🎨 Part 1: The Birth of a Pottery Empire (1770–1797)

Josiah Spode I: The Visionary Founder

• 1733: Born in Staffordshire, England.
• 1749: Apprenticed under Thomas Whieldon (mentor to Josiah Wedgwood).
• 1770: Established Spode’s pottery factory in Stoke-on-Trent, the heart of England’s ceramics industry.

Revolutionary Innovations

1. Bone China (1799)
2. Underglaze Blue Transfer Printing (1780s)

🏛️ Part 2: The Golden Age (1797–1833)

Josiah Spode II: Expanding the Legacy

• Took over after his father’s death (1797).
• Key Contributions:

The Spode Aesthetic

• Iconic Patterns:
• Signature Traits:

🌍 Part 3: Global Dominance (1833–1970)

The Copeland Era (1833–1970)

• 1833: Spode’s partner William Copeland took over, renaming the firm "Copeland & Garrett" (1833–1847).
• 1847–1970: Marks evolved to "Copeland Spode" and later "Spode Copeland."
• Notable 20th-Century Releases:

Challenges & Adaptations

• 1970s: Struggled against cheap imports; merged with Royal Worcester (1976).
• 2009: Acquired by Portmeirion Group, ensuring Spode’s survival.

🔍 Part 4: The Collector’s Guide

How to Date Spode Pieces

(Backstamp Timeline)

EraMarkingsNotes1770–1805Impressed/painted "SPODE"Extremely rare1813–1833"Spode Stone China"Rustic typefaces1833–1847"COPELAND & GARRETT"Transitional period1847–1891"Copeland Spode"Often includes "England" post-18911930s–1950s"Spode" + crownArt Deco influences1970–2009Cursive "Spode"Post-Royal Worcester merger2009–Present"Spode Est. 1770"Portmeirion ownership

Most Valuable Spode Pieces

• Pre-1830 Blue Italian (darker cobalt, thicker glaze).
• Regency-era gilded tea sets.
• "Christmas Tree" with original box (1938–1950s).

Spotting Fakes

• ❌ "Made in China" stamps (authentic Spode is UK-made).
• ❌ Modern fonts on "antique" pieces.

🧽 Part 5: Care & Preservation

For All Spode:

✔ Handwash (preserves gilding; dishwashers fade prints).
✔ Microwave-safe (unless metallic accents).
❌ Never freeze, bake, or use metal utensils.

Stain Removal

• Baking soda paste for tea/coffee stains.
• Sunlight trick: Place wet piece in sun to naturally bleach stains.

Chip Repair

• Food-safe epoxy (e.g., Porcelaine 911) for functional pieces.
• Gold leaf pen for gilded edges.

✨ Part 6: Spode’s Cultural Legacy

• Museums: V&A, British Museum, Spode Museum Trust (40,000+ artifacts).
• Pop Culture: Featured in "Downton Abbey," "Bridgerton," and royal collections.
• Modern Revival: Portmeirion reissues classics like "Blue Italian" with updated durability.

📜 Final Thought

"Spode isn’t just pottery—it’s a living museum of British craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless beauty."

🇬🇧 The British Legacy (1770–2008)

Made in England

• All original Spode pieces were crafted in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
• Key factories:

Why Stoke-on-Trent?

✔ Local materials (china clay, bone ash).
✔ Skilled artisans (hand-painting, transferware expertise).
✔ Protected heritage (Spode’s archives remain in the UK).

🌏 Spode’s Expansion Abroad (21st Century)

1. Outsourcing to China (2000s–Present)

• Reason: Cost efficiency while maintaining design control.
• How it works:

2. Identifying Chinese-Made Spode

✔ Backstamp:

• Modern pieces may include "Designed in England, Made in China".
• Older marks (pre-2000s) will not have this.
  ✔ Quality Differences:
• Thinner glaze on some Chinese-produced items.
• Less raised detailing vs. vintage Stoke-made pieces.

3. Portmeirion’s Stance

• Official line:"While some Spode products are now made overseas, our heritage collections (e.g., Blue Italian, Christmas Tree) remain crafted in Stoke-on-Trent."
• Exceptions:

⚖️ Pros & Cons of Overseas Production

ProsCons✅ Affordable pricing❌ Purists prefer UK-made✅ Wider availability❌ Slight quality variations✅ Maintains Spode’s design DNA❌ Less artisan handwork

🔍 How to Spot Authentic Spode Today

1. Check the backstamp:
2. Feel the weight: Stoke-made pieces are often heavier.
3. Inspect the glaze: UK production has deeper, richer colors.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Pre-2009 Spode = 100% British.
• Post-2009 Spode = Mix of UK and Chinese production.
• Heritage lines (Blue Italian, etc.) still made in Stoke.
• Always check the stamp if provenance matters to you.