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Spode Tea Sets

British

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
Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Perfect for a double espresso! These nine "Dollar" pattern porcelain coffee cups are handpainted in the exquisite "Dollar" pattern. Spode made this set in England circa 1820. The dec...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

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...
Category

Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Spode Tea Sets

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 lavish 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 Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Worcester English Garden Dinner Service
By Spode
Located in Worcester, GB
Royal Worcester English garden dinner service Late 20th century, English, c.1983 Royal Worcester, English Garden pattern, all pieces stamped by the factory to the underside ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

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Vintage Paragon Double Warrant Bone China Teacup & Saucer with Red Cabbage Rose
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Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
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Vienna 19th Century Porcelain Cup and Saucer
By Royal Vienna Porcelain
Located in Newark, England
Decorated with a Female Portrait From our Ceramics collection, we are pleased to offer this Vienna Cup and Saucer. The Vienna Cup and Saucer with a brown iridescent glaze decorated ...
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Late 19th Century Austrian High Victorian Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Vintage 6 Person Tea Service, English, Ceramic, Decorative, Teapot, Serving Jug
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 6 person tea service. An English, ceramic decorative afternoon tea set with teapot and jugs, dating to the early 20th century, circ...
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Ceramic

Spode Three Georgian Imari Pattern 967 Decorated Porcelain Plates
By Spode
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
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Previously Available Items
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 Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

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...
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1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

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. ...
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1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

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Porcelain

Spode Porcelain Coffee Can, Neoclassical Gilt Foliage, Georgian ca 1804
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful coffee can and saucer made by Spode around 1804. The set is decorated in a stunning pattern of dense gilt foliage in the Neoclassical taste. Josiah Spode was the...
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Early 1800s English George III Antique Spode Tea Sets

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Spode Porcelain Teacup Trio, Imari Tobacco Leaf Patt. 967, Regency, circa 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful true trio made by Spode around 1810. The set is decorated in the famous Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967. In the early 19th Century, cups and saucers were sold as "...
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1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

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Porcelain

Spode Porcelain Teacup, Neoclassical Garlands Red, Black, Gilt, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode around 1810. The set is decorated with a neoclassical pattern of red and black garlands. Josiah Spode was the great pioneer amon...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Spode Porcelain Teacup Trio, Puce and Gilt Floral Pattern, Neoclassical ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful true trio made by Spode around 1810. The set is decorated with pattern 889, which consists of a beautiful puce and gilt floral band. In the early 19th Century, cu...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Spode Harrogate Bone China Dinner Service
By Spode
Located in Worcester, GB
Fine Spode Harrogate Bone China Dinner Service Late 20th century, English, c.1980 Spode, Harrogate pattern, all pieces stamped by the factor...
Category

Late 20th Century British Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Spode Octagon Teapot on Stand, Felspar with Pink Chinoiserie, Regency 1821-1825
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful octagonal teapot on a stand made by Spode between 1821 and 1825. The set is clearly made of felspar porcelain, a strong stoneware, although it is not marked as su...
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1820s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Spode Orphaned Coffee Can, Imari Tobacco Leaf Patt. 967, Regency ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful orphaned coffee can made by Spode around 1810. The cup is decorated in the famous Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967. Josiah Spode was the great pioneer among the Ge...
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Early 1800s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

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Porcelain

Spode Porcelain Teacup, Imari Pattern Originally New Hall, Regency, ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and very rare teacup and saucer made by Spode in about 1810. It bears a Japanese-inspired Imari pattern that was originally brought out by New Hall (I have an earlier New Hall tea...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Spode Teacup and Saucer, Lavender Blue and Flower Sprays, Regency ca 1815
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful teacup and saucer made by Spode made in about 1815. It is decorated with pattern 2234 with a striking lavender blue border and many very finely painted flower spr...
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1810s English Regency Antique Spode Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Spode tea sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Spode tea sets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of porcelain and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Spode tea sets, although white editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tea sets by Spode were created in the Regency style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tea sets by Coalport Porcelain, and Derby. Prices for Spode tea sets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $250 and can go as high as $5,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $513.
Questions About Spode Tea Sets
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Spode 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Spode 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To tell if a Spode is vintage, do some research using trusted online resources. Start by comparing the brand mark on your piece to images shared online to get a rough idea of the timeframe during which it was produced. From there, you can look at catalogues and references to identify the pattern and get a clearer picture of its manufacturing date. If your piece was made 20 to 99 years ago, it is vintage. Older pieces are antiques, while newer ones are contemporary. Should you run into any difficulty, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can help you with the dating process. Explore a collection of Spode pottery on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
    Whether you can put Spode china in the dishwasher varies. Some pieces are dishwasher-safe and will be marked as such on their backs or bottoms. Other pieces cannot be safely placed in the dishwasher. If your Spode china doesn't have a dishwasher-safe marking, err on the side of caution and hand wash it only. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of Spode china.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    Most 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, 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 ExpertNovember 20, 2024
    Yes, some Spode pottery is worth something. 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, and as a result, pieces produced by the maker are often in high demand. Potential selling prices of Spode pottery vary based on type, style, pattern, age, condition and other factors. If you'd like to know how much items in your collection may be worth, consider using the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Spode pottery.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    Whether Spode is made in England or China depends on the piece. Spode continues to manufacture some of its iconic china at its workshop in Stoke-on-Trent, England, which has been in continuous operation for more than 250 years. However, some lines now originate from factories in China that adhere to the brand's strict quality standards. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Spode pieces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    Whether 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    No, Spode Christmas Tree is not still made in England. In 2006, the British maker began producing its iconic holiday china in Malaysia. Pieces made prior to 2006 originated at the company's workshop in Stoke-on-Trent, England. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Spode china from some of the world's top sellers.

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