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A Set of Eight Spode Dessert Plates with Grapevines and Purple Grapes

$1,200List Price

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Spode

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.

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Openwork Dessert Plates

$2,000 / set

H 0.75 in Dm 7.5 in

Spode Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Set of Dinner Plates-33 Plates

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Spode Pottery neo-Classical Greek Pattern blue set of dinner plates-33 plates Zeus in His Chariot, Early-19th Century The Spode pottery underglaz...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Spode Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Set of Dinner Plates-33 Plates

$9,000 / set

H 1 in Dm 9.75 in

Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Oval Dessert Dishes

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Spode neo-classical Greek pattern blue oval dessert dishes, "A Domestic Ceremony", Early 19th century The Spode Greek pattern pottery dishes a...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Pottery, Pearlware

Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Oval Dessert Dishes

$1,000 / set

H 1.75 in W 10 in D 6.75 in

Regency Period Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Dessert Dishes- a Pair

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Regency Spode neo-Classical Greek pattern blue rectangular dessert dishes, Four figures in battle, Early 19th century The Spode Greek pattern pott...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Regency Period Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Dessert Dishes- a Pair

$1,400 / set

H 1 in W 9.25 in D 6.5 in

Twelve Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Spode Neo-classical Greek pattern blue soup plates, Refreshment for Phliasian Horseman, Set of twelve (12) Early-19th century The Spode Greek pattern ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Twelve Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates

$4,200

H 1.5 in Dm 9.25 in

Spode Pottery Large Neoclassical Greek Pattern Blue Pair of Dishes

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Spode pottery neoclassical Greek pattern blue pair of dishes, Bacchus Mounted on a Panther, Early-19th century The Spode Greek pattern pottery sha...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Platters and Serveware

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Spode Pottery Large Neoclassical Greek Pattern Blue Pair of Dishes

$2,000

H 1.75 in W 14.75 in D 11.25 in

Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile

By Spode, Josiah Spode

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...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Earthenware, Creamware

Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile

$1,500

H 5 in W 5 in D 0.25 in

Set of 12 Dinner Plates and 8 Dessert Plates in Bone China by Spode

By Spode

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Set of twelve Spode bone china dinner plates with characteristically English hand painted mixed floral bouquets in vivid polychrome enamels. The plate...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Dinner Plates

Materials

Enamel

Set of 12 Dinner Plates and 8 Dessert Plates in Bone China by Spode

$1,200 / set

H 0.5 in Dm 10 in

Early 19th Century Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile

By Josiah Spode, Spode

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

A Neoclassical red transferware tile made by Spode 1806-1810, with the ‘Zeus in His Chariot’ 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. Provenance: The Collection of Nancy and Andrew Ramage Jonathan Horne...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Earthenware, Creamware

Early 19th Century Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile

$1,500

H 5 in W 5 in D 0.25 in

Spode Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Deep Dish

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Spode pottery neo-classical Greek pattern blue deep dish, Bacchus Mounted on a Panther, Early-19th Century The Spode Greek pattern pottery shaped rectangular dish with cantered...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Spode Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Deep Dish

$1,300

H 2 in W 14.25 in D 11 in

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A Drabware Tray with Handle Made by Spode England Circa 1825

By Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

This rare Spode drabware rectangular tray was made for slices of bread or small breakfast rolls. Made in England by Spode circa 1825, it has a deep, rich color. The carrying handle i...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Pottery

Materials

Pottery

A Drabware Tray with Handle Made by Spode England Circa 1825

$540

Pair Antique Spode Shell-Shaped Dishes Orange and Blue Pattern England Circa 182

By Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

Spode made this pair of fine quality shell-shaped dishes in England in the early 19th century, circa 1820. The dishes were printed in shades of orange and blue Orange and blue is t...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Pair Antique Spode Shell-Shaped Dishes Orange and Blue Pattern England Circa 182

$340

Pair Antique Spode Oval Shaped Dishes Decorated with Waterlilies England C-1825

By Josiah Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

The most exceptional aspect of this pair of dishes is the fabulous gilding lavished over the cobalt borders. As a less prominent feature, the gilding carries throughout the decoratio...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Pearlware

Pair Antique Spode Oval Shaped Dishes Decorated with Waterlilies England C-1825

$580 / set

Pair Antique Spode Green Grapes Pattern Dishes England Circa 1820

By Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

This pair of Spode pearlware shell-shaped dishes features the exquisite "Grapes" pattern. Rich purple grapes, ochre/brown branches, and gorgeous two-tone green leaves cover the entir...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Pearlware

Pair Antique Spode Green Grapes Pattern Dishes England Circa 1820

$480 / set

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

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Spode Dollar Pattern Coffee Cups, Set of 9, English Porcelain Circa 1820

$670 / set

Pair Large Blue and White Spode Greekware Platters England C-1810 Neoclassical

By Spode

Located in Katonah, NY

Spode made these fabulous Greekware platters circa 1810. They are decorated in the neoclassical "Greek" pattern with classical figures and mythological scenes based on ancient Greek and Roman art. The dramatic pattern shows a scene from Olympic history. At the center, Cynisca wins the four-horse chariot race at the Greek Olympic Games in 392 BC. She became the first woman to win at the Olympics.** They are large, measuring 20" x 15.5" x 1.75" deep Each rectangular platter is printed in blue with leaf and berry ground, radiating medallions, and urns containing classical scenes. This was the first multi-scene pattern introduced at the Spode factory. Dimensions: 20" x 15.5" 1.75" deep Condition: Excellent. Price: $ 4,200 The central image was taken from a 1791 collection of engravings...

Category