavender Blue with Flower Sprays, Regency ca 1815
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful "true trio" consisting of a teacup, a coffee cup and a saucer, made by Spode in about 1815. It is decorated with pattern 2234 with a striking lavender or periwinkle blue border and finely painted flower sprays.
In the late 18th and early 19th Century a "true trio" is how cups and saucers were sold; as you would never drink tea and coffee at the same time, why invest in an extra saucer?
Josiah Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by everyone ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the import of Chinese china that had come to an end around that time, with their own. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware.
This set is made in the famous "London" shape, which was brought out by Spode in 1812 and was quickly copied by all other makers. It then remained the most popular shape for about 10 years. The set is potted in fine white porcelain - by the year 1810 Spode had perfected his recipe for bone china and it became beautifully smooth, white, thin and translucent.
All three items are marked with the red hand painted SPODE mark and the pattern number 2234.
CONDITION REPORT The set is in excellent antique condition without any damage, repairs or crazing. There is some minimal wear as visible in the pictures...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Teacup and Saucer, Red, Gilt with White Chrysanthemum, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode around 1810. The set is shaped in the "bute" shape and decorated with a bright Neoclassical pattern of a warm red ground with gilt...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
A Spode porcelain Coffee Cup and Saucer very finely decorated c.1830
By Spode
Located in Exeter, GB
A fine Spode porcelain coffee cup and saucer c.1830. Although the cup has twelve sides, it is still called 'Octagon' shape, which was introduced by Spode 1829.
Very finely decorated...
Category
19th Century European Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Coffee Can, Neoclassical Cobalt Blue and Gilt, Georgian ca 1806
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful coffee can and saucer made by Spode around 1806. The set is decorated in a stunning pattern of dense gilt foliage and a cobalt blue band in the Neoclassical taste...
Category
Early 1800s English Neoclassical Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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 ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Edward Challinor Pearlware Plate, Blue and White "Death of a Bear", circa 1850
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dinner plate made in about 1850 by Edward Challinor. The plate is made of pearlware and decorated with a blue and white transfer print that is a close copy of Spode' famous "Indian...
Category
1850s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Pearlware
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Georgian Spode Coffee Can Porcelain Pattern 1928, 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...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Felspar Porcelain Plate, Landscape Painting, Regency ca 1822
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a dessert plate made by Spode in about 1822, which was the Regency era. The plate is made of Felspar porcelain and decorated with a beautiful hand painted landscape scene. The plate would have belonged to a large dessert service of which each piece had a unique landscape; in fact I sold a dessert service in this pattern a while ago.
Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by British potters ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Sucrier Hand Painted and Gilded Pattern 967, circa 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...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Felspar Square Dessert Plate, Gilt and Flowers, Regency 1824
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is beautiful square dessert plate made by Spode around the year 1824. The set was made in the famous Spode Felspar china, which was a bright porcelain that included felspar rock, making it exceptionally robust and very suitable for large table services. This plate was a spare of a large dessert service that was sold previously.
An identical service is on display in the Spode Museum in Stoke on Trent, on the original place where this service was produced. In a wonderful moment of serendipity, I happened to be standing and admiring that service exactly the moment the service this plate belonged to came up for auction - and I won the bid, enabling me to present it here to you!
Josiah Spode was the great pioneer among the 19th Century potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by everyone ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind perfecting the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china, which had come to an end around that time, with their own. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware. In the early 19th Century Spode also made this "Felspar" porcelain, which was even stronger thanks to a large percentage of the strong felspar rock in the recipe.
In the early 19th Century, dinner and dessert services were an important part of the social life of the elite, and particularly the dessert service had to be stunning in order to leave guests with a lasting impression of the wealth and power of the owner. This plate is part of such a show piece.
The plate has the printed Spode Felspar Porcelain mark in puce, as well as a hand painted pattern number 3765.
CONDITION REPORT The plate is in good undamaged antique condition, with its only flaw being some wear as visible in the pictures.
Antique British porcelain...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Porcelain Teacup Trio, Red Imari Dollar Pattern, Regency, ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful orphaned teacup made by Spode in about 1810. It bears a beautiful Japanese-inspired Imari pattern.
Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by British potters ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china, which had come to an end around that time, with their own designs. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware. Spode porcelain is regarded as one of the highest quality porcelains around; for a soft-paste porcelain it is surprisingly hard and fine, and has a wonderful bright white colour.
The pattern on this can is called "Dollar" pattern, a very famous pattern that was used by English potters in the 18th and early 19th Century. It is obvious why it is called “dollar” - but its origin is less obvious! It is thought that this pattern was derived from a very old Chinese pattern depicting a tree with elaborate foliage that hides a Chinese character representing longevity or happiness. Traditionally, this went with a an image called “Taotie”, which was used on very ancient bronze vases...
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Milk Jug Creamer, Cobalt Blue Neoclassical Pattern Imari, Regency Ca 1825
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful milk jug or creamer made by Spode around 1825. The jug is decorated in a beautiful Neoclassical pattern in Imari colours and has a characteristic serpent handle. ...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Three Georgian Imari Pattern 967 Decorated Porcelain Plates
By Spode
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine set of three Georgian Imari pattern decorated porcelain cabinet plates by Spode and dating from around 1810. The small side plates are of...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Ironstone
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Antique Printed and Over-Painted Cabinet Plate Dated 1914
By Spode
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good quality antique English Spode porcelain cabinet plate decorated with a chinoiserie landscape of two exotic birds perched on a flowering prunus tree dated 1914. The small sized...
Category
1910s English Chinoiserie Vintage Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
A very fine Spode porcelain punch bowl in pattern 944 c.1805-1810
By Spode
Located in Exeter, GB
A very fine Spode porcelain punch bowl c.1805-1810. Finely decorated and gilded in a rich pattern number 944.
Condition: Excellent
Category
19th Century British Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Orphaned Porcelain Saucer, Chinoiserie Gilt Potted Flowers, Regency ca1820
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful deep orphaned saucer made by Spode around 1820. The saucer is decorated with a gorgeous Chinoiserie pattern of a group of potted flowers in gilt and grey. The sau...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
1850s English Regency Revival Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode Creamware Dessert Service, Avocado Green, Chinoiserie, Regency, 1814
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Spode creamware dessert service made in 1814, which was the Regency era. The service is decorated in a printed and hand-colored Chi...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Creamware
Spode Imperial China Dessert Service, Frog Pattern in Mauve, Regency circa 1828
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a very striking part dessert service made by Spode in about 1828, which is the Regency era. It is made of Spode's Imperial China and has the Frog pattern in mauve/purple. It consists of a high footed comport...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Ironstone
Spode Felspar Floral Dessert Service, Yellow, Butterfly Handles, circa 1822
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning and very rare dessert service made by Spode in 1822, which was the Regency era. This beautiful service, which is in perfect condition, would be fantastic for a summer dinner party!
The service is made of Felspar porcelain and decorated in a beautiful pale yellow colour with an "Oeil de Perdrix" pattern and top quality floral reserves. The service consists of two lidded sauce tureens with stands, two deep rectangular dishes, two lozenge shaped dishes, one square dish, and six square dessert plates
Spode was the great Pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by British potters ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Ironstone
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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...
Category
1840s English Japonisme Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Ironstone
12 Aesthetic Movement Spode Copeland Hand-Painted Dessert Plates Cobalt Blue
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 lovely aesthetic movement Spode Copeland's dessert plates feature an eye-catching geometric design decorated with cobalt blue, raised gold and best of all, hand-painte...
Category
1890s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
Early 1900s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
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.
Category
1820s English Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
1820s British Neoclassical Antique Spode Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Spode porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.
Spode porcelain are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Spode porcelain, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original porcelain by Spode were created in the Regency style in europe during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider porcelain by Samuel Alcock & Co., Coalport Porcelain, and Chamberlains Worcester. Prices for Spode porcelain can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $147 and can go as high as $17,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $682.
Creators Similar to Spode
Questions About Spode Porcelain
- What is Spode Copeland?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Spode Copeland is a brand of fine antique porcelain from Britain. The Spode company started in 1776, and was bought by the Copeland family early in the 1830s. Browse a collection of Spode Copeland porcelain pieces from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How old is Spode?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Spode pottery dates back to the 1770s and the originator of the company, Josiah Spode. Josiah Spode was born in 1733 and learned the trade by working for other local potters until 1775 when he established his own company. Find a collection of expertly vetted Spode pottery from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Spode china still being made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Spode pottery and homewares are still being made. Spode is an English brand founded by Josiah Spode and is credited for perfecting the techniques that were crucial to the future success of English pottery. Spode pottery can be purchased through authorized retailers, such as 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Most Spode is bone china. During its early decades, Spode was the first to develop a standard formula for the making of bone china, and most of its pieces made after this innovation are examples of bone china. However, particularly early on, Spode did make other types of pottery, such as earthenware. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Spode china.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Whether Spode Christmas dishes can go in the microwave varies. Many of the British maker's dinnerware is dishwasher-safe as well as microwave- and freezer-safe, but not all its pieces are. As a result, you should look at the markings on the bottom of your dishes and consult the care instructions that accompany them for advice on how to safely use them. Find a large selection of Spode porcelain and ceramic wares on 1stDibs.