Spode Dinnerware
In the early 1760's, a man who as a six-year old had watched his father buried in a pauper's grave, eventually opened his own small pottery. In the space of the next thirty years he was to make a unique contribution to ceramic art, and found a tradition of excellence that continues to this day.
In 1784, Josiah Spode perfected the process of blue underglaze printing on earthenware, which, as the history books record, was not only enough to ensure his reputation for posterity, but was the essential catalyst for the phenomenal development of English tableware that was to follow. He then went on to make the single most important discovery in the history of his industry — the formula for Fine Bone China — which was to make the name, Spode, famous throughout the world.
Josiah Spode's outstanding skills and creativity were to produce the two most important developments in English ceramics:
- The perfection of blue under-glaze printing
- The development of the formula for bone china
Both remain in production at Spode today on the same factory site where they were developed at the end of the 18th Century.
In 1784 William Copeland went to work for Josiah's son, Josiah II, in London becoming an equal partner in 1805 and sole administrator in 1812. His son William Taylor Copeland became a partner in 1824 and sole owner in 1833. The firm remained in the Copeland family until 1966. The Spode brand name was used alongside the Copeland name throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, often labeled Copeland late Spode. In 1970, to commemorate the founder, the name was changed to Spode.
The Current Spode Microwave-Safe Patterns
The following patterns are considered current Spode patterns. If you do not see your favorite pattern listed here, visit the Discontinued & Current Patterns section for a catalog of all Spode patterns that we have identified.
The Current Spode Fine China Pattern
The following current Spode pattern is trimmed in gold. While beautiful for creating elegant table settings for formal dining, it is not safe for use in the microwave oven.
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