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Spode Soup Tureens

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
Copeland Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Sauce Tureen & Cover
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Copeland-Late Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Sauce Tureen & Cover, circa 1847. From a large collection of Greek Pattern Objects- please inqui...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Soup Tureens

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Pair Large Antique English Porcelain Vases Made circa 1810
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair are outstanding Regency period vases! The vases function as ice pails with liners to hold ice or, if you like, flowers. Made by Spode circa 1810, they are large, lavishly ...
Category

19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Soup Tureens

Materials

Porcelain

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Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
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Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Neoclassical red transferware tile made by Spode 1806-1810, with the ‘Refreshments for Phliasian Horseman’ pattern. Sir William Hamilton’s Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities, first published in 1766 by Pierre d’Hancarville, was a landmark publication in English design. It intended to disseminate the Antique style through its engravings of Attic pottery. The catalog’s faithful reproductions of Classical vases led British potteries, including Spode, to adapt or even copy the ancient art for modern life. These Spode Greek pattern tiles reflect the major influence of Hamilton’s catalog on English Neoclassicism. The central scene was taken directly from the catalog. This tile can be dated to a narrow window of production in the Spode factory, 1806-1810. During that time, Spode used a technique known as the “Pluck and Dust” method to print in red transfer designs onto creamware. Using this method, source prints were transferred overglaze using tissue imprinted with a very faint rendition of the design outlined in sticky oil. The decorator applied the tissue to the object then carefully “plucked” or pulled it away, leaving the sticky oil design behind. Then, a finely-ground enamel color was “dusted” onto the surface, sticking to any areas that had the oil. A final firing at a low temperature in the enamel kiln made the pattern permanent. The Pluck and Dust technique improved upon bat-printing and enabled larger designers to be transferred. It was short-lived, however, as under-glaze transfer printing soon took over as the preferred method for producing transferwares. Dimensions: 5 in. x 5 in. x 1/4 in. Condition: Excellent. Slight chip to the upper left corner measuring approximately 0.9 cm. in length. Provenance: The Collection of Nancy and Andrew Ramage Jonathan Horne...
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Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
H 5 in W 5 in D 0.25 in
Blue & White Tureen & Platter “India Temple” Pattern
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Tureen & Platter “India Temple” Pattern
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Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Ceramic

Circa 1830s Ironstone Sauce Tureen
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1830s English Neoclassical Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Circa 1830s Ironstone Sauce Tureen
Circa 1830s Ironstone Sauce Tureen
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circa 1930s, Jugtown Covered Soup Tureen by Ben Own I
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1930s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Spode Soup Tureens

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Pottery

Early 19th Century Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
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Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Spode Soup Tureens

Materials

Earthenware, Creamware

Antique English Ironstone Diamond Patent Covered Sauce Tureen with Underplate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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1887, Aesthetic-Style Ceramic Complete English Sauce Tureen
Located in Catania, Sicilia
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Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Pair of English Porcelain Floral Covered Vases, circa 1840
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Pair of English porcelain floral covered vases, circa 1840.
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Previously Available Items
19th Century Green Victorian Spode Majolica Tureen with Ladle and Stand
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Spode, England Soup Tureen and Platter "Tradewinds" Classic Sail/Clipper Ships
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Pair Antique Spode Tureens Painted in Orange Pink and Green
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An Antique Spode Creamware Soup Tureen with Oak leaves and Acorns
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A Pair of Spode Creamware Sauce Tureens with Stands and Ladles
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19th Century English Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Pottery

19th Century Spode Gilt and Enamel Dark Orange Soup Tureen
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19th Century English Antique Spode Soup Tureens

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Spode soup tureens for sale on 1stDibs.

Spode soup tureens 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 soup tureens, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original soup tureens 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 soup tureens by and Minton. Prices for Spode soup tureens can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $700 and can go as high as $7,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $838.
Questions About Spode Soup Tureens
  • 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 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 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 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 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 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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