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 English Porcelain Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf Pattern Tea Cup & Saucer
By Copeland Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain cup and saucer. In the Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf pattern, mimicking the Chinese Export pattern of the late 18th ...
Porcelain
Antique English Porcelain Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf Pattern Tea Cup & Saucer
By Copeland Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain cup and saucer. In the Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf pattern, mimicking the Chinese Export pattern of the late 18th Ce...
Porcelain
Antique English Porcelain Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Pattern Tea Cup & Saucer
By Copeland & Garrett Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain cup & saucer. Attributed to Copeland Spode. In the Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf pattern, mimicking the Chinese Export pattern of the late 18th Century. Both cup and saucer have a gilt scalloped rim, are decorated in underglaze blues, and cold painted in reds, purples, and greens. Each is richly gilt. Simply a wonderful early English tea cup and saucer! Date: Early 19th Century Overall Condition: They are in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Condition Details: There is fine and tight crazing visible to the saucer (mostly on the underside). Otherwise each cup and saucer have tiny spots of crazing here and there, some rubbing to the gold, and some wear to the enamel decoration. Otherwise, there are some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Attributed to Spode Copeland Pattern: Pseudo Tobacco Leaf...
Porcelain
Antique Signed 18th Century Sevres Porcelain Floral Cornflower Cup & Saucer
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique French porcelain cup & saucer pair. By Sevres. In a blue Cornflower pattern. Each with blue floral decoration with gilt accents to the rim, footrim, and body. The saucer also with a pink flower to its center. Marked 'Bo' - likely for painter Henry-Germain Boileau fils. Circa 1792. Fully marked to the base of each. Simply a wonderful Sevres cup and saucer...
Porcelain
Antique Italian Doccia Topographical Porcelain Neoclassical Cup and Saucer
By Doccia Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Italian Doccia Topographical porcelain neoclassical cup & saucer. By Doccia Porcelain Manufactory circa 1820. With pa...
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Bowl & Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain tea cup and saucer. With orange floral painted decoration on a cream porcelain ground. Simply a wonderful ...
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
Very Large Antique Worcester Porcelain Cup & Saucer Hand Painted England C. 1820
By Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester
Located in Katonah, NY
This large cup and saucer were hand-painted by Flight Barr and Barr Worcester at the Worcester Porcelain factory around 1820. The vibrant blue ground features an extraordinary shade ...
Porcelain
Antique Derby “Worcester” Pattern Porcelain Cup and Saucer, circa 1885
Located in Nottingham, GB
A fine late 19th-century Derby porcelain cup and saucer decorated in the highly attractive “Worcester” pattern and dating to circa 1885. Both pieces feature elegant fluted bodies en...
Porcelain
Antique First Period Dr Wall Worcester Lily Pattern Cup and Saucer, circa 1770
Located in Nottingham, GB
A rare First Period Worcester porcelain cup and saucer decorated in the Lily pattern and dating to the 1770s. Produced during the Dr Wall period, the set comprises a matching cup an...
Porcelain
An exquisite and rare early 19t C Spode cabinet cup and saucer circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
An exquisite and rare early 19t C Spode cabinet cup and saucer. This beautiful and richly decorated Spode cabinet cup and saucer were made at this high quality English porcelain fact...
Porcelain
First Period Dr. Wall Worcester Antique Porcelain Tea Cup Coffee Cup & Saucer
By 1st Period Worcester Dr. Wall
Located in Katonah, NY
This First Period Worcester Porcelain trio is hand-painted in the Old Japan Star Pattern. It comprises a teacup, coffee cup, and saucer made in 18th-century England circa 1770. The s...
Porcelain
